SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle vs Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle puts you in the shoes of an elite police unit, demanding careful planning and precise execution in high‑risk scenarios. The game blends first‑person shooting with deep tactical controls, letting you coordinate teammates, breach doors, and negotiate with suspects. Built for PC, the title delivers a gritty, simulation‑style experience that rewards patience and strategic thinking, offering both a compelling single‑player campaign and robust tactical gameplay for fans of realistic shooters.
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.
- Deep tactical command system
- Authentic weapon and equipment handling
- Robust mission editor for custom content
- Highly detailed AI behavior
- Deep strategic planning system
- Realistic weapon behavior
- Strong emphasis on teamwork
- Varied multiplayer modes
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Limited multiplayer modes (single‑player only)
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Limited graphics by modern standards
- Multiplayer matchmaking can be slow
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle
View all →Alternatives to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataTom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield is the safer default for players wanting multiplayer and split-screen co-op, while SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle focuses strictly on a single-player tactical command experience. The main trade-off is multiplayer support versus mission editing tools.
Key differences
- •Multiplayer support: Raven Shield offers online multiplayer for up to 16 players and split-screen co-op, whereas SWAT 3 is single-player only.
- •Mission creation: SWAT 3 features a comprehensive mission editor for custom scenarios, a feature not listed for Raven Shield.
- •Environmental destruction: Raven Shield supports breaching walls and creating new sightlines, while SWAT 3's destruction is strictly limited to doors and windows.
- •Release date and critics: Raven Shield was released in 2003 with an 82/100 critic score, whereas SWAT 3 launched earlier in 1999 with critic score not specified.
Gameplay & fun factor
Both offer deep tactical shooter gameplay with realistic weapon mechanics, dynamic AI, and a steep learning curve.
Platform availability
Specific platforms are not specified for either game in the provided data.
Price & value
Both games share the exact same one-time paid MSRP of $49.99.
Multiplayer / co-op
Raven Shield supports up to 16-player online multiplayer and split-screen co-op, while SWAT 3 is single-player only.
Content & replayability
Raven Shield offers varied multiplayer modes, while SWAT 3 provides a comprehensive mission editor for custom content.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both titles feature a steep learning curve for newcomers and realistic weapon handling.
Graphics & performance
Both games share the exact same drawback of having graphics that are dated or limited by modern standards.
Choose SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle if…
Solo players looking for a custom mission editor and authentic police tactical squad command.
Choose Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield if…
Players wanting online multiplayer, split-screen co-op, and destructible environments for wall breaching.
Common questions
Do both games cost the same?
Yes, both Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield and SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle have an MSRP of $49.99 (paid, one-time).
Can I play multiplayer in SWAT 3?
No, SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle features single-player only with limited multiplayer modes (single-player only).
Which game includes a mission editor?
SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle features a comprehensive mission editor for custom scenarios, which is not mentioned for Raven Shield.






