At ONL, Ubisoft unveiled a new *Rainbow Six* game that returns to the series’ single-player roots. However, *Tactics* will be a turn-based tactical game.
Ubisoft is actually developinga new single-player game based on Rainbow Six!But it will be completely different from what you might expect. The new R6 will be neither a multiplayer nor a tactical shooter. With Rainbow Six Tactics, the series is venturing into a completely different genre: turn-based strategy games.
The game was unveiled at ONL andis very, very, very reminiscent of XCOM. But at the same time, it aims to bring both fans of Rainbow Six: Siege and longtime story-oriented players on board. The latter are meant to be reminded of the good old days of Rainbow Six: Vegas. But for now, here’s the big announcement trailer with tons of gameplay:
Rainbow Six Meets XCOM
The new Rainbow Six will be the first game in the series in 18 years to focus entirely on single-player. This hasn’t happened in Rainbow Six since Vegas 2 in 2008. Anyone born back then can now drive a car and drink alcohol without restriction. Tactics is also said to completely do away with any microtransactions or other in-game monetization.
So it’s all very classic—with the one major exception that it’s actually a strategy game. The XCOM influence is more than obvious. XCOM: Chimera Squad, in particular, comes to mind—it also relied on squad-based missions, just as Rainbow Six now does, of course.
Here, there’s still a reconnaissance phase before a turn-based firefight, during which you scout the area—for example, with a drone. After that, there’s what’s called a “breach.” You must strategically position your four Rainbows at different entry points and plan the joint breakthrough. The squad units then carry out their pre-determined actions all at the same time.
But these operators aren’t just anyone. There are 15 such Rainbows in the game, each with their own gadgets and abilities. Every operator hails from Rainbow Six Siege, including Glaz, Ash, and Doc. We don’t yet know if operators can die permanently, as in XCOM.
The Return of a Rainbow Six Legend
In Tactics, you’ll play as “Six,” the commander of the Rainbow unit, for the first time. But Six is no stranger. He’s the older version of Paul Bishop, the protagonist of the two Vegas games. This time, he coordinates operations from headquarters.
You’ll return there periodically to select new missions, recruit Operators, and level up your recruits. There will also be a full-fledged story told through cutscenes, revolving around a global threat and the formation of a new Rainbow unit in response.
Rainbow Six Tactics is set to be released in 2027.
