During gamescom‘s Opening Night Live, Ubisoft unveiled Rainbow Six Tactics, a new turn-based tactical single-player experience set in the Rainbow Six universe. The game is slated for release on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, according to an official announcement on Xbox Wire. The News was reported by News.
In Rainbow Six Tactics, players step into the role of Six, the commander of the Rainbow unit, leading a squad of up to four Operators through a campaign that emphasizes careful planning, coordinated breaches, and adaptability. The announcement highlights that the game retains the “core DNA” of Rainbow Six, translating its signature tactical depth into a turn-based format.
The reveal positions Rainbow Six Tactics as a notable departure from the series’ first-person shooter roots, promising a slower, more methodical approach to Rainbow Six’s established gameplay loop. With a roster of 15 Operators drawn from Rainbow Six Siege, the game aims to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers to the tactical genre.
From FPS to Turn-Based: A Natural Transition
Creative Director Elie Benhamou explained the shift in perspective, emphasizing the shared tactical foundation across Rainbow Six titles. “Rainbow Six games all share a common tactical core: intel, planning, high-stakes decision-making, and elite Operators with distinct roles,” Benhamou said. “So, transitioning from FPS to turn-based gameplay was smooth and natural for us, as we could keep all these elements while shifting the players’ perspective and pace of actions.”
This design philosophy is reflected in the game’s mechanics, which include destructible environments—a hallmark of the series. Players can break through walls to create new lines of sight, destroy enemy cover, and open new entry points, maintaining the franchise’s emphasis on environmental manipulation.
Key Features: The Breach and Operator Roster
One of the standout features is The Breach, a synchronized assault that temporarily breaks the turn-based rhythm, allowing all active Operators to move simultaneously as they storm a new area. This mechanic is designed to inject moments of high-intensity action into the otherwise methodical gameplay.
The game offers a roster of 15 Operators, all sourced from Rainbow Six Siege, including fan favorites like Ash, Sledge, Nokk, and Montagne. Each Operator brings unique abilities, specialized gadgets, and distinct skill trees, encouraging players to experiment with squad compositions and strategies.
Between missions, players can train their Operators, review gathered intelligence, and strengthen their team’s overall capabilities, adding a layer of meta-progression to the campaign.
Campaign and Mission Variety
Rainbow Six Tactics features a campaign with dozens of possible missions set in diverse locations around the world. Mission types include hostage rescue, bomb disposal, and target elimination, each presenting its own set of challenges. The variety aims to keep the tactical gameplay fresh and test players’ adaptability in different scenarios.
The game is currently available to wishlist on the Xbox Store, though no release date has been announced. As a single-player experience, Rainbow Six Tactics marks a significant expansion of the Rainbow Six franchise beyond its competitive multiplayer roots, offering a narrative-driven alternative for fans of tactical strategy.
