Escape From Tarkov initially came out eight years ago in the Alpha stage, offering a unique genre of Extraction Shooter with a high level of realism. It was the first time that the FPS enjoyers experienced anything like it. After the initial release, the game stepped into the Beta stage, improving and adding more content for the players to enjoy. Fast forwarding to the current time, Escape From Tarkov is finally here with its 1.0 full build. The game includes a complete story, 11 playable maps, new quests, and much more. However, the number of bugs and the extra cost of playing PVE servers still hold the full potential of Tarkov to be experienced. This is our review of Escape from Tarkov.
NOTE: The developers provided the review copy of Escape From Tarkov.
World and Setting
Escape from Tarkov is set in a fictional city of Tarkov, located in the Norvinsk region of Russia. The city is in chaos due to political and economic collapse, with two private military companies, USEC and BEAR, fighting to take control. USEC works for Terra Group, a multinational corporation that is behind shady dealings. Its main task is to cover up the tracks of Terra Group. BEAR, on the other hand, is put together by the government to investigate Terra Group interests and counter USEC.
The chaotic situation in Tarkov makes the tone of the world grim, realistic, and unforgiving, emphasizing survival, tactical combat, and resource management. It is nothing like never before, and that’s what makes EFT the most unique extraction shooter.
Gameplay
Escape from Tarkov is a first-person PvP and PvE extraction shooter where players venture into different areas of a war-torn city to scavenge resources, fight enemies, and extract safely back to the main hub. The gameplay offers tactical combat with great realism, increasing the overall survival aspect. You will have to go extra prepared for every raid, as you can get various types of injuries through various means. There is no HP bar, but getting shot can cause light and heavy bleeds, which are both tackled through different items. If you don’t have an appropriate item to stop the bleeding, you will keep losing blood, eventually dying.
Not only that, but taking multiple hits to a body part or falling from a height will fracture the bones. Your character will feel great pain, making it difficult to perform actions or even run. You will have to perform surgeries in the middle of the raid and heal to get properly back on your feet. The depth of realism in EFT is unlike any other game. The learning curve of EFT is one of the best in the extraction shooter genre. You will have to play several raids on one map to figure out the map and extraction zones, as there is no map to help you navigate through the raid. Remembering the layout of the map and making safer routes yourself is what keeps you alive in EFT.
Combat
Combat is the highlight of EFT. The in-depth of ammunition and gun-building feels like a whole Weaponry Simulation within. Every gun has numerous ammunition types. Some bullets are average, some deal greater penetration damage, and some are great for range fights. There is no in-game guide to learn about the ammunition types, which makes it more difficult to understand every ammunition type for your weapons. Once you get hold of the ammunition types, there is a whole gun-building mechanic. Unlike other shooters, EFT offers hundreds of pieces for gun-building. You can alter and experiment with different parts to make a custom gun. Although it feels like a lot of work in the start, it is quite fun once you get the hang of it.
After that comes the actual combat. The recoil control, durability system, and bullet placement all play a crucial role in combat. If you are using a low-durability weapon, you will run into weapon malfunctions like jamming. It is not good to get a weapon jam while fighting other raiders. Moreover, bringing a better ammunition type will give an edge in a raid, as you can eliminate another player with a single headshot. If you are using an average bullet, the headshot will not deal as much damage. You have to be precise in every action during combat, as one mistake can end your raid.
The Hub, Traders, Crafting, and Skills
The hub area includes various traders, who are also the quest givers. Complete the quests for them to get potential rewards. Sell and purchase various types of items from the traders. Use the materials to level up the different workstations, which will help in crafting items. You will have to use numerous items to build and level up the workstations. Moreover, you will be using the items and money to upgrade the maximum stash to store more items.
Escape from Tarkov uses the deep skill system. Skills improve through use rather than experience points. For instance, if you want to improve stamina, you must run and deplete stamina numerous time to improve the stamina skill. Moreover, it works the same for weapons. If you want to improve weaponry for various weapons, you must use those weapons frequently. As you play more, the better your character will become. However, if you stop using certain skills for a time, those will start to decline.
Server Load Time and Pay-To-Win Aspects
Now, let’s talk about server load time, which is the worst. Despite the game being out for eight years, the Devs have not fixed the long server load times. I get the long time on matchmaking and all, but it literally takes five minutes to get into a match on even a PvE server, for which you have to pay an extra $30. If you are not having a good time in the PvP server, which is the default, and want to learn the game peacefully, you will have to buy the PvE expansion.
The pay-to-win aspect feels very odd in the extraction shooter. To get better weapons, a reputation with traders, the biggest stash, and other modes, it will cost you $250. The standard version of the game offers only average weapons and armor. You will have to build everything yourself, which will take hundreds of hours.
Sound
The sound design of Escape from Tarkov is exceptional. Every sound of the environment and footsteps of other players stay crystal clear, especially if you are wearing a headset in-game. It is very easy to hear what’s happening around you. However, you must stay vigilant at all times to deal with encroaching dangers.
Verdict – Score 7/10
Escape from Tarkov might be the pioneer of the Extraction Shooter genre, but it still feels lacking after its full release. The number of janky bugs, long server times, pay-to-win aspects, and the extra costs for PvE hold players back from getting the complete experience of what Tarkov city has to offer. However, if you are a returning player who has watched EFT formed, then I must say that it is in a very good state. The improvements and additions in the game make it feel grander than ever. It is a unique experience with brutal combat and realistic mechanics. Moreover, you can easily spend hundreds of hours managing your stash. EFT is grand, bold, brutal, chaotic, unforgiving, and lacking.
Escape from Tarkov 1.0 is now available on Steam and Battlestate Launcher.
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