Graphics

The Good

SWAT 3 distinguishes itself with excellent graphics and realistic, well laid out levels. Models of team members are extremely detailed. You'll see your squad decked out in full body armor, helmets, boots, Nomex gloves, the works. Weapon models are well detailed down to the mini mag light slung underneath the barrel. Faces are done particularly well, especially if you compare them to Rogue Spear and other similar games. You'll actually see your guys blink once in a while in SWAT 3, which is a nice touch. For those of you into comparisons, we felt that SWAT's graphics were probably a notch or two above Rogue Spear, which is impressive because this is the first SWAT game to use a first person engine.

Can't you read?

SWAT uses Leatherman too!

Settings

Level architecture was a definite highlight of the game. Whether you're supposed to be in a church, a dance club, a bank, an air traffic control tower, or a regular house, the maps were drawn in a believable scale and laid out in a logical fashion. The set designers thoughtfully furnished the rooms with desks, closets, working light switches, beds, and chairs. The best part was the mirrors - sometimes I'd bust into a bathroom and almost shoot at my reflection in the mirror! A realistic shooter like SWAT 3 needs realistic settings; this game doesn't disappoint in that area.

Highly sensitive situations

You guys go right ahead

Animation

Animation was generally solid - team members look very fluid when they aim their weapons and creep around. It's also neat to see them drop their aim to the ground if you cross their line of fire. SWAT 3's animation tends to fall short only when characters like hostages or terrorists go into a panic. Seeing a frightened suspect run around was somewhat disappointing - they tend to look too stiff and upright.

Garcia takes the lead

A flashbang blinds your foes

The flashlight

The flashlight actually works to light up shadowy areas, but it's not quite as advanced as other flashlight's we've seen. The light doesn't bounce off of mirrors, and shining it at an angled surface doesn't seem to diffuse the light properly - it's basically like a lit ring that shows up wherever you point. We don't even get a clichéd lens flare if a light is shined on the camera, the light just kind of turns to a hazy blur.