'Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege' gameplay and microtransactions first impressions

Ubisoft website

Although the game's closed and open betas were marred with glitches and delays, publisher Ubisoft still kept its latest shooter title on track. As scheduled, the next installment in the "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six" franchise rolled out its full version Dec. 1.

"Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege" is the latest multiplayer offering that combines team strategy with full-on, first-person shooting gameplay, and first impressions of the next-gen Ubisoft title are favorable. According to PC Gamer, a signature feature of "Tom Clancy" series of shooter titles made its way to the latest title. Instead of a straight-on shootout, the primary gameplay mode for "Rainbow Six: Siege" 5v5 multiplayer involves a planning stage.

Before each session, opposing teams must lay out their strategies depending on which side they are on. For the attackers, the planning stage involves reconnaissance with drones to check out the defenses. The other team, tasked with defending an objective, must use the map to their advantage, laying out traps and checking out ambush points in the area.

Meanwhile, Destructoid mentioned how players can take advantage of microtransactions, which Ubisoft also integrated into "Rainbow Six: Siege." Using Renown, the in-game currency, players can buy weapons, unlock character specialists called Operators, and purchase in-game items like weapon skins and boosters. Unlike traditional microtransactions, however, there is a way to earn in-game currency without real-world cash involved. Players can earn Renown by achieving objectives in single-player missions, competing online, and doing in-game tasks such as watching tutorial videos.

However, players can still buy credits with cash, and these "Rainbow Six" credits can also be used in lieu of Renown. Packs come in minimum of 600 "R6" credits per pack for $4.99. In addition, there are also "Renown booster" items that can be purchased with credits, and this booster will generate Renown much faster than normal when used.

The full version of "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege" is now live for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.