Developer – Ubisoft

Publisher – Ubisoft

Platforms – Windows PC®, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, PS4|5

Rainbow Six Extraction, oh how you surprised me. For those of you who do not know, Extraction was originally a mode that came and went in Rainbow Six Siege. Extraction is based off that lore and concept, and builds that one off mode into a full fledged gameplay experience.

My initial thoughts coming into Extraction weren’t great. I thought it was just gonna be nothing more than that same mode revamped and turned into a game, but I was mistaken. Extraction has been on my mind even when I’m not playing, and has provided something unique in the co-op shooter space that most new entries have failed to provide.

The handful of locations, comprised of several stages and substages. Each location together perfectly, with unique layouts and each area offering a diverse set of environments to clear out. The campaign is addicting, especially with a group. One of the reasons its so successful, is the tension each mission provides for your chosen operator.

The game is a one to three player experience. Playing Extraction alone is simply okay, playing it with others dramatically improves the experience. The core structure of the campaign is what separates Extraction from all of the co-op horde shooters as of late. In Extraction, you and your squad must choose from a large variety of Operators, not too dissimilar to Siege itself. Each operator has a unique React skill, and various weapon options and upgrades unique to that character. Co-op play is also easy to get into, as Extraction offers full crossplay and progression with every platform.

Thus far, all of that is pretty standard. What changes, is the tension of the gameplay and what happens once a mission is complete. Each extraction zone is divided into three sections. Performing all of the objectives in each section will provide a choice. Either extract and leave the mission early, or continue to the next section and dramatically increase the reward, but also the risk.

This choice isn’t particularly novel, but what is novel is the persistence in between missions. In Extraction, even the easiest difficulties can have one alien almost one shot an operator. Playing sloppy or not using stealth will get characters hurt or killed. Once you complete or fail a mission, all of the health you had remaining is persistent. If an operator is too hurt for example, they are out of action and have to wait until they get healed before they can go out again.

As each operator is unique and has their own leveling curve, this can really impact decision making on harder settings and extraction zones. Each player in a crew has their own set of operators to choose from, so my Pulse being hurt doesn’t mean my buddy can’t use his on a mission.

If a character dies during a mission and you can’t carry the body with you to extraction, that character becomes M.I.A. While an operator is missing, they are completely unusable. Only by choosing that extraction zone again can you hope to rescue that operative. Extraction will always give you one character to use at any given moment, so thankfully it avoids becoming a rogue-like if you fail constantly, but the tension is palpable and adds an extra level of satisfaction into each play through

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The Chimera parasite has spawned an alien like faction called the Archaeans. This faction is much more fleshed out than they were in Siege, with a large variety of enemy types to keep you on your toes. Harder difficulties modify the enemy types with unique traits or special abilities they don’t normally have otherwise. They provide a nice alternative to zombies. Using lean, wall damage and the fortifications from Siege create a unique moment to moment gameplay beat that differ from titles such as Vermintide or Back 4 Blood.

Rainbow Six Extraction took me by surprise. Its a mixture of Siege style tactics with X-Com soldier management. Extraction is a great experience with friends, and provides a deeper, challenging take on the modern co-op shooter.