In the world of video games, shooter games have always been popular. However, not all shooter games are created equal, and one genre that has risen in popularity over the past few years is extraction shooter games. But, what exactly is an extraction shooter game?
What is an Extraction Shooter Game?
In simplest terms, this type of game involves players fighting their way through a dangerous environment to extract valuable items or themselves from the location.
What sets extraction shooter games apart from other shooter games is the emphasis on risk-reward gameplay and player customization. In this article, we will explore the critical elements that make a great extraction shooter game and why they are so important for creating an engaging and thrilling gaming experience.
By the end, you will have a better understanding of what makes a top-tier extraction shooter game that keeps players coming back for more.
Key Features of a Great Extraction Shooter Game
Map Design
Map design is an essential component of a great extraction shooter game. The best maps tend to provide players with interesting choices and have many different options available so that they are very replayable.
Great Extraction Shooter Maps Provide the Player with Interesting Choices
A well-designed map provides players with unique and interesting choices, making the gameplay feel more immersive and engaging. Players can choose different paths, utilize different weapons, and take different risks to achieve their goals.
This creates a sense of empowerment and allows players to feel like they are in complete control of their gaming experience.
Related Article: All Escape from Tarkov Maps, Ranked from Worst to Best
Improve Replayability
Moreover, a great extraction shooter game has maps that are designed to be replayed multiple times. A challenging level can encourage players to come back and try again, employing different strategies to overcome the obstacles.
Additionally, well-designed levels can have randomized elements or dynamic events that change with each playthrough, further increasing replayability. By providing players with new challenges on each trip, game developers can make sure that their game stays fresh and exciting, even after multiple playthroughs.
Overall, a great extraction shooter game must have levels that are intricately crafted to promote exploration, and experimentation and increase the game’s overall replayability factor.
Difficulty
The difficulty level of an extraction shooter game plays a crucial role in the overall gaming experience. A great extraction shooter game must provide a constant challenge, even as the player accumulates more items and progresses through the game’s content.
However, it is essential to ensure that the game is not too challenging, such that new players cannot enjoy it. Striking a balance between providing a satisfying challenge for experienced players while also making the game accessible for new players is critical.
Weapons Need to Be Front and Center
The balance between different types of weapons, their accuracy, and the sound they make when firing all contribute to the player’s immersion in the game.
Additionally, how the weapons feel in the player’s control is essential for conveying a sense of power and capability. Weapon upgrades and customizable features enhance the player’s experience by providing them with unique ways to approach gameplay (more on customizability in just a little bit).
Players want to utilize different builds for different types of gameplay and tactics, and understanding which weapons work best in various situations is critical.
Ultimately, the weapons in an Extraction-style shooter game must feel balanced, powerful, and satisfying to use, allowing players to feel like they are in complete control of their gaming experience.
Extraction Shooters Must Have a Lot of Customization Options
Customization is paramount in the extraction shooter genre because the player’s gear and their own choices are the two single most important factors in determining their success. Without the ability to customize their gear, they would have few interesting choices.
Players like to experiment with different equipment builds as they try out new play styles, and the variety of customization options available plays a huge role in how players approach each encounter. It is essential developers provide players with a vast array of options while designing an extraction shooter game, as this enables them to tailor their gameplay experience to their preferences and playstyle.
Visual customization is also an essential aspect of customization in extraction shooter games like Escape from Tarkov. The ability to personalize their character’s appearance makes the player feel more engaged with the game and can even affect the outcome of the mission.
Realism is Very Important
Realism is important in extraction shooter games because it creates an atmosphere of tension, risk, and reward that is unmatched by other genres.
Extraction shooter players want to feel as though their in-game actions have real-world consequences, and they want to be challenged in a way that requires them to approach each encounter with caution and strategy.
Realistic gunplay that is brutal and intense adds to the immersion of the game, making players feel as though they are actually in the game world. This type of gameplay is vastly different from more arcade-like shooter games (e.g. Call of Duty), where players can run and gun with little consequence.
Examples of the Best Extraction Shooter Games and What Makes Them Compelling
The extraction shooter genre has grown exponentially in recent years, and there are several excellent examples of the genre available today. We’ll cover those in a bit of detail for anyone looking to know what it’s like to play extraction shooters.
1. Escape from Tarkov
Tarkov is widely regarded as the best example of an extraction shooter game due to its immersive gameplay and realistic mechanics. The player count in Escape from Tarkov is also very high, a great indicator of the game’s continued popularity and success from its loyal fan base.
Intense and Realistic
The game’s emphasis on realism creates a sense of tension and urgency, making each encounter feel like a life-or-death situation.
The high-stakes risk-reward system further adds to the game’s intensity, pushing players to make difficult decisions that can mean the difference between success and failure. This, combined with the game’s unforgiving nature, creates an atmosphere of constant danger and keeps players on the edge of their seat.
Detailed Customization Options
Another key aspect that makes Escape from Tarkov stand out is its extensive customization options. Players can customize everything from their weapons and gear to their character’s appearance and behavior.
This allows players to tailor their loadouts to suit their playstyle and gives them a sense of ownership over their character. Additionally, the game features a complex progression system that rewards player skill and dedication, providing a constant sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Overall, Escape from Tarkov stands out as one of the best examples of an extraction shooter game due to its immersive gameplay, realistic mechanics, high-stakes risk-reward system, and extensive customization options. Players looking to get started many wonder, “is Escape from Tarkov free?” Check out our guide on how to get started.
2. Hunt: Showdown
PvPvE Gameplay
Hunt: Showdown is undoubtedly one of the best examples of an extraction shooter game due to its unique blend of PvPvE gameplay.
The game offers players a thrilling experience, pitting them against not only other players but also dangerous monsters reminiscent of zombies and other nightmarish creatures. Players must navigate through the game’s atmospheric and terrifying setting, relying on their skills and teamwork to survive the many enemies in Hunt Showdown.
The combination of both PvE and PvP gameplay in Hunt: Showdown creates a unique experience that challenges extraction shooter players in ways that few other games can match.
Hunt’s Dark Atmosphere is Original and Compelling for Extraction Shooter Fans
The lore in Hunt Showdown, combined with the game’s atmospheric setting and sound design, make Hunt: Showdown stand out.
The game takes place in a dark, swampy world full of danger, and the visuals and audio work together to create a truly immersive experience.
The sound design, in particular, is noteworthy, with every creak and groan adding to the tension and atmosphere of the game. This is because players must rely on auditory cues to alert them of danger before it is too late. These elements combine to create an unforgettable experience that keeps players engaged and on edge.
Hunt Showdown is one of the best games ever made, not just among other extraction shooters. Check out our Hunt review to learn why we can confidently say that.
The Game Has a Very High Difficulty Level that Constantly Challenges
Finally, Hunt: Showdown’s challenging difficulty level adds to its appeal as a top-notch extraction shooter game. The game is incredibly challenging, with a high level of difficulty that can be daunting for new players.
But the sense of accomplishment that comes with overcoming these challenges is unmatched, making Hunt: Showdown a rewarding experience for those who are up to the task.
3. Marauders
Marauders is another great example of an extraction shooter game done well due to its dynamic maps and unique space-ship combat mechanics. In fact, many refer to Marauders as Escape from Tarkov in space.
Players are able to customize their ships and engage in space combat before and after the typical FPS shooter phase, which keeps the game varied and interesting. It’s also more realistic, which is something fans of the genre favor.
The large variety of different weapon and armor types in Marauders is another factor that makes it a standout title in the extraction shooter genre. Players can customize their ship and their character’s weapons and armor, allowing them to tailor their gameplay to their preferences.
Related Article: How to Survive When Your Ship Gets Breached in Marauders
Potential Improvements for Future Extraction Shooter Games
Improved AI
Future extraction shooter games could benefit from incorporating more realistic and authentic AI behaviors, making the game challenging without being unfair. While Hunt does have great PvE encounters, they are themed more around monsters and zombies that are simple.
We hope to see developers improving enemy intelligence, introducing new AI-controlled characters, and adding more varied and complex objectives to missions in future games in the genre.
Removing Game Wipes While Maintaining Playability for All
One downside to many extraction shooter games is that they require players be “wiped” of all of their earned equipment periodically in order to keep the game fresh and competitive.
We hope that future developers figure out a creative solution that will allow players to continue progressing without requiring a wipe in order to maintain balance.
Related Article: How Often Does Escape From Tarkov Wipe?
Last Thoughts on What Makes a Great Extraction Shooter Game
In conclusion, a great extraction shooter game should offer players an immersive and challenging experience that keeps them engaged from start to finish.
The game’s map design should provide interesting choices and encourage replayability, while the difficulty should strike a balance between providing a challenge and being accessible to new players.
Customization options for weapons and gear are essential for player immersion and engagement, and a high level of realism and difficulty is important for creating an atmosphere of tension and strategy.
Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown, and Marauders are examples of some of the best extraction shooter games on the market, with each offering unique gameplay mechanics and immersive environments.
Future extraction shooter games could benefit from incorporating improved AI behaviors and finding a solution to game wipes while maintaining playability for all.
Ultimately, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the genre, a great extraction shooter game should provide a thrilling and rewarding experience that keeps you coming back for more.
By taking into account the key features outlined in this article, you’ll be better equipped to find your next favorite extraction shooter game.
