extraction shooters Archives

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

If I could change one thing in Arc Raiders this year, I’d abolish late spawns

The author completed their Expedition by acquiring the last Ion Sputter and reflected on their experiences in Stella Montis. They noted that late spawns in Arc Raiders, while previously a minor inconvenience, have become a significant hurdle due to the game's focus on Expeditions and resource collection. Specifically, late spawns drastically reduce the chances of obtaining necessary items like Ion Sputters and Frequency Modulation Boxes. The introduction of aggression-based matchmaking has further complicated resource gathering. The author argues that late spawns disrupt strategic planning and introduce randomness, making it difficult to achieve specific objectives. They suggest that if the game continues to emphasize resource pursuit, the late spawn mechanics should be reconsidered to align with other extraction shooters.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

Welcome to the FPS vibe shift

The FPS landscape is transforming, with trends indicating a shift away from high skill ceilings and expensive cosmetics in multiplayer FPS games. Gamers are expressing dissatisfaction with overpriced cosmetics, leading franchises like Call of Duty to reconsider their strategies. Activision announced that Black Ops 7 will not carry over skins from previous games, focusing instead on thematic cosmetics. Competitive shooters are broadening their appeal to casual audiences, with games like The Finals, Rainbow Six Siege, Splitgate 2, and Overwatch 2 introducing new modes that reduce competitive intensity. Purely co-op shooters, such as Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, continue to thrive, demonstrating lasting player engagement. Additionally, titles like Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7 are being developed as premium products, indicating that gamers are willing to pay for complete, high-quality experiences rather than free-to-play models that lack content.

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

Here are our favorite Steam Winter Sale 2025 deals, including The Witcher 3 for $4 and Arc Raiders’ first price drop

The Steam Winter Sale has begun, featuring significant discounts on various games. Key deals include: - Arc Raiders: 20% off, now priced at .99 / £24.79. - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: 50% off, now priced at .99 / £24.99; Royal Edition available for .99 / £32.99. - Fallout 76: 90% off, now priced at .49 / £3.49. - Silent Hill f: 40% off, now priced at .99 / £41.99. - The Witcher 3: 90% off, now priced at .49 / £2.49. Additional notable deals include: - Dispatch: 10% off. - Slay the Spire: 90% off, priced under . - Far Cry 6: 83% off. - Resident Evil 4: 60% off. The discounts will be available until Monday, January 5.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

Top Games to Try on a New PC

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is set in 1403 Bohemia, where players lead a resistance against Sigismund of Luxembourg, featuring enhanced first-person combat and a larger world. Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into a refined RPG with improved systems and stunning graphics set in Night City. Farming Simulator 25 offers an authentic agricultural experience with over 400 pieces of machinery and regular updates. Super Fantasy Kingdom combines city-building with roguelite elements in Early Access. Strange Antiquities is a puzzle game where players manage a shop of magical artifacts. Escape From Duckov is a humorous extraction shooter featuring a duck navigating combat zones. Path of Exile 2 expands on its predecessor with numerous classes and a vast skill system, currently in Early Access. Hades II follows Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, with enhanced mechanics and visuals. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG set on the island of Lumière, involving a mysterious event. Delta Force returns as a free-to-play tactical shooter with large-scale multiplayer and cosmetic-only monetization. ARC Raiders is a community-driven extraction shooter in a post-apocalyptic setting. Silent Hill f introduces a standalone chapter set in 1960s Ebisugaoka, featuring multiple endings and intricate puzzles. Recommended PC games for 2025 include Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Cyberpunk 2077, Farming Simulator 25, Hades II, and ARC Raiders. Delta Force offers free-to-play gameplay without pay-to-win mechanics. Cyberpunk 2077 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are ideal for testing high-end graphics. Most games accommodate new players, but some have complex mechanics suited for experienced players. ARC Raiders provides a cooperative experience for new PC owners.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

Best PC Games to Play During the Holidays

The winter holiday break offers PC gamers a chance to enjoy various games, whether solo or with others. Cooperative games for two players include Split Fiction, where players navigate dual worlds, Henry Halfhead, which features a puzzle-solving character, and LEGO Voyagers, which uses LEGO bricks for teamwork. Family-oriented games like Popucom, LEGO Fortnite Odyssey, and Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny emphasize accessible mechanics and cooperative play. For local multiplayer competition, EA SPORTS FC 26, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Mortal Kombat 1 are popular choices. Online co-op games such as Satisfactory, Out of Time, and PowerWash Simulator 2 allow players to connect remotely. Free-to-play options include Where Winds Meet, skate., and Infinity Nikki, which provide engaging experiences without cost. Immersive games like Escape from Duckov, Promise Mascot Agency, and Football Manager 26 offer deep gameplay experiences.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

The best PC games of all time in 2025

Since 1873, Rock Paper Shotgun has annually curated a selection of the finest PC games, beginning to document this list in 2021. The definition of the best PC games evolves each year, reflecting the current team's tastes. They aim to highlight personal favorites, intentionally leaving out other important titles. The team will unveil their selections for the RPS 100: 2025 Edition throughout the week. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth features dual protagonists Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, blending serious themes with surreal humor in a turn-based RPG format. Inscryption challenges players in a card game against a gremlin in a haunted forest, known for its creativity and unexpected twists. House Of The Dying Sun is a space combat game inspired by classics, offering exhilarating battles and intuitive controls. Dragon's Dogma II introduces the Unmaking Arrow, adding unpredictability to its gameplay. Devotion is recognized as a top horror game, exploring despair through a masterfully crafted narrative. DayZ is a survival mod for ArmA II that retains its core essence despite updates, emphasizing player interactions. Wreckfest is a driving game focused on chaos and enjoyment rather than just winning. Dyson Sphere Program immerses players in factory building across planets with smooth gameplay. BattleTech incorporates mercenary economics into tactical gameplay. Full Throttle is a classic adventure game with high production values and a gripping narrative. Deep Rock Galactic features procedurally generated environments and cooperative gameplay. Stray portrays a cat navigating a dystopian city, creating an immersive experience. Return Of The Obra Dinn involves investigating a maritime mystery through unique gameplay mechanics. Plants Vs Zombies is a charming tower defense game appealing to all ages. Pentiment explores 16th-century life through a monk's perspective, enhancing storytelling with its art style. Gorogoa offers a unique puzzle experience with hand-drawn art. Conquests of the Longbow blends historical authenticity with engaging gameplay in the Robin Hood saga. Into The Breach presents a tactical challenge with innovative mechanics prioritizing civilian safety. The Stanley Parable encourages exploration and choice, thriving on humor and inventive design. Peggle encapsulates randomness and joy through its simple premise. The next reveal of the 80th to 61st best PC games will occur tomorrow, with previous selections available from 2021 to 2024.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Former Starcraft 2 devs’ new space FPS is happy to take risks because “there’s never been a game quite like” it before

Dustin Browder and Jason Chayes have founded Moonshot Games under Mike Morhaime's Dreamhaven, with their first project being a game called Wildgate. Wildgate combines elements of extraction shooters, ship management, and classic space games into a cohesive first-person shooter. The development team drew inspiration from games like Sea of Thieves and examined battle royales for competitive play design. Browder emphasized the importance of game balance and community feedback, noting that Wildgate is a unique project without a definitive template. The game is currently available on Steam for half price until December 4.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

The PUBG extraction shooter spinoff springs back to life with a closed alpha test set for December, and its focus on exploration over pure combat sounds a lot like my favorite part of Arc Raiders

In 2023, Project Black Budget, a spinoff of the PUBG franchise designed as an extraction shooter, was announced with a closed alpha testing phase scheduled for December 2025. The testing will take place from December 12-14 and December 19-21, accessible to players in North America, Europe, and Asia. Interested players can request access via the game's Steam page, but entry is not guaranteed. There is no non-disclosure agreement for the alpha phase, allowing players to stream and share their gameplay. Access keys will also be available through Twitch Drops during the testing period. PUBG Studios has acknowledged potential technical issues during the alpha and aims to refine gameplay systems through community feedback.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

A new rival to Tarkov and Arc Raiders, PUBG Black Budget lets you try its supernatural extraction action very soon

Krafton has announced PUBG Black Budget, a spinoff from its multiplayer franchise, entering the extraction shooter genre. Alpha playtests will begin next month without a non-disclosure agreement. The game, set on the island of Coli, features a time loop and PvPvE threats, focusing on exploration and discovery rather than just survival. It includes a 2.5×2.5 km open-world environment, 30-minute matches, squads of up to three players, and a maximum of 45 real players alongside PvE adversaries. The game will have two weekends of alpha testing: December 12-14 and December 19-21, available on Steam.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Escape From Tarkov shoots to the top of Downdetector, debuts on Steam to ‘Mixed’ reviews as players struggle to log in: ‘Best extraction shooter that you CAN’T play’

Escape From Tarkov has achieved significant success without major digital storefronts like Steam and has established the extraction shooter genre. Its Steam debut coincides with the game's 1.0 release, leading to hundreds of connection issue reports per hour on Downdetector. This has resulted in a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with players expressing frustration over technical difficulties. The developers have acknowledged these issues and are working to stabilize the servers. Players have reported being unable to create accounts due to website maintenance and have encountered various error codes. Despite these challenges, Escape From Tarkov is currently the second best-selling game on Steam, with around 19,000 concurrent players.