X

Games Like 'Rainbow Six Siege' to Play Next

'Rainbow Six Siege' is one of the most popular shooters on the market, but it's far from your only option for high-octane action
by Jon Bitner — 
screen-shot-2022-08-02-at-6-11-10-pm.png

Rainbow Six Siege

Ubisoft

Rainbow Six Siege is an unforgiving, tactical FPS that pits two teams against each other in objective-based skirmishes. It first launched in 2015, but Ubisoft has kept the game alive (and thriving) through constant updates, rebalances, and a regular cycle of professional esports tournaments.

At the start of every match, players are placed on one of two teams: Attackers or Defenders. Attackers are tasked with finding and defusing a set of bombs, while the Defenders do what they can to prevent that from happening. To help with the task, there's a deep roster of playable characters, each bringing their own unique abilities to the battle. Frost, for example, can set traps that immobilize Attackers when triggered, while Fuze can use a special gadget to send explosive though walls. Learning about each Operator and knowing when to bring the right one into battle is the key to victory.

Beyond its roster of memorable characters, one of Rainbow Six Siege's defining factors is its destructible environments. Whether you're shooting through a wooden wall, breaching a door, or blasting through the ceiling, there's no shortage of ways to redecorate each map. But the game isn't all about destruction, as Defenders can reinforce their position by putting up barricades and metal supports before the start of every round. This means that every round plays out different than the last: The core layout of the map might be the same, but new barricades or blown out walls mean there's always new vantage points to seek out.

Rainbow Six Siege is one of the most popular shooters on the market, but it's far from your only option for high-octane action. If you've grown tired of the game or need a break from its sweaty ranked mode, there are plenty of other games to consider.

Here are 10 games like Rainbow Six Siege to play next, listed by Metascore.


overwatch-4

Overwatch

Blizzard Entertainment

Overwatch (PC)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of well-balanced competitive shooters
Where to buy:


Also available on: PS4, Switch, XB1

Highly competitive, highly nuanced, and with some of the most iconic characters in all of gaming, Overwatch is an easy recommendation. Blizzard Entertainment has issued constant updates and patches to keep the game balanced, and cross play with the upcoming Overwatch 2 means the game will continue to thrive for years. Matches are built around the need for careful strategizing and communication, with each player slotting into a specific role and making use of exclusive skills. The highly reviewed FPS is rounded out by  slick graphics, a great soundtrack, and a progression system that'll have you playing late into the night.

"Overwatch may well be the best new multiplayer shooter to come along since Modern Warfare and Team Fortress 2 took 2007 by storm. I can't wait to play more." — USgamer


apex-legends-3

Apex Legends

EA

Apex Legends (PS4)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of battle royales
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS5, Switch, XB1

Apex Legends is a fast-paced battle royale that sees dozens of teams fighting to be the last standing. You'll drop into the map with no weapons or gearing, scavenging your surroundings for every bit of loot you can get your hands on. Once you've found a gun, the action ramps up quickly. Beyond shooting, you'll be able to make use of a movement system that lets you scale walls or slide downhill to escape enemy fire. There's also a great roster of characters with their own skills — such as Bloodhound, who can detect nearby foes, or Wraith, which can open portals to slip away from danger.

"The combination of character-driven powers, streamlined team features, and fantastic gunplay have elevated this unexpected spin-off into my go-to battle royale." — Game Informer


halo-infinite-3

Halo Infinite

Xbox Game Studios

Halo Infinite (XBX)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Those looking for an incredible single-player campaign and competitive PvP
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, XB1

Halo Infinite is really two games in one. The first (and most interesting to Rainbow Six Siege players) is the multiplayer mode, which is offered entirely free to all players. It offers the traditional suite of Halo game modes (Capture the Flag, Deathmatch, and so on) while modernizing the game with new weapons, maps, a battle pass, and ranked matchmaking. The second is the solo campaign, which throws you into a gigantic open world and lets you complete missions as you see fit. It's incredibly well executed, and every FPS fan should check it out — although it's locked behind a $60 purchase unless you're a Game Pass member.

"It's hard not to love Halo Infinite, which is easily the most complete game in a franchise that's long set the bar for gaming." — New York Daily News


counter-strike-3

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Valve

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (PC)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of tactical shooters
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS3, XB360

It might be one of the oldest games on this list, but don't let that scare you away. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is just as popular as ever, with a competitive and casual scene that makes it easy to find a game at all times of day. Several game modes have been added over the years, but the standard "Terrorist vs. Counter-Terrorist" action remains the most popular. One team will be trying to plant a bomb in a set location, while the other does everything possible to keep the area safe. The action is unforgiving and comes with a steep learning curve, and the lack of respawns only serves to elevate the stakes.

"The core of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a reminder that quality can be permanent rather than fleeting." — Eurogamer


division-2-2

Division 2

Ubisoft

The Division 2 (PS4)

Metascore: 82
Best for: Fans of cover-based shooters and MMOs
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, Stadia, XB1

The Division 2 is a cover-based shooter that's set in a dystopian version of Washington, D.C. that's been decimated by a virus outbreak. You'll move from mission to mission, collecting powerful new gear and unraveling a compelling story, as you try to bring order back to the once bustling metropolis. What makes The Division 2 so fun is its cover-based mechanics, which let you hunker down and hold a position or quickly jump to a new vantage point. Whether you're into PvP, PvE, or just collecting loot and watching numbers go up, The Division 2 is worth a few hours of your time.

"Easily the best of its type; it has the right balance of fun, challenge, dopamine loot drops, and sweet graphics that all but guarantee I'll be playing this one for a long, long time to come." — Gameplanet


valorant-3

Valorant

Riot Games

Valorant (PC)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of unforgiving "hero shooters"
Where to buy: 


Also available on: N/A

As a "hero shooter" with a steep learning curve, Valorant isn't for the faint of heart. The core game mode pits an attacking team against a defending team, with each player picking a character that's equipped with unique abilities. And much like Rainbow Six Siege, understanding all these abilities is the best way to win a match. Weapons take a while to master too, as they all have different recoil patterns to consider before pulling the trigger. The competitive scene is very much alive, and as one of the most streamed games on Twitch, Valorant is officially here to stay.

"Do not be fooled by the cartoon style: Valorant is a highly skill based, punitive, not very permissive title with a really high learning curve." — Everyeye.it


payday-2-3

Payday 2

505 Games

Payday 2 (PC)

Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans of fast-paced, cooperative heists
Where to buy: 


Also available on: PS3, PS4, SwitchXB1XB360

Payday 2 isn't aiming for realism or tense 1v1 shootouts. Instead, it creates tension by threatening to send waves of enemies your way for making one wrong move. You'll team up with a few crew mates to pull off a heist, scouting out each location as a civilian before donning masks and drawing guns. Expert thieves will be able to get away without much conflict. But forget to tie down a civilian or get caught on camera, and you could be in for an extended battle with law enforcement as you flee with as much loot as you can carry.

"This is by far the most engrossing co-operative arcade experience I have had in a while." — Eurogamer Germany


insurgency-2

Insurgency: Sandstorm

Focus Entertainment

Insurgency: Sandstorm (PC)

Metascore: 78
Best for: Fans of high-intensity FPS games
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, XB1

If you're looking for the closest replacement for Rainbow Six Siege, Insurgency: Sandstorm should be high on your list. The FPS requires careful coordination with your team to survive, and its short time-to-kill means you'll need to keep your head on swivel as it only takes a few bullets to bring you down. Breaching doorways, peeking around corners, and using a variety of tactical gear are just as important as fast reflexes. When you're not on the battlefield, you can customize your character and weapons with a variety of gear to help you stand out (or blend in with your surroundings).

"Its gunplay is superb, its arsenal is exemplary, and the maps and modes are serviceable enough to facilitate its memorably frantic and immersive FPS combat." — IGN


sniper-elite-5-1

Sniper Elite 5

Rebellion Developments

Sniper Elite 5 (PS5)

Metascore: 77
Best for: Intricate sniping mechanics and slow-motion cameras
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1, XBX

Step back into the shoes of grizzled vet Karl Fairburne, as Sniper Elite 5 brings you to a 1944 France overrun with Nazi soldiers. The storyline is serviceable, but it does a great job of throwing you into beautiful locations filled with legions of enemies — that's where the game truly shines. When picking off enemies from a distance, you'll be treated to a gruesome, slow-motion replay of the action. If you're not keen on sniping, the game gives you a wide degree of freedom to approach its missions from different angles. So, whether you want to snipe, sneak, or rush in with shotguns, Sniper Elite 5 won't hold you back.

"The best the series has been, with layered combat, huge maps, and tons of options to get that all-important kill." — God is a Geek


rainbow-six-extraction-1

Rainbox Six Extraction

Ubisoft

Rainbow Six Extraction (PS5)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Those looks for a cooperative spin on Rainbow Six
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, Stadia, XB1, XBX

Rainbow Six Extraction borrows heavily from its older sibling. Controls and the overall feel of gunplay is remarkably similar to Siege, and you'll even see plenty of familiar faces. But instead of pitting you against another team of real players, you're facing off against a deadly alien threat. Gameplay is just as tactical as you'd expect from a Rainbow Six title, although you'll be up against more enemies than usual — many of which don't carry long-range weapons and tend to swarm your location. New gear, maps, and abilities are unlocked as you advance through the game, giving you a constant sense of progression. It's great on its own, but teaming up with a few friends makes Extraction even more exciting.

"If you are the type of person who liked the tactical aspects of Rainbow Six Siege but was put off by the PvP elements then Extraction is just the tactical experience you will really enjoy." — Player 2