[Review] Rainbow Six: Siege

[Gadgetguy]

*A Uplay key was provided by the developers for review purposes*

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*Disclaimer: As this is a Uplay title the play time stats aren't calculated in the same way. For Uplay, I must be in a lobby playing the game. It doesn't count the time I spent queueing and reading about operators.*

Uplay Playtime Stats
In Game Level: 22 | PvP Playtime: 15 Hours | PvE Playtime: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes


Rating
9/10

Pros:
Great Graphics
Amazing Destructibility
One of the best uses of sound in a game
Diverse characters with different play styles
Strategy can beat reflexes
Well-made Gunplay

Cons:
Hit Boxes are occasionally inaccurate

Overview

Rainbow Six: Siege is a team-based, class-based, multiplayer FPS that adds quite a bit more strategy to the genre than previous entries. The game is set up into rounds with teams taking turns either attacking or defending an objective. There are multiple objective types, and different operators perform better at some objectives than others. These objectives are: defusing two bombs, rescuing a hostage, or securing a bio hazardous container area. The matches rarely felt stale due to the many different ways to approach a situation and the abilities operators provide. Operators are the classes that a player uses. There are different operators for the attacking and the defending sides, such as Attackers Thatcher and Thermite and Defenders Maestro and Alibi. The main differences between operators is the special ability they have, but the differences in weapons, speed, and armor also make each operator feel completely different. The maps all feel quite varied and it is hard to immediately tell where the objective will be on them, since it is random. Ubisoft also brings out new maps on occasion such as Villa in Operation Para Bellum. Maps are also updated as the game evolves such as the recent map buff to Club House. The sound design in this title is also one of the best I have ever experienced. Since the gameplay revolves around hunting, neither team wants make too much noise. Running, vaulting, and weapon firing all makes sounds and reveals the player to the enemy. Finally, the graphics are realistic and help to add on to the atmosphere of tension.

Game Breakdown

Gameplay:
The gameplay starts off with ten players being placed into one of two teams. These teams, the orange team and the blue team, are then assigned either the role of being on the Attacking team or the Defending team. The main objective of the game is then revealed. This usually consists of capturing something, but this occurs in three different ways. The biohazard container game mode has the Attacking team trying to capture the area that the Defending team has fortified. If the Attackers stand in the area, a timer will start to decrease. If the timer runs out, or all of the Defending team dies, the Attacking team wins. If all of the Attacking team dies, then the Defending team wins. The hostage game mode has the Attacking team trying to kill all of the Defending team, or they can grab the hostage and run to a hostage rescue point. The final and third game mode is to defuse the bombs game mode. This mode is similar to Counter Strike. The Attackers find the bombs and set down a defuser. The defuser must be protected by the Attackers, or else the Defenders will run in and hack the defuser which will destroy it. Different operators do better with different modes.

The classes in this game are fictional military personnel, known as operators, who are so skilled that they were invited to join Rainbow Six. Each of these operators have a special skill that is insanely powerful and can introduce new mechanics into the game. Operators are separated into two categories, Attackers and Defenders. Attackers do best at breaking into rooms or buffing themselves so they can into rooms or peak around corners more confidently. Defenders specialize in fortifications and stealth. Some example of Attackers are Thatcher and Thermite. Thatcher has a special EMP grenade that will disable any Defender gadgets that it explodes on. This is essential to clear any dangerous traps that a player player may run into. Thermite is able to blow through reinforced walls. This allows Thermite and his teammates to bypass the preplanned routes created by the Defenders for the Attackers to follow. Two Defenders that I enjoyed are Maestro and Alibi, who appeared in Operation Para Bellum. Maestro is the ultimate turtle character. His special ability is “Evil Eye”, which allows him to place two cameras that can’t be destroyed. These cameras are also able to open up and shoot lasers to damage enemies. This allows him to lock down key choke points while simultaneously splitting the attention of the Attackers. He also wields an extremely large machine gun, known as the ALDA 5.56, that has a huge drum of eighty hard hitting rounds. This gun also has surprisingly low recoil. This crazy gear combined with his high armor makes him quite slow and loud. Alibi is on the opposite end of the spectrum. She has low armor and is fairly quiet. Her special ability is “Prisma”. “Prisma” is a small grenade like object that create a hologram of Alibi. Anyone who shoots, walks through, or destroys the holograms is immediately pinged with a location marker. Alibi is perfect for figuring out which direction the Attackers are coming from and is able to fool Attackers sometimes by standing still like a hologram. Alibi’s machine gun is the Mx4 Storm. It has a surprisingly long range and an extreme rate of fire. Perfect for the hit and run tactics that she loves to employ. These aren’t the only weapons an operator is stuck with though.

After selecting an operator, the player is able to choose a loadout. Every operator has a unique selection of guns, side arms, and a gadget. Alibi for example is able to choose the Mx4 Storm or the ACS12, a shotgun. Shotguns are quite powerful close range and can punch large holes through walls quickly. They do have a very long reload time however, which can require more use of a side arm. Alibi has two side arms, the Keratos .357 and the Bailiff 410. The Keratos essentially acts like a high powered revolver and the Bailiff is a mini shotgun. What is even better is that the primary weapon and the side arm can then be further customized with attachments. These come in a variety of types including: different sights, grips to decrease recoil or muzzle flash, a silencer, and a laser sight. The two gadgets that can be used by Alibi are Impact Grenades and a Deployable Shield. Impact Grenades explode on contact with a surface. This is in contrast to frag grenades which will explode after a timer finishes. The Deployable Shield is a large, metal shield that a player can hide behind to protect themselves from bullet fire. Deployable Shields do not protect from bullet fire that is shot through the wall behind the operator though.

Rainbow Six Siege has four main structure types. Soft Walls, Reinforced Walls, Unbreakable Walls, and Ceilings. Soft Walls can be easily shot through, especially by shotguns, or exploded with breaching charges. To protect themselves, each Defender is given two reinforcing kits. These can be deployed on Soft Walls to create Reinforced Walls. Reinforced Walls can’t be shot through nor can they be exploded with breaching charges. Only the operators Thermite or Hibana are able to blow through these walls. Unbreakable walls can’t be broken at all. Ceilings, and sometimes hatches, can be shot through or be blown up by breaching charges. Ceiling have metal bars inside of them which makes them hard to see through and even more difficult to shoot through. Sometimes ceilings also have a hatch built into them. These can be fully blown through, but they can also be reinforced. While Defenders are setting up reinforced walls, the Attackers are trying to find them with small drones.

Attackers don’t immediately spawn into the match. They first spawn as little camera drones that are scattered at different spawn points. It is then up to Attackers to find the objective they must capture. Enemies can also be scanned by the camera drones which allows them to be identified, giving the Attackers knowledge about which operators they will be facing. Drones aren’t invincible and can easily be destroyed with bullets. Cameras aren’t only for the Attackers though. The Defenders are given quite a few cameras depending on the map and they can also identify the Attacking operators. These cameras can also be destroyed though. One of the most interesting mechanics added into the game is that dead players are able to watch through cameras and can identify for their teammates where the Attackers are. I thought that this was a smart idea as most FPS have the problem of friends queuing together and when one dies, they observe and watch the back of the other player. This way, it evens the playing field while simultaneously giving something dead players to do while they wait for the next round. The game is set up so that it is the team that wins three rounds first wins. This can create some tense fifth matches.

Overall, this is a great title for players that want a competitive FPS that doesn’t rely solely on twitchy trigger fingers. There is plenty of content that can be unlocked solely by playing the game. The only thing that requires players to spend actual money is cosmetics. Cosmetics are given away anyway though, as playing and winning allows players to open a lootbox with a random cosmetic in it.

Story:
While there isn’t much story to the game as a whole, each operator has lore associated with them that helps a player connect further with a favorite operator. Unfortunately, not all of the operators have the same amount of lore. The original operators have a small summary of their motivations, background, and reason they were asked to join Rainbow Six. This is contrary to the newer operatives such as Maestro and Alibi, who both have a fictional psychological evaluation and background. These bits of lore helped me further enjoy the character Maestro as in his art portrait he seemed like a jokester who loves a challenge. His psychological evaluation confirmed these personality traits and went further in-depth on why he became military in the first place. I would love to see some of the older operators get a lore buff like Ubisoft has been doing with the map buffs.

Sound:
Sound in Rainbow Six: Siege is one of the most important gameplay mechanics. Since death occurs so quickly and easily, it is important to always know where one’s opponents are. Running will cause a lot of noise, and it will be easy to track anyone under these conditions. Firing a gun is even worse. A player must make sure that are firing with a purpose, because otherwise this will give away the position of the person who fired. This is especially true for the Roaming Defender operators who use stealth to their advantage. While they will often use silencers, guns are still loud and give away their position.

Another aspect of the sound I really like is that every unique ability has a recognizable sound. Maestro’s camera lasers, Thermite’s bombs, Shock’s Taser drones, these all have sounds that I could recognize without looking at them. This is perfect for a competitive game as it didn’t take very long until I could recognize the enemy team’s operators just by the traps I was running into.

Graphics:
The graphics are high-quality three-dimensional models that stick to a realistic atmosphere. The operators are all wearing appropriate body armor for their armor rating which adds to the immersion of the game. The maps are well designed and I enjoy that each map has a unique theme. For example, one map is set inside an abandoned haunted house while another is set on the top of a skyscraper which contains a building using a historical Japanese architectural style. The graphics for the destructible environments are rendered well also and I didn’t notice any lag or performance drop when I broke down some weak barricades.

Operation Grim Sky

New Operators

The two new operators that were revealed to be a part of this operation are named Maverick and Clash. Maverick is an American who is also an ex-member of Delta Force, a unit specializing in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, who is intelligent, analytical, and sullen. As many people who see his character art can infer, he is a person damaged by his past. His past is why he carries the unique gadget that is a blowtorch. I found that the blowtorch was a powerful gadget with many charges that must be used properly or else a Maverick can easily become a burden on their team. The way it works is that the blowtorch is able to burn holes in every destructible surface. He will mainly want to create small holes to create a way to shoot into heavily protected rooms.
There are a few downsides tot this extremely powerful gadget. Firstly, a player must find the perfect rate of movement to when using the blowtorch. If a surface isn’t burned long enough, then the blowtorch won’t pierce through it, a mechanic I experienced the hard way. Secondly, Maverick is extremely slow while creating his holes of death. This leaves him open to flanks and enemies that are looking at the wall he is burning through. The blowtorch is quiet but not silent after all. Finally, it is quite difficult to burn a hole large enough to actually crawl through, so he isn’t the best hard breacher in terms of creating new attack paths. Overall I really enjoyed Maverick, but I can tell that he is designed to be a character that must be learned inside and out before he can be used effectively. He is also a stealthy character that doesn’t do especially well in a direct fight due to his low armor.
Clash is the exact opposite of Maverick. Her character profile shows that she is brave, brash, and will protect without any doubts. This in reflected in the fact that she is quite slow and is fully armored. Instead of peeking around, Clash will run straight into a fight without a second thought. She is able to survive these encounters because of the shield she carries, the first for a defender. Equipped inside this shield is a Taser which deals a small amount of damage over time and, more importantly, causes an increasing slow effect. If an operator does gain a full debuff, they are reduced to a snail’s pace and they become quite vulnerable. To aim the Taser, an enemy must be within the two electrified poles that are directly within the player’s field of view. Clash’s only task isn’t to be trapped in the defense room protecting the objective. Clash is the perfect operative on defense to walk around the halls of any map and scout out the opposition. While the shield is activated, Clash doesn’t have any offensive options available to her. Her shield must be put away and then she is able to use one of her two machine pistol options available at the pre-game loadout screen. These pistols should not be underestimated as Clash is able to do quite a bit of damage with the pistol alone. I had the surprising experience of being taken down by Clash while I was trying to peak around a corner.

Clash’s main role turned out to be a chokepoint holder. Due to her strong shield and Taser, enemies had to be careful if they were all trying to flood through a single doorway. During one round, there were about four enemies that clumped together outside on a balcony. After Clash discovered them, she proceeded to slow them and then the enemy team was wiped due to the fact that they couldn’t escape. While Clash initially doesn’t appear to be able to make big plays, after playing her, I can tell that a good Clash will be able to win the round for team if they play intelligently.

Hereford Base

The other large feature that is being shipped with Operation Grim Sky is the inclusion of a reworked Hereford Base. Instead of being a modern military base, Hereford has been transformed into a World War 2 compound full of technology from the past such as two planes that look quite similar to spitfires and an old sewing machine. Each room was quite unique and I found that it was easy to differentiate between them. A problem of the past with this map is the fact that it was difficult to tell the difference between the different floors. Besides changing up the overalls themes of the separate floors, there are also floor numbers on the stairwell to help indicate where a player is. I quite enjoyed my time with the map and it certainly feels revitalized. The one piece of advice that I will provide about the map is always protect the windows if the

Revenue Share Skins
This was a feature that I only saw a sneak peek of, but what was revealed made me glad that the weapon skins are worth buying. They look quite high quality and the weapon skins are based around a team’s name, colors, and general theme. It will look amazing in match end highlights for a player to win a round using their favorite team’s skin.

Quality of Life
One of the largest frustrations that players of “Rainbow Six: Siege” had is that while a weapon is recoiling, it no longer shoots at where the reticle is pointing. I watched a quick demo that showed that this issue is now fixed and will be working better in the future.

Operation Wind Bastion: Year 3 - Season 4

The three major inclusions of this update are two new operators and a completely new map. The two operator's code names are Kaid and Nomad. Nomad feels unique as an attacker as she feels more like a defender with her two different traps that are available to her. Kaid is similar to Bandit, but his major strengths are that he can trap multiple walls with one gadget and that he can trap ceiling hatches. Nomad's gadget is the Airjab Launcher which allows here to fire a small explosive that will knock down enemies who walk near it. The Airjab Launcher has a short activation time after it hits a wall. The other trap available to Nomad is the claymore. She is an anti-rush type of attacker and directly counters her predecessor Clash. Kaid also counter his processor, Maverick, by making it hard to find the electrifying gadgets. His Electroclaw gadget electrifies reinforced walls and barbed wire very similarly to Bandit. The difference is that Kaid's can stick to the wall instead of always being placed onto the ground. Kaid can also electrify reinforced hatches. Finally, Kaid is a three armor character which makes him much slower than Bandit's three speed.
The new map is called Fortress. The color pallete is a bit bland, as almost all of the building is a sandy yellow. It is quite fun though, as there are many points of entry. This makes it difficult to predict where the attackers will come from. There are also plenty of rappelling points due to the two prominent towers that are a part of the main structure.

[SalzStange]

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