extraction shooters Archives

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

The best extraction shooters on PC or: how I learned there are other games like Arc Raiders

Extraction shooters are experiencing a renaissance with a growing selection of titles catering to various playstyles. These games revolve around the concept of "extraction," requiring players to safely leave a mission area with collected loot, risking loss upon death. Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter available on Steam and Epic, where players combat massive flying robots and navigate potential teammate betrayal while scavenging for gear. It features aggressive matchmaking and offers both PvE and PvP experiences, with optional seasonal gear wipes. Marathon, a first-person extraction shooter from Bungie, includes unique character classes with distinct abilities and fast-paced rounds. Players can quickly accumulate gear and have unlimited free loadouts, with a narrative enriched by colorful quest-givers. Escape from Duckov is a top-down extraction shooter where players control ducks on quests, offering easy mechanics, exploration, base building, and gear upgrades, making it suitable for newcomers. Hunt: Showdown is set in the Louisiana bayou, emphasizing stealth and strategic gameplay as players hunt bosses and contend with rival hunters, featuring a long-term progression system. Witchfire blends single-player gameplay with fast-paced action and inventive weapons, maintaining an engaging loop of resource gathering and upgrading, currently in Early Access. The Forever Winter is a third-person shooter set in an apocalyptic world, focusing on survival amidst towering mechs and tanks, still in Early Access with some performance challenges. The extraction shooter genre is diversifying, offering experiences for both casual gamers and seasoned veterans.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

I like Arc Raiders, but Marathon made me fall in love with extraction shooters

Many players of Destiny were intrigued yet uncertain about Marathon, which combines elements of an extraction shooter and a reboot of a classic Mac series. The game features an immersive gameplay experience set on the alien world of Tau Ceti IV, characterized by a tense atmosphere and engaging visuals. Players face challenges from the UESC and other Runners while navigating a cyberpunk-inspired environment. The gunplay mechanics are highly praised, offering impactful shooting experiences with strategic choices based on Shell class abilities. Marathon is available for .39 / £30.09 at Fanatical, providing a more economical option than Steam.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Marathon feels like the yin to my Arc Raiders yang

In Arc Raiders, players can collaborate through features like proximity chat and shared objectives, while also facing formidable foes. The game emphasizes a relaxed atmosphere with opportunities for camaraderie among players. In contrast, Marathon fosters a competitive mindset, encouraging aggressive interactions and a focus on maximizing player-versus-player effectiveness. The first-person perspective in Marathon aligns with a competitive gameplay style, while the third-person viewpoint in Arc Raiders promotes social interaction and community engagement. Both games provide safety nets for players to recover lost resources, but they offer distinctly different experiences in terms of gameplay dynamics and player interactions.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Should Marathon change its divisively fast Server Slam time-to-kill?

Marathon's four-day Server Slam concluded, with Bungie analyzing player feedback and statistics. A notable metric was the number of bottles of alien milk stolen from Tau Ceti. Bungie is considering changes to the time-to-kill (TTK) mechanics and the introduction of a duo queue, amidst divided community opinions on gameplay pace. The current TTK is fast, leading to quick eliminations, while the game's revive system allows teammates to bring back fallen players, affecting combat dynamics. Players are encouraged to be cautious and strategic due to the rapid pace and limited resources available during the Server Slam. Adjustments to TTK could disrupt the game's balance, and Bungie is monitoring feedback closely before the official launch.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I’ve gone from ‘meh’ to believer

Last year, Embark and Bungie conducted playtests for their extraction shooters, with Bungie's Marathon being their first project outside the Destiny universe in over 15 years. Arc Raiders, developed by Embark, launched as the first mainstream title in the genre, while Marathon faced delays. The author initially felt indifferent towards Marathon but grew enthusiastic after playing for over four days. The game features a PvP experience with looting mechanics, weapon upgrades, and unique gun modifications. Critics compare Marathon to Call of Duty and Apex Legends, but the author finds its pacing more similar to Halo, emphasizing positioning and timing. The game includes movement shooter elements, allowing creative navigation techniques. Weapon designs are visually appealing and feature a variety of modifications. The game's progression system encourages experimentation with builds, and the vendor system aids in resource management. The upcoming full version will include a third map, Outpost, and additional content like the Cryo Archive.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

If you love Marathon’s vectorheart style but not its PvP, get your aesthetic fix from the gorgeously overstimulating demo for this time trial FPS instead

Anticipation surrounds the game Marathon, noted for its vectorheart-inspired art style. Cicadamata, a new game, features a bold visual design with animated text and a sense of urgency. Players control Fawn-A2, navigating the Cascade and acquiring cores while using a cybershotgun. Gameplay includes mastering moves like triple jumps and air dashes, with intricate shooter maps and immersive audio-visual elements. The game is fast-paced, presenting challenges that some may find difficult but rewarding. Cicadamata's demo is available on Steam until March 5, with the full game expected to launch later this year.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Is Marathon’s time-to-kill too fast, or am I too Arc Raiders-pilled?

The author completed the original Mass Effect and shifted focus to extraction shooters, particularly Marathon, influenced by experiences in Arc Raiders. During the first 24 hours with Marathon, the author compared it to Arc Raiders, noting the challenging gameplay dynamics, including a fast time-to-kill (TTK) and the importance of teamwork. Initial frustrations with Marathon's pace shifted to appreciation as the author adapted strategies with friends. The game emphasizes sound and teamwork, with a TTK that feels punishing but manageable with squad support. The author reflected on the need for better resource management, expressing concerns about inventory issues and the early loss of loadouts. They suggested that Bungie should streamline gameplay to enhance the PvP experience.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

New space extraction game Star Wrath lets you build, fly, and then totally destroy a bunch of spaceships

Star Wrath is a multiplayer, extraction-action space game that allows players to craft their own spacecraft. The gameplay involves recruiting a pilot, constructing a ship, and engaging in dogfights. The game features a modular damage system and emphasizes gear management. A closed beta is available for players to experience ship-building and combat before the official launch.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Marathon is enjoying some unexpected Ws, with pre-orders flying on Steam and a cast that exposes Arc Raiders’ big weakness

Enthusiasm for Marathon has increased, positioning it as one of the most anticipated games of the year. Following the announcement of its release date and pre-orders, Marathon has become one of the top five best-selling games on Steam. The game is expected to benefit from competition in the extraction shooter genre, with its unique features like first-person gunplay and player-versus-player interactions. Recent gameplay footage has improved perceptions of the game, and it will be priced at .99 / £34.99. The voice cast includes notable actors such as Ben Starr, Jennifer English, Neil Newbon, and Roger Clark, indicating Bungie's commitment to quality. Currently, Marathon ranks as the fifth best-selling game on Steam, with only Arc Raiders and Fallout 76 surpassing it among paid titles. The game is set to release on March 5.

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.