Rainbow Six Siege First Hands-On Preview: Dual Front Mode Revitalizes the 10-Year-Old FPS

Back in my high school days, I was the sort of teenager who’d stay up until the very early hours of the morning glued to my PC screen, engrossed in video games. There was even a time I went nearly five nights without sleep, just to wrap up Baldur’s Gate II ‘Throne of Bhaal.’ What really drew me into the world of PC gaming, though, was the sheer creativity and innovation that developers often infused into their games.

A standout title for me was Red Faction. Its appeal was immediate—it had echoes of DOOM with its high-tech, first-person shooting set on Mars. But what set it apart was its unique terrain deformation feature. Picture this: you’re in the mines of Mars, and with the right explosive weapons, you can blast holes through walls, creating your own path by tunneling through rock and easily bypassing obstacles. This freedom to carve out your own journey was nothing short of amazing.

Sadly, the gaming world hasn’t explored this concept much in the years since. However, when Rainbow Six Siege arrived, with its ability to climb up, rappel down buildings, and blow through walls and ceilings, it reignited that same spark in my Red Faction-loving mind.

Siege initially was more streamlined and focused compared to the adventurous spirit of the old Volition game, but things are set to shift dramatically with the upcoming Siege X update. This isn’t just about upgrading gameplay, graphics, audio, and the interface. It’s about introducing an intriguing new permanent multiplayer mode: Dual Front.

In Dual Front, your options will be determined by a seasonal pool of Operators, and team sizes expand to six players per side. Instead of spawning in a single, fixed location, you can choose from three expansive areas, each with its own objectives. This means your team will divide its focus between attacking and defending multiple locations at the same time.

While the game’s scope and ambition have increased, the core gameplay remains as thrilling as ever. Matches begin with each team in their headquarters, where you manage simultaneous defend and attack missions across two key sections of your sector. Your team must decide where to go and how best to handle both roles.

In between the mirrored zones of each team lies a neutral area with added objectives. Completing these—like rescuing a hostage and escorting them to safety—can significantly tilt the game in your favor, making victory a possibility even if some initial locations are lost.

With the expanded territory in Dual Front, I found myself constantly adapting between offensive and defensive roles, making the matches feel more dynamic and varied than the typical Siege encounter. The outcome? An exhilarating chaos that kept me hooked.

The monthly updates to the seasonal Operator pools mean versatility is key, as you’ll have a mix of Attacker and Defender Operators available at a moment’s notice. This dynamic allows for rapid strategy shifts, which are now essential to counter the enemy during matches.

On multiple occasions, I’d start a match thinking my attacking team was in control, only to sprint across the map to aid teammates desperately defending our base. Sometimes, my efforts paid off, leading us to victory. Other times, I’d miscalculate or face unexpected ambushes. In these vast maps, the enemy’s whereabouts remain a mystery until they present a serious threat.

I’ve got to mention some exciting gameplay tweaks as well. Now, you can rappel around building corners and even sprint while doing so, offering new ways to breach structures. New environmental features like concussive fire extinguishers, flammable gas pipes, and tampered metal detectors add layers of strategy, creating much more interactive and expansive environments.

Alongside these gameplay shifts, Siege X will usher in a significant change in monetization with its free-to-play approach. Casual and onboarding playlists, unranked quickplay, and Dual Front will be readily available at no cost, featuring a selection of 26 Operators and skins. Competitive modes like Siege Cup and Ranked will require payment, unlocking access to a broader range of 50 Operators. Existing players won’t be left in the lurch; they’ll retain everything they’ve acquired and can enjoy a special badge that highlights their tenure, alongside extra perks for their loyalty.

Siege X also brings updated versions of five classic maps—Clubhouse, Chalet, Bank, Kafe, and Border—boosted visual and audio fidelity, first-person shadows, improved menus, better onboarding for newcomers, weapon inspection options, and more. The developers have pledged to add new Operators or revamp existing ones with each new season.

Yet, all these updates seem to fade in importance next to Dual Front, which I’m already favoring as my go-to mode for Siege. As Siege X approaches its release, celebrating a significant milestone—its tenth anniversary—I foresee Dual Front becoming my preferred way to play, offering a fresh and exciting take on an enduring favorite.