Almost 25 years after its first chapter, the saga Rainbow Six now swaps its terrorists, drug kingpins and other thugs for a new entity: parasitic extraterrestrial creatures. If this flavor of horror does not completely perk up the franchise, it nevertheless allows it to offer good times to its faithful.
The previous chapters of Rainbow Six – there were about ten of them – got us used to more realistic situations where the player had to thwart large-scale terrorist operations or even rescue hostages in perilous situations.
This realism is taking its toll today with Extraction. We must now infiltrate areas infected with extraterrestrial creatures to collect information, samples and materials, or even repatriate a colleague being held prisoner there.
Among the great
This touch of horror and science fiction is very welcome, of course, but above all it is devilishly well done.
The creatures, as pustular as they are threatening, seem to be straight out of the greatest horror titles, which they are called Resident Evil, Silent Hill or even the excellent Returnal, released last year. The environments to explore – four locations divided into three zones each – are also visually remarkable, rich in detail and texture.
The formula remains the same. We always adhere to the codes of the first-person cooperative shooter, where the player has at his disposal a stable of 18 agents with very specific individual skills, as well as an imposing and elaborate arsenal of weapons. In short, purists can be reassured, the saga Rainbow Six is in no way distorted and his honor remains safe.
Redundant
It is however the intrigue, particularly common and agreed, which disappoints. Without ever being as gripping as that of Rainbow Six: Siege, for example, it is satisfied with few surprises and inventiveness. Same thing for his missions which quickly become redundant and rarely memorable.
Fortunately, the action and combat sequences are particularly exciting. We admit to having held our breath during certain particularly tense or critical moments. Because, yes, we still take a certain pleasure in being drawn into this vortex of violent creatures putting our nerves – and our tactical skills – to the test.
Online games
Note that it is only in multiplayer mode – therefore online – that Rainbow Six: Extraction reveals its main charms. Those who prefer solitude and independence may well be disappointed with the limited avenues being offered to them this time solo.
If this new chapter of the famous saga did not manage to glue us to our console longer than others, however, we do not lose hope. Its updates and additional content (the good old DLC, in the jargon) already announced may well encourage us to revisit its universe at different times over the coming months.
Rainbow Six: Extraction ★★★★★
▶ Disponible sur PS4, PS5, Xbox One et Xbox Series S | X et PC.
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