Genre
Action, Shooter
Release Date
January 20th 2022
Publisher
Platforms
Xbox, PS, PC.
Rainbow Six: Extraction Review
Rainbow Six has been around for years, from the early day of Rainbow Six in the 90s to this week launch of Rainbow Six: Extraction. It has come along way since the early days. So, does Extraction continue the Rainbow Six quality and entertainment as previous games? Yes and No.
Genre
Action, Shooter
Release Date
January 20th 2022
Publisher
Platforms
Xbox, PS, PC.
Want to see some gameplay first?
When I first heard of Rainbow Six: Extraction, I thought it was an add or a spin off title from the RB6 Siege game. To be honest, that’s exactly what it is or looks like at first glance. Rainbow Six: Siege was a top game and one of the best games in the franchise that I played. Everything about that game was a fresh of breath air. So, coming in to play Extraction, I was of the same mindset and hopes. Alas this was not to be during my time playing.
Rainbow Six: Extraction has you starring as one of the many special operators that you may have seen from Rainbow Six: Siege. You will work together in a team of 3 again the alien threat that has busted up through the earth and has engulfed the US. These creatures are known as Archeaens whom seemed to have originated from a parasite that start back in the Outbreak even in Siege. Before the parasite required a human host but have now seemed to evolve are no longer need a host to survive. That’s pretty much the meat and potatoes of the story, nothing to involved for you to follow, but one that links this latest Rainbow Six game to the last.
With each of the missions you undertake on a map is sectioned into 3 stages. Each of these are then separated by an airlock that lets you resupply before the next stage is to start. Each of these stages within has their own objectives like rescuing a MIA Operator or take and Elite enemy out. There are some side missions but these are optional for you to complete. You will also need to remove all Archaean in that area, which can be removed by a single headshot. With each passing of a stage, you are given XP, each one worth more than the last. In some areas it can be quite easy to breeze through it and complete a stage. I feel that it would have been far more intense at the end, if you had to fend off attack while waiting for a chopper or some back to arrive before extraction.
The progression system that lies within Extraction is more of a challenge system that requires you to use certain weapons or abilities etc… Though they class it as Studies. There are around 100+ of these that can be complete, though sadly this is probably the only best way to try to level up. I say best, as it’s a bit of a grind to do so and not really an enjoyable way of levelling up to reach rewards that are mediocre at best. I feel that if they rewarded you with more powerful weapons and upgrades, it would have made the grind more bearable.
With each mission you play through do get a bit repetitive and you will be playing the same areas until you unlock more. Then rinse and repeat again. If they were to mix it about the stages it would feel as stagnate, but nope. Each mission is basically 3 rooms with each separated by their own airlock for resupply. Each of these having their own side missions, which are optional, with 3 extraction points. Since I never got to play the Outbreak even on Siege, I was unsure what the formula that the team was going to follow. However, it seems after much combing through gameplay and playing Extraction, it seems that it’s a mere copy and paste with some random backdrops thrown in for good measure. This is the same when you look at the weapons that are on offer too. Each of them handle in much the same way as in Rainbow Six: Siege
The enemies that you face in Extraction are a bit hit and miss at times too. Either they have a total lack of awareness or completely lack the ability of hearing. This is more evident as you sprint towards them for a quick takedown. Then there are times when you will see them just wandering off as if they forgot their coffee. What is more off putting is the fact that you can just sprint through each stage without a care in the world as you clip off any Archaeans that come near you. If you for some reason forgot to use a weapon without a suppressor, you need not worry as they seem to go about for a gander. This makes the stealth aspect of the game very easy.
You would be forgiven if the impression of the game is entirely easy, and while this is factual at times, it’s not always the case. The reason for this is how the damage you take works in the game. When you are struck your health does not regenerate, so you can often lose a chunk of your health from a single attack. The damage you receive carries over between your stages. If you get hurt during a mission, you will remain at that health level on the following mission too. If working as a team, you will have to revive your teammates, or they are permanently MIA.
This factor in the game is probably the biggest risk you take. If you happen to lose one of your Operators, they will become MIA. This means they are unavailable for several incursions as they will need healing. However, you can rescue these MIA Ops by replaying the map that they become MIAs. You will need to replay the map but making sure this time you extract them as well.
This is probably the only novel feature that was added that may make you want to replay some of the missions that didn’t go exactly how you wanted it. There are 18 Operators in total, so you can choose to leave them until they return to you in time. As there are plenty on offer for you to sacrifice.
Rainbow Six: Extraction seems to have everything going for it when the trailers and gameplay videos first dropped. However, on a closer inspection it doesn’t hold up. Especially with the likes of Rainbow Six: Siege still being extremely popular and much more enjoyable. Luckily, the game is available on Game Pass and is worth a go, even if it’s just out of sheer curiosity.
Overall
When I first saw Rainbow Six: Extraction I thought this was going to be a fun game. However, what I experienced was something a lot less. This was a massive step down from RB6 Siege and feels more like a stop gap before the next Rainbow Six title. I am a huge fan of Ubisoft games and loved a lot of them, but sadly this has left a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth. Let’s hope this is only a blip in the franchise offerings.
SSG Rating 5/10