Related Articles

When Swat 3 was released to the public last year it was like a shot in the arm for tactical games. Up until the release of Swat 3, Rainbow Six was the only game that offered realistic tactical gameplay. What Swat 3 brought to the table was a more engaging game coupled with much better graphics and some would say, a better command system. As far as the single player element was concerned Swat 3 was a step up from the tactical champion, Rainbow Six. However good its graphics and gameplay were, Swat 3 failed to deliver any kind of multiplayer experience which is the lifeline of every good tactical game. So with the lack of multiplayer Swat 3 became a game highly regarded by many, but ultimately couldn’t maintain its tactical edge. Sierra promised to eventually add multiplayer to the game, which brings us to Swat 3 Elite Edition. Elite Edition includes the long awaited and highly anticipated multiplayer addition, as well as the 16 original missions and five brand-new missions that bring the total number of missions to 21. On top of that, Elite Edition offers full support for player mods.

For those who own the original Swat 3 the entire Elite Edition package can be downloaded for free, albeit it’s a pretty big download. Elite Edition is centered on events of 2005 when government representatives from around the world arrive at Los Angeles for the signing of the United Nations Nuclear Abolishment Treaty. International terrorist groups have taken advantage of having so many high ranking officials in one place, and are inciting chaos throughout various parts of LA. The five official missions released with Elite Edition are cream of the crop and take the single player game to even greater depths. One of the more notable locations is a Chinese theater that has been stormed by terrorists who oppose the spread of western culture. Several dignitaries and a few civilians are being held hostage in the theater. Your job as an LAPD swat team is to neutralize the terrorists and free the hostages. What is special about this mission is the amount of detail replicated in the theater. You’ll find yourself ducking between the rows of seats as terrorists assail your team with bullets. Backstage, you’ll have to deal with several rows of stage curtains that create an effectual maze and offer tangos plenty of places to hide.

Another memorable mission takes place in the LA metro where a subway train has been hijacked and some of the suspects are posing as hostages. There are actually two separate trains in this mission, with a rather confusing floor plan that will have you searching every nook and cranny for that one last civilian who is still unaccounted for. It’s the most difficult mission of the bunch but provides some of most intense nail-biting action. A healthy dose of self-control combined with split-second decision making will make you victorious in the subway scenario. Other memorable missions include a large hospital with countless corridors and lots of door breaching. Yet another assignment is to a large residence in the Hollywood hills area where a terrorist organization is holed up in a large mansion. The mission takes place in the dark of night and is rich in a stealthy atmosphere that will have you holding your breath as your swat team sneaks around the place. Underneath the mansion is a labyrinth of tunnels and a shooting range where the terrorists practice their gunnery skills.