Anyone who's already downloaded and played the free single-player of Rainbow Six Vegas through Live won't be in the least bit surprised to learn that Ubisoft's latest tactical first and third-person has already gone gold prior to is release on the on 20 November (US), 24 November (UK).

Having spent more time than we perhaps should have with the demo, it's fairly safe to say that Rainbow Six Vegas-despite the ridiculous contention thrown up by its terrorist-based content and choice of geographic location-will be the perfect stop-gap for those 360 players not fully sated by the of Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. Actually, it's also possible that Rainbow Six Vegas may well emerge as an even better game considering its newly implemented 'cover controls' are easily executed and unfailingly exciting as an addition to already top-flight gameplay; oh, and it looks gorgeous, sounds superb, and plays like a dream-thus far.

And, if you remain unconvinced by that brief but glowing summation, then nab the demo for yourself and simply indulge in a spot of inverted abseiling outside a Vegas casino while swiftly assigning priority targets to your accompanying team, and then bursting in on naughty unsuspecting terrorists. Indeed, the orginal sin city is the ideal place to allow Vegas to wash over you in all its joyously golden sin.

PC, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable versions of Rainbow Six Vegas will be released closer to the end of 2006.

By Stevie Mostyn