Platform Used: Xbox One
Way back when, the very first Rainbow Six splashed onto the PC market with its then-unique blend of straightforward action, intricate plot, fantastic voice-acting and a strong grip on tactical-gameplay. It really did bring you in and give you a sense that you were in control of the squad and opened up the possibility of squad-based gameplay for the next generation.
Fast-forward to 2016 and Rainbow Six's reputation is still in good standing. Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 was an enjoyable, if chaotic experience that had a deep plot and a real sense of multiplayer aspects. Of course, it naturally became overshadowed by the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield, with casual players not recognising the innate differences between the two. For Rainbow Six: Siege, it would appear that the developers are more keenly pointing towards those who are tired of Call of Duty's repetitiveness and Battlefield's steep learning curve.
What Rainbow Six: Siege has over its competitors is its physics engine. When an explosion goes off in game, you can feel it. The rag-doll characters are fired against walls, the shockwave reverberates into your HUD and controller and it sharpens your focus. Likewise, the use of shields and close-quarter combat means that you feel on edge and tense as you're playing - something that Call of Duty or Battlefield haven't done in quite a while.
For the most part, the matchmaking and multiplayer are working reasonably well. It's early days yet and with the advent of patches and new DLC on the way, the experience can only get smoother. The rounds are fast and brutal, meaning that you can easily pick the game up and play a few rounds with it becoming too much of a time drain.
There are issues, of course. The physics surrounding rapelling, for example, could do with a bit of tweaking and the environment destruction doesn't always work as it should, i.e. you could shoot through the same wall and it not always penetrate.
Of course, these are minor quibbles. For the most part, Rainbow Six: Siege is a solidly entertaining shooter with a real emphasis on playability that offers a more nuanced and thoughtful alternative to the standard first-person shooter.
3.5 / 5
