Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. The final installment is a "must buy" if you're at all curious about the information in the database.
  2. The multiplayer is amazing, and the single-player can be very rewarding if you're willing to go the extra mile, and you have to be willing to spend a lot of time perfecting your skills.
  3. The jewel in the crown of an action/strategy sub-genre best described as "violence with a mission."
  4. The graphics are stunning, making full use of an enhanced Rogue Spear engine and the sounds are equally impressive adding to the thrilling action. The attention to detail is incredible and the tactical knowledge and training manuals are so comprehensive it can become almost like a second job.
  5. CheckOut
    70
    Essentially a multimedia encyclopedia with a few playable levels thrown in, Covert Ops Essentials is mainly for "Rogue Spear" fanatics and those with a passing interesting in counterterrorism.
  6. PC Gamer
    70
    For the money, it's a worthwhile investment, but it could have used more missions. [Jan 2001, p.155]
  7. 64
    In the end the purchase comes down to one simple decision: are you looking for a full-fledged game or a Green Beret's idea of edutainment?
  8. 60
    A nice addition to the Rainbow Six series as a supplement -- especially if you're a history buff and want to learn more about the real-life men and women combating terrorism around the globe.
  9. Nine, cough*three*cough, missions doesn't quite constitute an expansion pack to me.
  10. For those who want to learn more about counter-terrorist practices, Covert Ops is a valuable resource.
  11. Daily Radar
    50
    Combining an informational resource with a full expansion pack would have been a better idea than this greedy effort.
  12. Please would Red Storm kindly take their hands off this poor knackered cash-cow's red-raw udders and do something new? Tango down.
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. AdamR.
    Feb 6, 2002
    8
    The game was good, but it needs more levels in the campaign mode.