Arcade game mode Headshot is back in Rainbow Six Siege, a game mode where only players with great aim will prevail. If you are one of those mechanically gifted players, you are going to rock the Headshot server. On the contrary, bad aiming skills will lead you to despair.
Headshot is a game mode where operators can only shoot at their opponents' heads. With the removal of the preparation/droning phase and the cap of the operators' unique traits, there's no room for tactics and strat books. Players are given an iron body that repels bullets and a weapon that is only impactful if aimed at the head.
Although all of that can quickly irritate players with a lack of aim, I think this is a different and perfect Siege experience in many ways — but far from being the "true" Siege experience.
Headshot mode is all about mechanical skills
Making the game less tactical and more about getting kills makes this game more appealing for some, believe it or not. The removal of these Siege characteristics such as the preparation/droning phase makes the game much more dynamic, which the casual enjoyer will surely thank. I was highly impressed by how that made me enjoy the casual environment of the mode.
This is about pew-pewing people, that's it. Just like Team Deathmatch — but a bit less crazy and with not so many explosions.
The maps chosen to feature in Headshot also do the job. Bank, Clubhouse, Outback, and Coastline are maps where players usually clash and have gunfights regularly. Also, they are pretty much common maps — with Outback being the only exception.
Regarding operators, Headshot does something that is key to me. It gives players the chance to play any operator regardless of having it unlocked before. Although the user won't be able to activate the operator's unique gadget — which I reiterate will make them miss out on the true Siege experience — trying new weapons is appealing. Many players will head to the game mode just to try out locked operators.
However, not all Siege operators are in Headshot, which is something I don't understand. Siege leaves more than half of the operator pool out of the game mode, which I feel weakens the experience in this game mode. Fewer operators, fewer options, fewer weapons to try out — which, after all, is the perfect combination for players to get bored sooner of Headshot.
Well, that's what probably would eventually happen if players had the time to get bored of Headshot, as this game mode will stay for just five days in the game. Truth is, Ubisoft has plans to open a list including many different game modes that will be rotating every few days, but considering that's not a reality just yet, five days — which is less than a week, with three days being Thursday, Friday, and Monday — seems short as a breath of air.
But after all, a breath of fresh air for Siege.
No matter what, newer game modes are always welcomed. We are sure Ubisoft can surprise us with greater things other than recycled events. After all, this is not the first time we see Headshot in action. This is not a surprise but a deja vu. You will enjoy it much first, but after some time it will get a bit boring.
Overall, Headshot is a great experience in a constant downfall: A quick game mode, not very challenging if you have great aim. Or too challenging if aiming isn't your thing. Sometimes winning and winning (or losing and losing), will get you bored.
"This isn't challenging anymore" or "I can't hit a single bullet, I am bored!" There's no middle ground in Headshot. You either love it or hate it.