Look, let's be honest, tactical shooters are getting a bit crowded, but the iconic 'Rainbow Six' is pivoting in a rather spicy direction for its next outing. Enter 'Rainbow Six Tactics', a turn-based tactical spin-off that puts you right in the boots of a field commander trying to survive some rather brutal operations. It also happens to be the first proper single-player title we have seen since the multiplayer-focused Rainbow Six: Siege.

Ubisoft dropped the news on August 26 during Gamescom Opening Night Live, officially unveiling 'Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Tactics'. As the commander known simply as 'Six', you are tasked with everything from high-level strategic planning to boots-on-the-ground commanding in a single-player, turn-based setting. You still get that signature tactical flavor, plus a chance to catch up with various legendary operators from the franchise.

The development team explains that this project started from a simple yet ambitious question: how do you build a game that resonates with both the old-school crowd from the Vegas days and the newer generation weaned on Siege? Rainbow Six has always been built around tactical grit, and the creators reckon there is plenty of untapped depth to explore in a turn-based format. Thus, the bright idea of crafting the universe's very first turn-based tactics game was born. It aims to stay true to the roots while serving up something brilliantly different.

Lore-wise, this sits right between Year 10 and Year 11 of Rainbow Six: Siege, following a massive global operation against a brand-new threat. In what the publisher calls a return to cinematic single-player campaigns not seen since the Vegas games, it expands the Siege universe quite nicely. You will get to peer into the personal struggles of the operators, dealing with heavy pressure and tough choices, alongside a fresh batch of original characters.

Naturally, you step into the shoes of the commander. To be precise, you take on the role of Bishop, the protagonist from Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, guiding the unit entirely through Bishop's perspective. You will sit at Rainbow headquarters, chew over intel, deploy operators, and map out the mission parameters before anyone kicks down a door.

The roster features a carefully curated selection of 15 iconic operators from Siege, chosen based on fan favourites and how well their kits translate to turn-based shenanigans. They keep their signature gadgets and abilities from Siege, complete with bespoke skill trees. You pick a squad of four for each outing. With dozens of maps spanning the globe featuring hostage rescues, bomb defusals, and VIP snatches, you will need to tailor your squad to the situation at hand.

When the boots hit the ground, turn-based combat forces you to carefully weigh operator abilities, reconnaissance tools, gadgets, and destructible environment elements to crush the enemy. During the recon phase, drones are your best mates for clearing the Fog of War, spotting enemy positions, traps, and loot caches. Blow holes in walls to open up sightlines, clear out cover, and forge entirely new entry points. Positioning, vision control, and overwatch are the absolute name of the game.

Perhaps the most cheeky feature here is the signature 'Breach' mechanic borrowed straight from the main series and Siege. Once drone recon is wrapped up, you map out one or multiple entry vectors, assign specific gadgets and objectives to your team, and draft up a simultaneous assault plan. Hit the 'Execute' command, and the turn-based shackles come off for a blistering real-time sequence where every operator storms the room at once.

Between the gunfights and the door-kicking, you also have a hefty management sim to deal with back at HQ. Between missions, you will manage operator health, tinker with loadouts, and upgrade skill trees to unlock new traits that define your playstyle. You are essentially pulling double duty as tactical commander and human resources manager.

Development is being handled by Ubisoft Paris, stacked with veterans from Ghost Run and the Mario + Rabbids series, alongside folks who worked on Star Wars Outlaws, Skull and Bones, and Just Dance. They have handcrafted dozens of maps ranging from urban sprawls to farms and warehouses, entirely avoiding procedural generation apart from randomized enemy and objective locations. The team emphasizes that every single map was meticulously built to have its own distinct identity and tactical flavour.

Rainbow Six Tactics is slated for release in 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. It is billed as a strictly single-player experience with zero in-game stores or microtransactions. Best of luck out there, commander.