After three years since Outback was released in Operation Burnt Horizon,Rainbow Six Siegefinally has a new map for players to explore. Emerald Plains is a country club/horse ranch that is the first of three new maps set to release inRainbow Six Siege’s Year 7 roadmap (next season’s map is exclusive to team deathmatch while one more competitive map is set for the third season). This Irish manor is made up of two gigantic floors, each with its own layout and features. As with all newRainbow Six Siegemaps, players have their work cut out for them if they want to learn Emerald Plains inside and out.
The introduction of a new map is more than just a breath of fresh air forRainbow Six Siege;now almost a 7-year-old game. It’s a sign that Ubisoft isn’t leaving the game to die. AfterRainbow Six Extraction’s release,Siegeplayers were worried that the company was diverting its resources to the new title, but it seems these players were worked up about nothing. The introduction ofnew operators like Azami, new modes like team deathmatch, and new maps like Emerald Plains indicate that the future ofRainbow Six Siegeis going to be brighter than ever.
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A New Map Is More Than A New Operator
Going back to Emerald Plains, the addition of anewRainbow Six Siegemapgives players hours upon hours of new content. Unlike new operators, whose defining gadgets can be mastered in the span of a few hours, maps seem to always have something new. Whether it’s new ways to rotate from location to location, new lines of sight, or how each room vertically connects with another, players new and old will find that learning a new map is a refreshing experience.
Emerald Plains' Locations Have Many Unique Features
Ubisoft has learned from its pastRainbow Six Siegemap designs and reworksand has given players what it thinks is the best version of Emerald Plains (at least for now). The map takes elements from previous locations like Villa and Kafe yet remains wholly unique. Like the aforementioned maps, Emerald Plains has multiple side stairs a central area that overlooks the lower floor.
Each location in Emerald Plains, from the rooms to the staircases, is easily identifiable. Green and Orange Stairs both evoke a calm aura of their respective colors, while Fountain Stairs can easily be classified thanks to the clear blue fountain near its base. Likewise, locations like the Statue Room and Ceramics Gallery can be recognized by the items found in their respective rooms. This makes it extremely easy for players to learn the locations and make good callouts to their teammates, as each place is wholly unique and features a theme unlike any other.
The Map Itself Is Pretty Straightforward
Unlike otherRainbow Six Siegelocationsthat feature more floors and secret passageways, Emerald Plains is quite easy to learn. The map only has two floors with rooms that connect to each other, making rotations and sightlines easy to make and commit to memory. When combined with the easily identifiable nature of each location, defending players can spend more time learning which walls are soft and need reinforcing, while the attacking team can exploit the map’s weaknesses to find an opening.
Since this isRainbow Six Siege’s first map in a long time, it might be a while before Ubisoft decides to rework it. The overall level design is good (except for maybe that hatch above the first floor Bar), and the map is balanced so thatboth defenders and attackerslack an unfair advantage. While the map can be played in Ranked, Unranked, Quick Match, Team Deathmatch, Newcomer, and Terrorist Hunt, an exclusive playlist dedicated solely to Emerald Plains can be enjoyed until the end of the upcoming weekend. Players looking to learn the map as quickly as possible should make use of this playlist while it is still up.
Rainbow Six Siegeis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
