The big question on everyone’s mind is: What exactly is Siege X? Is it a sequel? A new game? Ubisoft has made it clear—it’s none of the above. Instead, Siege X refines and modernizes the core game while introducing new ways to play.
Rainbow Six Siege’s 5v5 mode has been a staple of the competitive shooter market for a decade. Despite its longevity, the game has maintained a strong player base without drastic changes. However, visually, Siege has started to show its age. While it has always prioritized solid gameplay over visual fidelity, it was clear that the game needed an upgrade to stay competitive in today’s market.
Siege X marks the biggest evolution the game has seen in years. While staying true to its core mechanics, it introduces a new game mode and a complete modernization of the game’s visuals and mechanics. Every aspect has been fine-tuned to bring Siege up to today’s industry standards.
Jumping into my first game of Siege X, the most noticeable change was the lighting improvements—one of the game’s biggest visual upgrades. Shadows now appear more realistic, even on operators, and every detail, from weapons to surfaces, looks sharper and more refined. Ubisoft has meticulously revamped the game, giving it a fresh coat of paint while maintaining its identity. The overall UI and look will get a fresh update, making it more cleaner and less
Another major change is the introduction of new destruction mechanics, or as Ubisoft calls them, “destruction ingredients.” Players can now blow up gas pipelines to block enemy rotations or pushes, and use fire extinguishers to temporarily stun and disorient opponents. While simple on paper, these additions could significantly impact Siege’s meta and strategic depth.
As a long-time Siege player, Siege X feels smoother, more refined, and overall better to play. Movement is noticeably less clunky, and the new rappelling animations allow for faster, more fluid movement along walls and around edges. This improvement gives players more freedom in vertical navigation—something that previously felt stiff and restrictive.
Audio has long been a point of contention in Siege, and Siege X directly addresses this issue entirely with the new Audio 2.0. This revamped technology offers greater accuracy and distinction, improving upon its predecessor in significant ways. Sound now varies more realistically based on walls, elevation, and distance, making it easier for players to pinpoint enemy movements. While I’ve personally never had major issues with Siege’s audio, this update is a huge step forward in addressing one of the community’s most persistent concerns.
One of the biggest changes coming with Siege X is the introduction of a Free Access version. This allows new players to try the game without an upfront purchase, lowering the barrier to entry. However, free players will be limited to casual modes and Dual Front, with access to a restricted operator pool. Ranked play remains locked to prevent the influx of cheaters, a common issue in free-to-play titles.
Overall, Siege X is the quality-of-life overhaul that fans have been waiting for. While it’s not a full-fledged sequel or a complete reinvention, it doesn’t need to be. The updates modernize the game, enhance visuals, and refine core mechanics while preserving the tight, tactical gameplay that has defined Siege for years. Ubisoft has made it clear—they’re aiming for another 10 years of Siege, and Siege X is the foundation for that future.
Rainbow Six: Siege is launching on June 11th free for those playing on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
