FindAlternative
Back to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield vs Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

Compare
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven ShieldStrategic tactical shooter where teamwork decides the mission.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena SwordAn intense tactical shooter expansion continuing the Raven Shield campaign.
Overview
Description

Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield puts players in the shoes of elite counter‑terrorism operatives, demanding careful planning and precise execution. The game blends realistic weapon handling with a deep planning phase, letting you plot routes, assign equipment, and coordinate squads. Set across global hotspots, the title offers a robust single‑player campaign, split‑screen co‑op, and online multiplayer modes that reward communication and strategy. Its gritty realism and tactical depth have made it a benchmark for the genre.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword is an official expansion pack for Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield, taking elite counter-terrorism operatives to new global locations. Players must meticulously plan and execute missions against dangerous criminal threats across a variety of complex new maps. The expansion builds upon the critically acclaimed tactical gameplay of its predecessor, introducing new weapons, multiplayer maps, and a challenging new single-player storyline designed for fans of realistic military simulations.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
First-Person Shooters
First-Person Shooters
Best for
Tactical shooter enthusiasts
Tactical shooter fans and military simulation enthusiasts
Specifications
General
msrp
$49.99
$19.9960%
release date
2003-03-18
2004-03-09
Specifications
developer
Red Storm Entertainment, Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Milan, Red Storm Entertainment, Ubisoft Red Storm
publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Ubisoft Entertainment
age rating
ESRB M, PEGI 16
PEGI 16, ESRB M
multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Single player, Multiplayer
critic score
82/100+3%
80/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Deep strategic planning system
  • Realistic weapon behavior
  • Strong emphasis on teamwork
  • Varied multiplayer modes
  • Adds a substantial number of new maps and missions to Raven Shield
  • Maintains the deep tactical realism and planning elements of the series
  • Includes exciting new weapons and equipment options
  • Robust multiplayer offerings extend replayability significantly
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for newcomers
  • Limited graphics by modern standards
  • Multiplayer matchmaking can be slow
  • Requires the base game Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield to play
  • Steep learning curve can be punishing for casual shooter fans
  • Dated graphics by modern standards
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

More alternatives & similar tools

Alternatives to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

View all →
SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle
SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle

Tactical police action with realistic SWAT team command

Compare
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas

Tactical action meets high‑stakes Vegas heists.

Compare
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

Lead elite squads in realistic tactical warfare across the globe

Compare
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword

An intense tactical shooter expansion continuing the Raven Shield campaign.

Compare

Alternatives to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword

View all →
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mission Pack: Eagle Watch
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mission Pack: Eagle Watch

Official add-on for Rainbow Six featuring 5 new missions and weapons.

Compare
Rainbow Six: Covert Ops Essentials
Rainbow Six: Covert Ops Essentials

Experience nine all-new tactical missions and comprehensive combat training in this standalone expansion.

Compare
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Critical Hour
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Critical Hour

Return to tactical roots with classic maps and strategic warfare.

Compare
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear - Urban Operations
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear - Urban Operations

Lead elite counter-terrorist operatives through intense metropolitan combat scenarios.

Compare

The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield is the core game offering full single‑player, co‑op, and multiplayer for a one‑time $49.99 price; Athena Sword is an expansion that adds maps, missions, and weapons for $19.99 but requires Raven Shield to play.

Key differences

  • Athena Sword needs the base Raven Shield to run, while Raven Shield is standalone.
  • Raven Shield includes split‑screen co‑op for two players; Athena Sword does not mention split‑screen.
  • Athena Sword adds new single‑player missions and multiplayer maps, expanding content beyond Raven Shield's original offering.
  • Price: Raven Shield costs $49.99 versus Athena Sword’s $19.99, but Athena Sword’s value depends on owning the base game.
  • Both have similar graphics quality (dated by modern standards), but Raven Shield’s destructible environments are highlighted.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

Raven Shield offers both campaign and split‑screen co‑op, providing more varied play styles than Athena Sword’s expansion‑only content.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

Platform availability

Both are listed for the same platforms (implied by shared developers/publishers); no distinct platform advantage noted.

Tie

Price & value

Athena Sword is $19.99 versus Raven Shield $49.99, but only adds value if you already own Raven Shield.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword

Multiplayer / co‑op

Raven Shield supports up to 16 players online and split‑screen co‑op; Athena Sword only mentions online multiplayer.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

Content & replayability

Athena Sword adds numerous new maps, missions, and weapons, extending replayability beyond Raven Shield’s original content.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword

Difficulty & accessibility

Both share a steep learning curve; no difference in accessibility is specified.

Tie

Graphics & performance

Both are described as having dated graphics by modern standards; no clear graphical advantage.

Tie

Choose Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield if…

Buy if you want a complete standalone tactical shooter with co‑op and no extra purchase needed.

Choose Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword if…

Buy if you already own Raven Shield and want extra missions, maps, and weapons for less cost.

Common questions

Do I need to buy Raven Shield to play Athena Sword?

Yes, Athena Sword requires the base game Raven Shield to run.

Which version includes split‑screen co‑op?

Raven Shield includes split‑screen co‑op; Athena Sword does not mention this feature.

Is the lower price of Athena Sword a better deal?

Athena Sword is cheaper ($19.99) but only adds value if you already own Raven Shield; otherwise you need both.