Rainbox Six Extraction is finally out, and the initial reaction appears broadly positive. The latest game in the Tom Clancy Rainbow Six series is essentially a spin-off from 2015's acclaimed Rainbow Six Siege, pitting players not against one another but rather a parasitic species of alien monsters called Archæans.
Extraction places a heavy focus on strategic, cooperative gameplay, with players working together to complete objectives in a number of alien-infested locations, ranging from gathering intel to collecting alien samples. The game also sees a number of the operators from Siege return to form the Rainbow Exogeneous Analysis and Containment Team (REACT) responsible for combating this new alien menace. So far, the game has proven to be a hit with fans, and critics agree that Extraction is an excellent evolution of the Rainbow Six formula, but not everything is perfect.
Gunplay and a Tense Atmosphere are Extraction's Strengths
Almost every review has expressed a fondness for Extraction's gunplay and the use of characters that have essentially spilled over from the game's predecessor, Siege. The result is a tactile, clean combat system that always feels satisfying and efficient. Keith Stuart of The Guardian expressed his admiration for the action's contextual bite, claiming it to be "extremely well-handled: trying to complete an objective when you're all on 1% of health and you can hear the aliens breathing nearby is genuinely nerve-shredding stuff."
Extraction's greatest strength is its blending of a competent combat system with a genuinely eerie atmosphere and the sometimes-unforgiving nature of its difficulty. Stuart's sentiments that the game can be "nerve-shredding" is echoed in numerous publications, with CG Magazine praising the cut scenes for their "haunting imagery" and "chilling graphics." NME has lauded the game's decision to put a "tactical shooter spin" on the Left 4 Dead formula by combining "flecks of horror created by the scarcity of resources (with) Extraction's own terrifying cast of baddies."
The Difficulty Rewards Planning Over Guns Blazing
Extraction has also garnered praise for its "risk and reward" level system. Mission areas are split into three smaller zones, with each zone becoming more difficult as the player progresses but providing greater rewards. Players can extract early after completing a given zone or continue and risk it all in the hopes of earning more experience and upgrades. However, tech and health both rollover from zone to zone, putting a lot of pressure on the decision to carry on or extract.
If a player is knocked out and left behind, they can't be accessed until rescued, meaning that extractions become vital to a team's success. Operators can rescue teammates by "pulling them out of a cocoon-based tree," a mechanic that creates tension by causing players to become preoccupied and thus vulnerable to incoming attacks. As CG Magazine attests: "While three operatives work together to stop enemies, and the tendrils of the tree to overpower (them), a true sense of camaraderie occurs due to the urgency of retrieving a favourite operative."
Praised, too, have been the game's tactical focus and well-realized, degradable environments. Each map encourages players to think strategically, must like Rainbow Six Siege, and the interactive, semi-destructible world offers a pleasingly cinematic experience to support the game's tactical focus. Add to this a range of tech and weaponry, and a team's operational options become seriously varied. One can surprise attack enemies by breaching a wall, for instance, or by funneling them into kill zones with carefully-placed barricades and obstacles.
Extraction is Sharp but Better Suited to Cooperative Play
The main criticism leveled at Extraction is that it can become repetitive and stale. The incrementally harder levels keep things challenging, but the game struggles to break from the confines of its slightly restrictive format. Writing for IGN, Peter Pestana voiced dwindling interest and enthusiasm for replaying levels to gain experience and extra perks, while Joe Donnelly of GamesRadar also expressed concerns that the latest Rainbow Six "can be repetitive."
The consensus seems to be that things are far more satisfying if enjoyed via multiplayer or cooperatively, with the solo experience paling compared to the tactical complexity of cooperative gameplay. This can be Extraction's greatest strength or its most frustrating limitation. Victory, according to GameSpot, is "dependent on teamwork, and your ability to adapt to difficult situations." This is built on good communication, ideally via a mic link, wherein "democratic discussions around whether the squad should push on or extract early" can have seismic consequences for a mission's outcome. If players aren't willing to cooperate with others or a difficult or inexperienced teammate hinders a team, Extraction can be a frustrating experience.
What Do Critics Think About Extraction Overall?
Rainbow Six Extraction has garnered generally positive reviews since its release, earning particular praise for its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, mature, tactically-focused design and satisfying gunplay. It has, however, garnered criticism for its slightly repetitive design. Alex Van Aken notes in Game Informer's review, "Rainbow Six Siege casts a substantial shadow, and despite its best efforts, Ubisoft's latest shooter struggles to fully emerge from beneath it. "
Extraction lives and dies on whether players have patience and desire to work as a team to methodically reach their objectives: for those who thrive in a cooperative environment and enjoy a steady, scalpel-like approach to their shooters, the game is likely to provide significant rewards. However, players seeking cheap thrills might find that their success in Extraction may be too tightly tethered to strategic, communication-reliant gameplay to be their cup of tea.