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The next major feature of Urban Operations is the inclusion of several "made for" multiplayer maps. These maps all emphasize the theme of Urban Operations, CQB, and add a certain flair of their own to the game. The maps include:

• Chemical Compound
• Graveyards
• Old Train Tracks
• Snow Base
• Storage Depot
• Training Maze
• Underwater Base

Fig. 5. New missions and more fun

As well, the City Street Large, and Double Killhouse are available (and were included with Rogue Spear). Bunkers, a map originally released via an Internet patch, gets its first CD release with Urban Operations. For a further look at these maps, head over to the CombatSim preview of Urban Operations (http://www.combatsim.com/htm/mar00/urbanops1.htm). The point I wanted to bring up with these maps was Redstorm's efforts at emphasizing the fantastic multiplayer gaming that has made the Rainbow Six line so absolutely popular and long-lasting. Awarded the best multiplayer game for 1999 by PC Gamer, Rainbow Six took the multiplayer world by storm.

The one-shot, one-kill concept made it an entirely new type of the game. And because of this one-shot, one-kill game style, Urban Operations is about as intense as any game could possibly be. In this game, there are no handy sniper spots located far away from opponents; instead, with tools like the heartbeat sensor jammer (which make players impossible detect), the games quickly become one of exceptionally tense, close quarters, firefights. Some might say it's almost Quake-like with its in-your-face gaming, but they'll quickly change their mind when a stream of bullets come screaming through them from a baddie just thirty yards away. Since first picking up a press release beta of Urban Operations, I've really liked how Redstorm approached this CQB theme, and for that reason alone Urban Operations is an excellent choice.

Fig. 6. Improved wounded effects

To steal a line from some infomercials, "but wait, there's more!" Yep, Redstorm really made this mission pack worth every penny by adding five of the original (and much loved) Rainbow Six maps to the Urban Operations mission pack. Each of the Rainbow Six maps (and their respective missions) were retooled into the Rogue Spear engine with new textures and some key topical changes. The five maps brought back to life are:

• Amazon
• Bio Lab (Hotzone)
• Estate
• Hacienda
• Skyscraper

Personally, I was really pleased with the maps they selected, although it's pretty easy to see that not everyone will share Redstorm's choices. Nonetheless, these maps are impeccable reworked and being able to play them in the Rogue Spear environment is truly a treat. I never thought I could be nostalgic about a something that's been gone for less than a year.