Okay, I’m going to be honest. I’m not a “Rainbow Six Siege” guy. In fact, I’ve never really clicked with the series. The hardcore, squad-based first-person gameplay just never felt right for me. But after my hands-on demo of “Rainbow Six Tactics” at Gamescom, I’m eating my words. This game isn’s just good; it’s a revelation, and it quickly became one of the most anticipated games I saw at the show.
Blending Two Worlds
The premise is simple: a group of familiar faces from the “Siege” universe have joined a new Rainbow organization, under the command of Paul Bishop. You’re not directly controlling Bishop; instead, you’re playing as the commander, issuing orders and managing resources. The game seamlessly blends the tactical gameplay of XCOM with the intense firefights and strategic elements of Siege.
Tactical Warfare
The demo started with an infiltration mission into an industrial dock. The core gameplay revolves around moving your operators, setting up overwatch positions, and utilizing their unique abilities. For example, Montagne provides moveable cover, while Glaz can unleash devastating sniper shots across long distances. The absence of fog of war in the exterior areas makes Glaz’s ability even more potent.
Breaching and Beyond
Once inside the warehouse, “Rainbow Six Tactics” truly shines. Instead of simply rushing in, the demo showcased the importance of reconnaissance. Drones, familiar to any “Siege” player, are deployed to scout ahead and reveal enemy positions. This adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, turning XCOM-style scouting into a more strategic phase.
Breach Mode
The breach itself was a masterclass in tactical planning. Every operator’s movement and attack was meticulously planned out beforehand, using the intel gathered by the drones. When the order was given, the squad moved simultaneously, unleashing a hail of bullets that left several enemies neutralized. The environment also reacts to the chaos, with shots and explosions creating breaches in walls and opening up new avenues of attack.
Escort Mission
The final objective involved escorting a bearded man to safety, which was mechanically similar to the opening infiltration but added the complexity of managing “Order Points.” These points could be used to buff your team, but the enemy also had access to them, creating a constant tug-of-war for tactical advantage. This seemingly small detail adds another layer of depth to the gameplay and demonstrates the developers’ attention to detail.
While my demo was brief, I left incredibly excited about “Rainbow Six Tactics.” It successfully blends the best elements of XCOM and Siege into something truly special. If you’re a fan of tactical gameplay, this is one game you won’t want to miss.
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