A Quirky Take on the Extraction Shooter Formula
Escape from Duckov has taken Steam by storm, surpassing 300,000 concurrent players within just ten days of release. While its name and concept clearly parody Escape from Tarkov, the duck-themed shooter by Team Soda has managed to carve out its own identity, offering a lighter, single-player twist on the traditionally high-stakes extraction genre.
A More Relaxed Extraction Experience
Extraction shooters have long been known for their tense, multiplayer-driven gameplay loops—drop in, find loot, and make it out alive. Games like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown 1896, and Delta Force have defined the genre with competitive PvP combat. In contrast, Escape from Duckov takes a calmer approach by focusing entirely on PvE gameplay, letting players explore, scavenge, and survive without worrying about rival players.
Despite its $15.83 USD price tag, Escape from Duckov has achieved more concurrent players than some free-to-play extraction titles like Arena Breakout: Infinite. This shows that players are eager for new ways to enjoy the genre without the constant stress of online competition.
Depth Beyond the Ducks
While the game features all the core elements of an extraction shooter, Escape from Duckov goes further by including base-building mechanics and a structured campaign mode, offering over 50 hours of replayable content. Every run presents new challenges, with dynamic loot, randomized enemies, and shifting weather systems ensuring that no two sessions feel the same.
Modding and Future Possibilities
Although the game currently lacks multiplayer, its mod support has already attracted a passionate community of creators. Some modders are reportedly working on co-op and multiplayer features, hinting at even greater potential for the game’s longevity. For newcomers to the genre, Escape from Duckov provides an accessible and humorous entry point into extraction gameplay before tackling more hardcore titles like Escape from Tarkov.
A Surprising Contender Before Tarkov’s Steam Launch
With Escape from Tarkov scheduled to launch on Steam on November 15, Escape from Duckov is filling a much-needed gap for players craving extraction-style action. The game’s quirky aesthetic and approachable mechanics have also made it a hit on Twitch, drawing over 24,000 concurrent viewers at the time of writing.
Escape from Duckov proves that even in a multiplayer-dominated market, there’s still plenty of room for creative, single-player experiences that offer something genuinely different — even if it involves a few ducks along the way.
