Skip to main content

Rainbow Six Extraction is a co-op alien shooter coming this fall

Rainbow Six Extraction, the next game in the tactical shooter series, will launch for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on September 16. Beyond that, its gameplay was shown off extensively during the E3 2021 Ubisoft Forward event, along with a brand-new trailer.

Rainbow Six Extraction: Gameplay Deep Dive Reveal | #UbiForward | Ubisoft [NA]

In Extraction, players are tasked with facing off against deadly infected creatures and must safely escape with their squad. Extraction will still feel like the Rainbow Six players you know and love, but this game will have a vastly different theme. In it, up to three players can team up to take down the alien parasite known as the Archaen. Players also can experience the game solo.

With this being a Rainbow Six game, stealth, gadgets, and coordination with a squad still will be present. Players will be able to utilize stealth to get through levels carefully. The game will feature 18 Operators, each with their own skills and gadgets, just like Rainbow Six Siege. Playing with a specific Operator will level them up, granting players with better stats, weapons, perks, and more. The game will feature 12 maps at launch, with many challenges for players to complete across each.

Ubisoft also announced that Extraction will support cross-play, allowing players to take on the Archaen regardless of platform. In addition, those who own Rainbow Six Siege will gain access to all of Extraction’s 18 Operators instantly.

Ubisoft originally planned for this game to be called Rainbow Six Quarantine, but has renamed it Extraction, likely due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was initially planned to launch much earlier, but is now set for release later this fall.

Joseph Yaden
Joseph Yaden is a freelance journalist who covers Nintendo, shooters, and horror games. He mostly covers game guides for…
The best loadouts in Rainbow Six Extraction
Soldiers shooting aliens in Rainbow Six Extraction.

There's a lot to consider when heading into an incursion in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction. Which weapon should I use? Which operator should I choose? Which explosives and gadgets are going to work for the given objectives? Building the best loadouts in Rainbow Six Extraction can be challenging with all these questions and more. Ultimately, you'll never be sticking to one. Let's dig into the best loadouts in Rainbow Six Extraction to use for any given objective.

Ubisoft+ is coming to Xbox, while Rainbow Six goes to Game Pass
The best Operators in Rainbow Six Extraction
Is Rainbow Six Extraction cross-platform?

Read more
The best Operators in Rainbow Six Extraction
The heroes of Rainbow Six Siege pose for the camera.

Based on the very popular Outbreak mode that appeared for a limited time in Rainbow Six Siege, Rainbow Six Extraction expands on the co-op-focused gameplay as opposed to the pure round-based PvP style of the main game. However, this title retains nearly every element from Siege, including the high tension gameplay, dynamic destruction, emphasis on snap reflexes, and teamwork. This game is so targeted at fans of the long-supported tactical shooter that they even carried over the same Operators from that game, although with some small changes, into Rainbow Six Extraction. However, facing the Archaean monsters is very different than human opponents.

Just like in Rainbow Six Siege, the Operators that made it into Rainbow Six Extraction are very well balanced for the most part. Most will have the same general kits, including weapons, gadgets, and gear, while others have had tweaks to fit the new style of game better. At launch, we have a roster of 18 Operators to pick for every mission, though only nine available right from the start. Even if your favorite made the cut, you'll want to have at least a backup or two ready for when they get injured or captured and you're forced to swap. To help you form the best team, here are the best Operators in Rainbow Six Extraction.

Read more
Rainbow Six Extraction: 9 tips and tricks for beginners
Rainbow Six Extraction enemy spawning.

Rainbow Six Extraction is an unforgiving game. Not only does it throw a bunch of concepts and strange terminology at you in rapid succession, but its gameplay is incredibly tense and heavily dependent on teamwork. Players who have spent any time with Siege will have a bit of an advantage (many of the operators from the game make a return for this co-op shooter), but there's still a large learning curve to overcome.

Whether you're a Siege veteran or a complete newcomer to the Rainbow Six franchise, here are nine Rainbow Six Extraction tips to help you survive the Archaean threat.

Read more