Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Mar 19, 2003
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 103
  3. Negative: 5 out of 103
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  1. DanS.
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    Great game! I played this game before and has real cool intro movies and also great equipment, weapons and many more. I recomend to play, everybody!
  2. AndrewH.
    May 9, 2003
    9
    Top tactical shooter, a new leap for mister clancy, he really rules over the rest. Andrew Harrison AKA mad man.
  3. KelR.
    Jun 20, 2003
    10
    A serious thrill ride, if you play games online than you HAVE to own this game. The replay value of the game is limitless, and the graphics are so realistic that I actually get a huge adrenaline rush within minutes.
  4. holodoc
    Jan 1, 2010
    10
    People are making a mistake when they say that this is a game. Its not. Its an experience! The one that makes you want to feel every time you die so you can enjoy it even more when you enter the mission again. It sure has some flaws like an unrealistically ruthless precision of terrorist weapons and a stupid hostage AI but not rating this game with 10 would be something I would be ashamed People are making a mistake when they say that this is a game. Its not. Its an experience! The one that makes you want to feel every time you die so you can enjoy it even more when you enter the mission again. It sure has some flaws like an unrealistically ruthless precision of terrorist weapons and a stupid hostage AI but not rating this game with 10 would be something I would be ashamed of. This game is a legend that will always be playable so therefore... "Alpha... Go, go, go!"… Expand
  5. D.G.
    Oct 27, 2003
    10
    Great game more should take a deeper look into it.
  6. DenisT.
    Apr 1, 2003
    9
    Great overall game...It really becomes interesting on the net...Weaponery is awesome, the gadgets great. Immersive and stressfull...WOW...Best 49$ i spent!
  7. DaveC.
    Jul 7, 2003
    10
    Top notch title! The single player campaign is good but playing it on line is where the fun really begins..Superb.
  8. OreoE.
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    Perhaps the mostr realistic, awesome game I have EVER played.
  9. Jeff
    Mar 30, 2008
    10
    This is very similar to Rogue Spear and the 1st Rainbow Six, but it has a lot better graphics, sound, and new missions. This is my favorite shooter of all time, quite realistic. Ubisoft tech support sucks. I bought this game at Best Buy and the CD was corrupted (CRC error), the tech support guy basically told me "Oh well, it's no longer in print" Fortunately, I found an old ISO of This is very similar to Rogue Spear and the 1st Rainbow Six, but it has a lot better graphics, sound, and new missions. This is my favorite shooter of all time, quite realistic. Ubisoft tech support sucks. I bought this game at Best Buy and the CD was corrupted (CRC error), the tech support guy basically told me "Oh well, it's no longer in print" Fortunately, I found an old ISO of it. No thanks to Ubisoft!… Expand
  10. StevenH.
    Oct 17, 2003
    10
    Realism is the key to this game's success.
  11. GrahamM.
    Apr 13, 2004
    10
    You must buy this game!!!
  12. PerkeleenP.
    Apr 23, 2005
    8
    The terrorists are freakin' commandos. They shoot you dead with one shot a pistol when you have a full armor. Lack of realism.
  13. SeanW.
    May 16, 2003
    10
    I just played the multiplayer demo for this today and I was very impressed. I tried out the P90,USP,and the SSG-3000 and it was amazing, so anyone who is dieing to play this game play it quick before you die.
  14. ChrisS
    Dec 25, 2009
    10
    By far the greatest rainbow six game out of the three (not including vegas). This game gave me hours upon hours of enjoyment. As a long time tom clancy fan i have enjoyed all rainbow six games, but 3 has definitly taken the cake, They have prefected this game from the previous ones in so many ways that you will play for hours. The missions are great and diverse, ranging from hostage By far the greatest rainbow six game out of the three (not including vegas). This game gave me hours upon hours of enjoyment. As a long time tom clancy fan i have enjoyed all rainbow six games, but 3 has definitly taken the cake, They have prefected this game from the previous ones in so many ways that you will play for hours. The missions are great and diverse, ranging from hostage rescue, elimination, bomb disarment etc. The planning of each mission is great letting you customise each members layout and waypoint. The only thing that bugged me is sometimes a single terrorist can wipe out your whole team that is under your command or the AI's, but besides that I found this to be one of the best tactical shooters, much better then SWAT series… Expand
  15. Xanifur
    Apr 22, 2013
    10
    Absolutely brilliant. If you like this also check out SWAT 4. This game is pure tactics. Hundreds of hours of my life were in this game. 10/10 agree, this game is a must.
  16. 176-761
    Jan 30, 2013
    10
    I'm big fan of Rogue Spear and Raven Shield just updates RS to a new level. Raven Shield has not the same feeling than Rogue Spear had, but graphic and gameplay update does a lot good. Single player works fine. AI should be able to do some counter-attacs too, it would be nice. With Raven Shield, just make your own plans, equip your team and go kick those terrorist ass!
  17. iddqd4
    Feb 12, 2018
    9
    Упростили планирование тактических действий, добавили на экран оружие, сделали всё более дружелюбней и казуальней, и серия от этого только выиграла.
  18. Tomle1202
    Jun 19, 2022
    7
    The steep learning curve and nonsensical AI make it difficult to love Raven Shield, but once you do, it can actually be quite fun.
  19. bckershaw
    Jun 1, 2021
    10
    Rainbow Six 3: Gold is Raven Shield and Athena Sword. Additionally you can download Iron Wrath expansion on MODDB.com its free. Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow is the console version but they do share attributes for sure.

    The best part about Rainbow Six 3 is that its still online in 2021. After almost 20 years. With updated content like maps, guns, sights and scopes, hd hit effects, models    Rainbow Six 3: Gold is Raven Shield and Athena Sword. Additionally you can download Iron Wrath expansion on MODDB.com its free. Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow is the console version but they do share attributes for sure.

    The best part about Rainbow Six 3 is that its still online in 2021. After almost 20 years. With updated content like maps, guns, sights and scopes, hd hit effects, models and missions. Literally there are thousands of maps. Some great brand new ones from 2017-2021 and even more coming soon.

    Rainbow Six 3 is known to have the best coop experience. Even compared to SWAT 4 say. Both games that were considered to be like brothers so to speak. Came out around the same time, nearly the same engine though Swat 4's version of Unreal 2 is more like 2.5. R6 3 being more deadly, more elite obviously than Swat would be.

    The sheer fact that you can do so many different mission objectives, so many different styles of maps and settings just really brings this came to a whole new level. We also have combined maps from original 1998 Rainbow Six, Rogue Spear and several of those expansions. Even R6 Vegas!

    On top of that... you have amazing options for controlling your backup AI. For some information on that you can check out the community Discord at http://www.R6chat.com if you want more detail. There are some people who just let the backup AI follow them around instead of using them to their full potential though.

    The enemy AI are actually quite advanced. Depending on which map and who set them up. Tangos have 5 different personality traits and a percentage given for each skill. They also have a setting for what to do when they first see you. Some will surrender, run away and bait you (run around a corner and then they will be waiting with another enemy with guns pointed at you hoping that you chase them). Aim and you and fire. Spray at you and fire wildly. They will frag you instantly sometimes as their first reaction. They can also call for backup. They can even hunt you down. They also go towards the sound of your gun if you are not using a silencer. Very cool. Changes the entire feeling of the mission!

    The game also has civilians in some levels that you must look out for. Different from hostages. The civilians can still be harassed by the Tangos... they will use them as human shields randomly or the civilians will run into the line of fire if you shoot near them. Its intense.

    With the addition of ads, iron sights... the game has the most replay value ever. Especially with the new updates.

    Could talk forever about this game... but you are better off joining us sometime for the best coop experience you will ever have.

    This game lays the foundation for skills upon which you can then take into almost any shooter, and even real life, and use them to your advantage when needed. Its as hardcore as it gets.

    We run a large Steam Group as well at http://www.steamcommunity.com/groups/tacticalgamingnetwork

    The Discord: http://www.R6chat.com

    "You're the best of the best. Remember that."

    TDLR: This game is so good that after 20 years we are making a brand new game in UE4/UE5 directly inspired by it!

    Lets squad up sometime!    … Expand
  20. Overvulture
    Nov 9, 2015
    9
    The end of an era, it marks the last great tactical shooter on the market before this series descended into mediocrity. Nothing else since this has come close to equalling its quality of brutal, unforgiving tactics. This is a game that wears its realism on its sleeve and isn't afraid to let you drop dead from one bullet fired from a guy you couldn't even have seen coming. You move slowlyThe end of an era, it marks the last great tactical shooter on the market before this series descended into mediocrity. Nothing else since this has come close to equalling its quality of brutal, unforgiving tactics. This is a game that wears its realism on its sleeve and isn't afraid to let you drop dead from one bullet fired from a guy you couldn't even have seen coming. You move slowly and even walking throws your aim way off. Repeated autofire might as well be fired with your eyes closed. Guns feel weighty and impactful, dropping enemies in one or two torso shots. It's harsh and doesn't feel remotely fair at times, but having smooth, flawless success in this game is more satisfying than any other shooter I've played.

    Unlocking all the maps requires playing through the campaign mode, where the iffy team AI and permanent injuries/death to the squad members can make things frustrating, but if you take the time to plan things out they usually go well. The game has no tolerance for the slightest mistake, for even a single corner left unchecked, and requires awareness and caution you rarely need in other games.

    The real fun comes with friends. Competitive modes are fine, but nothing's better than the sheer teamwork it takes to clear out a whole map in co-op. And the sheer disaster that can strike if any one of you slips up for a moment. Multiplayer no longer functions out of the box, so you'll have to take alternate methods to get it work, such as Hamachi or Tunngle, but it's well worth the effort. Still one of my favourite coop games of all time.    … Expand
  21. gigarambo
    Jan 31, 2020
    10
    The last true Rainbow Six game. Tactical single player action. Very challenging and immersive experience. Extremely wide selection of guns and gear. Deep tactical planning and gameplay. Very realistic gun and damage models.

    There are no FPS games that offer such an experience nowadays. The focus today is on money-making, wide-audience multiplayer shooters. Single player tactical    The last true Rainbow Six game. Tactical single player action. Very challenging and immersive experience. Extremely wide selection of guns and gear. Deep tactical planning and gameplay. Very realistic gun and damage models.

    There are no FPS games that offer such an experience nowadays. The focus today is on money-making, wide-audience multiplayer shooters. Single player tactical shooters do not fit well in this business model and that's the reason why we haven't seen a decent one for almost 15 years (SWAT 4, 2005) ! What a shame. Hopefully, one day a passionate and competent video game studio will take on this task. Maybe then we will finally have a worthy successor to SWAT 4 and Rainbow Six 3.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PC Game of 2003
56
#56 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
40
#40 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. PC Arena
    90
    It’s by far the best-looking and most-realistic game in the series, and finally begins to deliver the team-based tactical gameplay its predecessors haven’t quite pulled off.
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  2. Gamezilla!
    93
    Simply the best tactical shooter on the market. The high level of detail and the wealth of options offer a great amount of replay potential.
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  3. GamePro
    90
    Everything’s been upgraded and/or redone to make tactical team gameplay as cohesive and fun as the series has always been. Just make sure you have a powerful machine to enjoy every aspect of the game.
    Read full review
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