Rainbow Six Tactics, a new title that blends the tactical gameplay of XCOM with elements from Rainbow Six Siege, has emerged as a surprise favorite from Gamescom demos. The game reimagines the Rainbow Six universe through a turn-based strategy lens, placing players in command of a squad of operators.
Tactical Infiltration and Siege Mechanics
The game's premise follows operators from Siege who have joined a new Rainbow organization under the command of Paul Bishop. Gameplay shown in a hands-off demo involved infiltrating an industrial dock and progressing towards a warehouse. Initially, the combat unfolds with familiar XCOM-like mechanics. Players maneuver their squad, establish overwatch zones, and utilize character-specific abilities to neutralize threats. For instance, the operator Montagne functions as mobile cover, creating a safe zone for his allies. Glaz, the series' sniper, can unleash a long-range shot capable of eliminating multiple enemies in a straight line. The outdoor environments in Rainbow Six Tactics do not feature a fog of war, allowing characters like Glaz to be particularly effective.
Warehouse Infiltration and Breach Mode
The integration of Siege's distinct features becomes apparent when the squad approaches the warehouse. Instead of a direct assault, players deploy drones, similar to those used in Siege's attacker roles, to scout the interior and identify enemy positions. Unlike the open areas, the warehouse interior employs a fog of war system, emphasizing the importance of reconnaissance. Following the drone recon, the game introduces its Breach mode. This feature allows players to plot simultaneous moves and attacks for their entire squad based on the interior map established by the drones. Once plotted, the execution phase begins, with all operators acting in concert to take up positions and engage enemies.
Destructible Environments and Order Points
Shots and explosions in Rainbow Six Tactics have a tangible impact on the environment, mirroring a key feature of Siege. The demo showcased a shot from Glaz passing through a wall and hitting an enemy on the other side, highlighting the destructibility of the level design. This feature seamlessly translates one of Siege's most engaging mechanics into the new tactical context. Later in the mission, the squad's objective shifted to escorting a VIP to safety. This segment involved managing accrued 'Order Points,' which can be used to buff the team with advantages like increased damage or movement. However, enemies also gain access to these buffs when a turn counter ticks down, introducing a strategic layer of resource management and time pressure. The developers have seemingly put considerable thought into the overall flow and strategic depth of the gameplay.
While details regarding the game's base management or "HQ half" remain scarce, the observed tactical combat and the integration of Siege's signature elements have generated significant intrigue for fans of the genre. Rainbow Six Tactics is shaping up to be a notable entry in the tactical strategy space.