‘Rainbow Six: Parasite’ release date, gameplay: 5 things revealed from the leaked technical test

An hour of “Rainbow Six: Parasite” gameplay recently leaked online reportedly after Ubisoft opened the game’s technical test. It has revealed interesting details about the upcoming game, including the possible roster of Operators as well as the main villains and their behavior.

‘Rainbow Six: Parasite’ features at least 5 Operators from ‘Siege’

Since “Rainbow Six: Parasite” is not entirely a new title, fans can expect some elements from “Rainbow Six Siege” to be featured in the upcoming game. The leak suggests that the available roster of Operators will include playable characters from the original game, such as Alibi, Ela, Finka, Lion, Tachanka, and Vigil.

IGN reports that these Operators will have the same set of skills that they have in “Siege.” Upon starting “Rainbow Six: Parasite,” players would have to choose an Operator, and they will be brought to a loadout screen to customize their weapon and gears, including recon drone, armor, and ammo bag. Players can also equip the Operator with an explosive with options such as a stun grenade, nitro cell, and scan grenade.

The main villains are an army of parasites called Archaeans

As the title suggests, the main adversaries in the game will be an army of parasites called Archaeans. Based on how they are described, the alien parasites appear to respond fast once they detect enemies attacking their kind. That means when “Rainbow Six: Parasite” players start to fight them, expect more of them to appear in the area.

Stealth might be the best way to win in ‘Rainbow Six: Parasite’ missions

Due to that nature, “Rainbow Six: Parasite” reportedly recommends that players use stealth fighting strategies to take out the Archaeans. The leaked gameplay video suggested that players will be able to equip themselves with a REACT blade that they can use to stealthily kill the parasites and collect samples. Aside from calling for reinforcements, killing Archaeans in non-stealth actions will reportedly prompt them to secrete Biofilm that would make it harder for the Operators to move.

‘Rainbow Six: Parasite’ has Sub-Zones where players will gather intel

The full story of “Rainbow Six: Parasite” has yet to be revealed, but the gameplay reportedly revolves around players completing missions that will primarily have them place trackers on Archaean nests and collect parasite samples. The map is divided into Sub-Zones that each have one objective for Operators to complete sealed by airlocks. That means when the Operator moves to a new Sub-Zone, they cannot go back to the last point.

Each Sub-Zone also has an extraction point where players can end their “incursion.” But there is also an option to skip the extraction point, move to a new Sub-Zone, and face greater challenges for a bigger payout.

‘Rainbow Six: Parasite’ players could go MIA

The “Rainbow Six: Parasite” leak also revealed that players could be lost or left behind in a Sub-Zone, so it is one thing to consider before opting for better rewards in more dangerous Sub-Zones. Operators who will not make it in time to the extraction point will be trapped in an archaean tree, which seems like a web of Biofilm based on how it has been described.

MIA Operators can still be saved once another Incursion begins, but freeing them from the Archaean tree does not sound like an easy task. The tree will fight back other players trying to save the trapped Operator. One way to defeat it is by shooting its anchor points and save the Operator before the tree reabsorbs its body.

Note that all these details are based on the game’s version during a technical test, so there is a chance that some gameplay aspects could be changed before the official launch. “Rainbow Six: Parasite” is expected to be released sometime this year on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, but Ubisoft has yet to announce a specific date.