The world of turn-based tactics games is experiencing a vibrant resurgence, with titles like Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Fire Emblem, and Gears Tactics leading the charge. Now, Ubisoft is poised to inject fresh blood into the genre with Rainbow Six Tactics, a game that promises to be more than just another tactics title – it aims to redefine what’s possible.
A Familiar Universe, A New Perspective
Developed by Ubisoft Paris and unveiled during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live showcase, Rainbow Six Tactics is slated for release in 2027. I had the exclusive opportunity to witness a 20-minute gameplay demo behind closed doors at Gamescom 2026. A spokesperson from the studio explained that bringing a tactical shooter to this universe felt like a natural evolution, given the series’ inherent focus on strategic planning, even within its traditional third-person and first-person shooting formats.
The development team behind Rainbow Six Tactics boasts impressive credentials, having previously delivered Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope (another exceptional tactics game) and Ghost Recon Breakpoint (a military shooter with a strong emphasis on tactical decision-making). This blend of expertise makes the concept particularly compelling. Furthermore, Rainbow Six Tactics is deeply rooted in the established lore of the series, taking place between years 10 and 11 of Rainbow Six Siege. During this period, the iconic Rainbow task force must be rebuilt amidst a global crisis.
Fans of Rainbow Six Vegas and its sequel will recognize a familiar face: Paul Bishop returns as the leader of this tactical unit. Moreover, 15 operators from Rainbow Six Siege are also present in Tactics. While this is only a fraction of the 70+ characters available in the FPS game, Ubisoft Paris emphasized that each operator was carefully designed to be unique, impactful, and memorable.
Paul Bishop returns as the leader of Rainbow’s tactical unit.
Rainbow Six Tactics features 15 operators from Rainbow Six Siege.
The game is deeply rooted in the established lore of the series.
Developed by Ubisoft Paris, the team behind Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope.
Unveiled during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live showcase.
The game is slated for release in 2027.
A blend of expertise from previous successful titles.
Rainbow Six Tactics aims to redefine what’s possible in the genre.
The game is deeply rooted in the established lore of the series.
A blend of expertise from previous successful titles.
Rainbow Six Tactics aims to redefine what’s possible in the genre.
The game is deeply rooted in the established lore of the series.
A blend of expertise from previous successful titles.
Rainbow Six Tactics aims to redefine what’s possible in the genre.
The game is deeply rooted in the established lore of the series.
A blend of expertise from previous successful titles.
Breach Planning: The Key to Victory
During the demo, I witnessed a tactical unit breaching into a warehouse. While the initial impression resembled that of any other mil-sim tactics game, there was a crucial phase at the beginning that every tactics game should consider implementing: breach planning. Most battles don’t simply begin with all units in predetermined positions; instead, you have this strategic pre-planning phase, essentially a master plan for your turn.
Think of it like chess – before moving a piece, you know the opening strategy, how it will ideally play out, and how to react to your opponent’s moves. In Rainbow Six Tactics, this is precisely what you can do: position all your units and issue orders that execute simultaneously in real-time. You also have complete control over infiltration points, each offering unique advantages – some prioritize stealth, while others favor an aggressive approach. This mechanic is reminiscent of 2024’s excellent Tactical Breach Wizards, which allows breaching through different doors.
For example, you could deploy Nøkk to go invisible and bypass an enemy sniper with an overwatch ability, then have her shotgun another foe in the back, while Montagne pushes the sniper to trigger the shot and block it. Then, the rest of your team can execute their planned instructions flawlessly, allowing you to defeat most enemies before they even have a chance to react. Watching this unfold was incredibly satisfying.
A Promising Future for Tactical Gaming
The world of turn-based tactics games is currently experiencing a golden age, with a diverse range of options and settings available to players. What’s even more exciting is that Rainbow Six Tactics appears poised to be one of the most promising titles in this evolving genre.
Rainbow Six Tactics is scheduled for release in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
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