Rainbow Six Siege Preview: New Dual Front Mode Revitalizes the 10-Year-Old FPS

During my high school days, there were countless nights I spent glued to my PC screen, engrossed in gaming marathons. One time, I even managed to stay awake for five days straight, just to conquer Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. The creativity and innovation in PC games were what truly captivated me back then.

One game that really sparked my imagination was Red Faction. At first glance, it seemed to share some similarities with DOOM—a first-person shooter set on Mars—but it introduced a groundbreaking feature: terrain deformation. Set in the mines of Mars, this game allowed me to use explosive weapons to create new paths by demolishing walls or blasting through rock to bypass checkpoints. The freedom to carve out my own path in the game was absolutely mesmerizing.

In the years since, this idea hasn’t been explored much further. However, when Rainbow Six Siege launched, its mechanics—such as scaling and rappelling buildings, plus the ability to shoot through or obliterate walls and ceilings—rekindled that excitement within me, reminiscent of Red Faction’s innovations.

Initially, Siege was more focused and less exploratory compared to Volition’s classic. But that’s about to shift dramatically with the upcoming Siege X update. This update not only refines gameplay, graphics, sound, and user interface but also introduces an intriguing new permanent multiplayer mode: Dual Front.

In Dual Front, a seasonal pool of Operators limits your choices, and team sizes increase to six players each. Instead of starting in the same area, there are three large zones, each with distinct objectives. This requires your team to split up, tackling defense and offense simultaneously at different locations.

Despite the expanded scope, the core gameplay remains familiar. At the start of each match, teams spawn at their respective headquarters. Two locations in your team’s territory will count down to a Defend mission, while the opposing side does the same. Thus, each team must protect one spot while assaulting another, leaving the strategy open to your team’s decisions.

Adding to the complexity, there’s a neutral zone between team territories with additional objectives. Completing these—like rescuing a hostage and reaching an extraction point—can significantly tilt the scales in your favor. This means that even if you fail in a particular attack or defense mission, victory is still attainable.

Because of the expanded battlefields in Dual Front, I found myself alternating between offensive and defensive roles based on our team’s needs, which brought a dynamic, varied experience to every match. The result was a chaotic yet thrilling whirlwind of action.

Each month, the seasonal Operator collections will refresh, and since your unit will need versatile skills, you’ll have access to both Attacker and Defender Operators. After respawning, there’s a chance to reassess your strategy quickly and select a different Operator, enhancing the game’s strategic depth and excitement.

During my preview sessions, there were moments when a quick offensive push seemed promising, prompting me to sprint across the map to support teammates fighting to protect our base objectives. Sometimes, these interventions secured a win. Other times, I found myself isolated, arriving too late to prevent an ambush. In a map as expansive as Dual Front’s, unpredictability reigned supreme.

With larger areas to traverse, new gameplay features stole the spotlight. Corner rappelling and sprinting while rappelling add agility to your movements, aiding in exploration and infiltration. Fire extinguishers now create blasts and visual covers when blown up, gas pipes erupt into flames when hit, and metal detectors can be temporarily or permanently deactivated. All these additions enhance the gameplay experience, offering an even larger playground within Dual Front’s mirrored layout.

The Siege X update also brings a shift in monetization, transitioning the game into a free-to-play model. Casual and onboarding matches, unranked quickplay, and Dual Front will be free and grant access to 26 Operators and skins. However, Siege Cup and Ranked modes will require payment to unlock and access all 50 Operators. Existing players retain all modes and receive a badge showcasing their starting year and additional perks for each year they’ve been part of Siege.

Other enhancements in the Siege X package include revamped maps—Clubhouse, Chalet, Bank, Kafe, and Border—updated visuals, audio advancements, new first-person shadows, improved menus, refined player onboarding, weapon inspection options, and more. The development team plans to introduce a new Operator or remaster an existing one each season.

However, for me, the most exciting part is Dual Front, poised to become my go-to mode. As Siege approaches its tenth anniversary, this thrilling evolution makes it more engaging than ever.