Editor’s note, May 4, 2020: As Rainbow Six Siege has changed significantly since its original release, we have produced a new review to reflect the current state of Siege. We have left the original review in its entirety below.
The average Rainbow Six Siege multiplayer match contains a surprisingly small amount of shooting. Gunplay is, of course, still central to the Siege experience, but there’s so much more to it. You’ll spend just as much time strategizing with your teammates, carefully laying traps, reinforcing destructible walls, and feeling your heart race as the dull, distant rumble of your enemies’ breach charges suddenly gives way to intense and immediate chaos. And that’s just on defense.
Few modern shooters can match the heart-pounding exhilaration and immense strategic depth Siege achieves with its asymmetrical PvP. With no respawns, no regenerating health, and only five players per team, every life suddenly feels meaningful and precious (though you can still monitor security cameras and communicate with your team in death). Running-and-gunning will almost certainly land you on the sidelines, so you’re much better off …