Hostile takeover

By Pete Metzger

Jan. 1, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

What’s our New Year’s resolution? That’s easy. Kill more “hostiles.”

Luckily, a slew of new military-themed games are here to fuel the bloodlust.

So grab the trigger-laden controller and don your headset microphone -- sold separately in most cases -- and prepare to be deployed into “SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALS,” “Rainbow Six 3” and “Counter-Strike.”

Sass for the rookies

In “SOCOM,” you lead a team of SEALS into battle with the intention of thwarting terrorists by using “extreme prejudice.” However, getting your team to carry out your orders can be a little complicated.

Using the headset, players pursue mission objectives by ordering around fellow team members. But because the game makers have given you so many different ways to command your team -- seems like all that’s missing is “drop and give me 20, maggot” -- getting the wording right is essential. Stutter or trip over some words and expect some sass in your earphone.

As your team moves through the Albanian countryside -- the first mission in the game -- staying out of sight proves difficult. One way to know danger is imminent is when the music gets all foreboding. Either that, or when somebody starts shooting at you.

Graphically, the fog and rain effects -- as well as the frighteningly realistic facial expressions on the cut screens -- add a nice touch to this well-rendered title. Others are wanting: After you dispose of an enemy, his body falls limp onto whatever is under him, and sometimes through whatever is under him. Kinda like if you dropped a corpse on a big bowl of Jell-O.

Sadly -- just like real life -- take too many hits and die, without the opportunity to save your progress. Complete 95% of your mission objectives in “Operation Rapid Kill” but take a slug in the chest and croak? Too bad; start over.

Like the other two games, this one also features online play. But before heading off into that brave, new (cyber) world, make sure you have your orders straight.

‘Rainbow’ warriors

Like smack for a junkie, “Rainbow Six 3” is easily the most addictive of the “squad-based counter-terror” simulators.

Controlling your team in this one is easy and sass free. Put your crosshairs on a door, say “open and clear” into the headset, and sit back and watch as teammates Louis Loiselle, Eddie Price and Dieter Weber carry out your evil bidding, just like winged monkeys.

While the graphics in this one aren’t quite as pretty as they are in “SOCOM,” the game play is more exciting and nerve-racking. When those bogeys pop up and start shooting at your character, it feels as if your heart wants to jump out of your chest, grab a controller and help out in the gun battle.

And while in none of the games are there ways to heal your wounds, in “Rainbow” you can at least save your progress in mid-mission, unlike “SOCOM.”

Sure, when you pay another visit to the “hostile” that took you out, he’ll be in the same place. But he won’t be doing the same thing.

Once gamers ruin all of the terrorists’ evil plans, they can play various versions of the game online, for even more hours spent with a quickened pulse.

Heart medicine not included.

No sustaining story

In “Counter-Strike” you get your choice of being a bad guy or a good guy. You can try to detonate a bomb or try to defuse it; you can try to keep the hostages imprisoned or work for their freedom.

Sadly, that’s about it.

There are two modes of play here: hostage rescue or demolition. Sure there are 18 different maps to play on -- and more available to download -- but that’s it.

There is no story line to sink your teeth into, and no cut screens to get you excited about the coming task.

The characters also leave a lot to be desired. You’ve got the terrorist model, the counter-terrorist model and the hostages. Each model is identical, without variation.

Worse, on some maps, the bad guys have similar clothes to the good guys. The only thing that tells you is a giant sentence in the middle of the screen indicating whether it’s a friend or foe.

Games

“SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALS”

Good: Great imaging, decent missions.

Bad: Too much sass back for missed orders.

Details: PlayStation 2 platform; $49.99. Rating: mature (blood, violence).

“Rainbow Six 3”

Good: Addictive game play; smooth controls.

Bad: Hard to come down off the high.

Details: Xbox platform; $49.99. Rating: mature (blood, violence).

“Counter-Strike”

Good: Like a good game of paintball, without all the exercise.

Bad: Not much for one player to get excited about.