If you had given me ten attempts to guess the premise of the first game to mimic the name of Escape From Tarkov, I would have struggled. In fact, even with a hundred tries, I would never have predicted Escape From Duckov. Yet, here we are, where mercenaries are replaced by ducks, and the intensity of first-person shooting gives way to a top-down chaotic experience. While it shares a name with Tarkov, its essence diverges significantly. The clever wordplay and the premise of a PvE looter shooter have sparked a notable increase in players since its launch today, piquing my own interest to explore it further.
Gameplay Dynamics
It’s essential to approach Escape From Duckov with tempered expectations regarding gameplay. Yes, it is a survival game featuring firearms, and yes, players can extract with the loot they gather. However, the game lacks the meticulous tactics, progression wipes, and the hardcore multiplayer FPS elements that characterize its namesake. And, of course, there are ducks—an abundance of them.
Following a series of alpha tests and player feedback, today’s full release unveils a wealth of new content. Among these enhancements are customizable difficulty modes tailored to individual preferences. Yet, even the developers at Team Soda may not have anticipated the overwhelming response to their whimsical loot-based survival shooter. The game has already reached nearly 35,000 concurrent players on Steam on its launch day, a number that could continue to rise as more players seek a lighthearted escape.
To maintain player engagement, Team Soda has committed to delivering free content updates influenced by community feedback—though a brief holiday break is on the horizon first. A hotfix has already been rolled out to address bugs and enhance overall playability. For those encountering issues, it is advisable to start a fresh save for the full game, as progress will need to be earned anew.
If you’re eager for some duck-on-duck action, this top-down looter shooter may be the perfect fit. The potential for it to gain traction on platforms like Twitch and YouTube is evident, so consider diving in now to say you were part of the early wave before it captures mainstream attention.
Escape From Duckov is now available on Steam for .83 / £15.83. You can purchase it here, keeping in mind the unfavorable exchange rates for British players—a quirk we might just have to accept.
If you’re on the lookout for more action-packed titles, take a glance at our best war games list. Alternatively, if you prefer an immersive solo experience, our guide to the best single-player games could provide the perfect escape.
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