With the release of ARC Raiders just around the corner, a new challenger enters the ring for dominance in the ever-popular extraction shooter genre. But who are the current heavyweights? What titles define the space? We’ve teamed up with G2A.COM to find out.
What are extraction shooters, anyway? If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s generally a sub-genre of first-person shooters where teams of players explore a map, complete objectives, gather loot, fight AI-controlled enemies and other players, and proceed to the extraction point.
Survive, and you keep everything, such as gear, loot, and any hard-earned upgrades, giving you a tactical edge in future missions. Fail, and it’s all gone: the equipment you brought and the treasures you found.
Extraction shooters borrow certain elements from looter shooters and battle royales, but its core is deeply rooted in tactical shooters and PvPvE (player vs. player vs. environment). Most titles lean into realistic military scenarios, emphasizing strategy and tension over pure reflexes. However, there are some deviations from the formula.
Some titles offer PvE instead of competing with other players, which might be a nice change of pace if you love the idea behind the genre, but don’t really want to interact with other human beings unless they’re your teammates. This also helps cut down on interacting with cheaters in online games.
Some titles are set in science fiction or fantasy realms, which means these might also be good options for you if this gritty military realism isn’t your thing.
Ready to gear up? Here are some of the standout titles in the extraction shooter space. If any catch your eye make sure you check out digital marketplace G2A.COM for deals and bundles on all of these games too!
Escape from Tarkov
Let’s start with the one that started it all. Set in a fictional Russian region, Escape from Tarkov tells the story of an ongoing war between two private military companies: USEC and BEAR. Each faction offers different bonuses and perks, so choose wisely. Once that’s done, you get to enter the fray via five different modes.
However, the gameplay at its core is as follows: you enter the map, either solo or with other teammates, and then fight to get as much valuable loot and then extract within a certain time limit. You need to avoid hostile NPCs – the Scavengers – and other players who are not on your team. If you die, you lose all your progress.
Escape from Tarkov is known for its gritty realism and punishing difficulty, so it may not be the best choice for beginners. Also, the game suffers from persistent cheating issues. Still, it’s one of the best extraction shooters out there and the one that started it all. However, if it doesn’t seem like your cup of tea, try other games on this list.
Incursion Red River
This one is basically Tarkov, but without the PvP element. This means you can either go solo against AI or recruit your friends to join you on your quest. No enemy players will bug you, though. That means no cheaters, no griefers, just pure tactical gameplay.
Incursion Red River is set in modern-day Vietnam where there’s a new war going on, perpetuated by various PMCs who profit off the bloodshed. So, you get dropped onto one of the maps to complete various objectives, acquire as much loot as possible, and get out in one piece. Otherwise, you’ll lose everything.
Still in Early Access, the game promises more content down the line. If you’re drawn to the realism of extraction shooters but prefer a PvE-only experience, this one is for you.
Gray Zone Warfare
Here’s something that you might want to try if you’d like to trade Russia for Asia.
Gray Zone Warfare is basically Incursion Red River, but with PvP (though it’s optional) and even more focus on hardcore realism. Each raid means different objectives to complete, interesting loot to secure, and more lore to uncover. Plus, plenty of tactical engagements and firefights which can involve other players and AI.
Also in Early Access, it’s quickly becoming a top contender for genre dominance.
Hunt: Showdown 1896
It’s the first game on our list that does not conform to the whole "hardcore PMC sim." Instead, it transports us to this gritty dark fantasy universe of sorts where you hunt twisted monstrosities and prevent other Hunters from interfering with your plans.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 is great if you’re up for some gory horror instead. With a robust progression system and an "all in" attitude, it’s something you totally shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re into this kind of game environment.
The Forever Winter
And here we have a post-apocalyptic sci-fi shooter where you’re a small fish in a big apocalypse, as the developers put it.
Here you have a futuristic war between two factions. But you’re part of either. You’re just a scavenger who wants to profit from the destruction left behind by the warring armies. At first, these enemy combatants will probably ignore you, but this will change over time.
This unpredictability and memorable style make The Forever Winter one of the most unique and most exciting extraction shooters on the market. How far can you go without attracting the attention of warring superpowers? That’s up to you to find out. The Forever Winter is available through Early Access.
ARC Raiders
One of the most anticipated titles in the genre, ARC Raiders isn’t out yet—but its recent Server Slam playtest suggests it’s shaping up to be something big.
Set on a future Earth devastated by a war with the ARC threat, players take on the role of scavengers venturing to the surface to loot the ruins. But hostile machines aren’t your only concern - other Raiders (i.e., players) may not have your survival in mind.
ARC Raiders looks fantastic and looks to be an original take on the extraction shooter formula.
Will it claim the genre’s crown? We’ll see after October 30, 2025.
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Honorable mentions
If you’re looking for something a bit out of the left field, be sure to check out Escape from Duckov and Zero Sievert.
The former is a light-hearted parody of Escape from Tarkov where you play as ducks and other birds. It’s a single-player PVE game presented from a top-down perspective. Very popular as of recently and not without a reason.
Zero Sievert also does things differently, though it’s serious this time. It’s a single-player extraction shooter but boasts pixel art and a top-down perspective. Other than that, it’s pretty hardcore – though it helps beginners to have a fun time – which makes it super fun to play.
You can also try Sand, which is this steampunk-style extraction shooter that seemingly draws inspirations from the Wild Wild West and Mortal Engines. You get to build massive walking bases and explore a desolate wasteland in search of artifacts and other stuff. Other players will surely be a source of major headaches.
Sand is definitely one of the most interesting extraction shooters out there.
Interested in grabbing any of these? Be sure to give marketplaces like G2A.COM a look if you want to find great deals and great savings.