The city is a nightmare of activity. Representatives from around the world have converged on Los Angeles to witness the signing of the United Nations Nuclear Abolishment Treaty. Unfortunately, there are a lot of elements that don’t want that to happen. As a member of SWAT, your job is to go into situations beyond the control of the police, to rescue hostages, put away the bad guys and bring order to chaos. That isn’t always easy.

SWAT 3 Close Quarters Battle Elite Edition from Sierra Studios presents dynamic graphical elements, instantaneous action, nerve-rattling battles and a first-person perspective that will enthrall game players. The action seems so real, the animation is wonderful and the battles require not only firepower, but also strategy.

“Go out there and do the job you were trained to do. Gear up and head out.”

Easier said than done. This program immerses players quickly in the action. Do look for a tutorial to guide you through the basics of the program. You will learn by doing.

You can set the difficulty level down, and adjust the AI (artificial intelligence) of not only your squad, but the enemy as well. However, finding the options is not easy if you don’t read the manual. You must venture to the main screen, then click the eagle icon. There is nothing to indicate that this is the path to the options, but you will find it quickly enough.

Set-up for the game is a process of selecting your squad, gearing up and going out.

There is a freeway sniper, barricaded in a house. You must go in, neutralize the threat. Terrorists have overrun a local television station. Get in, save the hostages and eliminate the threat. Don’t be surprised if your squad starts blasting through windows as you try to gain entry. The enemy has no compunction about attacking when you are sitting there trying to gain entry.

The program is driven by the mouse and keyboard. Your mouse point is your targeting key, then number keys allow you access to the commands needed to carry out the mission. If a squad member is hit and dropped by the enemy, you must clear the room, then call for evacuation. If your character is hit and dies, the mission is over.

While the graphics are exceptional, one problem was encountered. In the television scenario, the squad moved outside (OK, poor planning had reduced the team to one blue squad member, one red squad member and the team leader). There was an invisible wall that prevented further movement in that space, even though there were walls at the other end of the map board. When the squad moved back inside, and began to backtrack, systematically clearing all rooms, one squad member did not follow. Going back through the building revealed the red squad member still outside, trying to navigate back up the stairs. Only through subtle movement and guidance was the character freed up enough to continue in the game.

SWAT 3 Elite Edition is a dynamic program; there is little doubt about that. This program offers an education into the background of SWAT, and provides enough real life details to make it an adrenaline rush. Instant gunfire will have you wheeling about, looking for targets while your squad reacts immediately to the threat.

The sound is superb. Weeping hostages, gas victims coughing, and, of course, terrorists mocking you are all here.

SWAT 3 supports multiplayer action and is rated Mature for animated blood and animated violence.

Install: Medium. The program asks for 550 megs of hard drive space, and is a typical Sierra install – nothing fancy.

Gameplay: 8.5. The map boards are confined areas, and not entirely interactive though the program offers plenty of places for suspects to hide. The detailing is very good.

Graphics: 9.5. You approach a squad member from the side and you’ll swear you can see him glance about and even blink occasionally. Mirrors reflect images and the polygonal figures move very well.

Sound: 9. Nothing like a quiet burst of gunfire to have you wanting to find cover. The audio is explosive and sudden, and really adds to the feel of the game.

Difficulty: 9. Even when you manipulate the difficulty levels and AI of the enemy, you will still find this a challenge. You can also embark on solo missions or career paths, which adds to the continuity of the program.

Concept: 7.5. Though not a new program (it is after all, the third in the series), the program still has enough new feel scenarios to make this a lot of fun.

Overall: 9. Frozen characters don’t help, especially in a firefight, but other than that, this program has all the elements of a terrific time spent. Combine on-site strategy with a first-person shooter, then throw in a little cerebral and intuitive game play, and you have a program that is a blast to play.