Extraction shooters they have exploded in popularity in the past few years to the point where the term is in danger of becoming overexposed. As the subgenre continues to gain exposure through upcoming games such as Marathonmore people will want to jump on board and may not be sure which games to prioritize.
Although their basic shooting tends to be similar to first-person or third-person shooters, extraction games have a unique gameplay loop that is addictive but also acquired. They are also community oriented, with most games being PvPvE. If you're new to extraction shooters and looking to switch things up, you should look at the following games that cover a spectrum of price points and play styles. As the rating improves, the title becomes more beginner-friendly.
I did not include Helldivers 2because not everyone agrees that it qualifies as an extraction shooter. It's a great third-person shooter game, but it's not representative of the genre as a whole.
9
Arena Breakout: Infinite
Arena Breakout: Infinite is one of the closest experiences Escape from Tarkov when did we get; however, it is free-to-play and comes with simplified gameplay that makes it easy to switch to a hardcore game like it is Tarkov much easier.
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Simplified elements in Arena Breakout: Infinite include an online map that shows the player's location and allows pinging targets for the entire team. The weapon customization system in this game also works quite easily as players no longer need to level up to unlock important attachments. However, better weapons are still locked to higher levels.
8
Red River Incursion
For those fed up with cheaters or toxic players, Red River Incursion is an incredible extraction shooter that you can play solo or with friends while facing only AI controlled enemies. The game delivers everything you can expect from an extraction shooter, including hardcore and realistic gunfights.
Red River Incursion is still in early access and the developers are trying to evolve the game over time by adding new maps, new contracts, bosses, extreme weather conditions and improving the AI behavior to make it more realistic in firefights.
7
Zero Sievert
Wasteland top-down action
Taking another approach, quite literally, to the extraction shooter, Zero Sievert puts the player in a top-down perspective world where almost nothing is left. Resources are scarce, which is a good excuse for players to have to fight each other as well as other creatures they find to survive.
Another game in constant development in Early Access, Zero Sievert is already a fantastic release that combines a fun, intense world with the extraction shooter elements that are becoming key to the genre. Players have fallen in love with this distinct style of extraction shooter and found it to be just as intense as the other entries, while appreciating a different perspective that is rare for the genre.
6
Witch fire
Get rid of the doomed creatures to finally reach salvation
Witch fire is more of an RPG shooter at heart Fate 2but it uses a gameplay loop that's more like an extraction shooter, so it fits into this list quite well. The game is still in early access, but it comes with enough content to keep players entertained.
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IN Witch firethe player is tasked with tackling a dungeon-style world with each attempt to kill doomed creatures, hunt for resources, and then return home to use the resources to upgrade weapons and abilities. The player has the option to dive deeper or retreat, but a single death will result in the loss of all progress made.
The game offers exciting shootouts with a modding system similar to that Fate 2allowing you to be creative with your builds to achieve greater success each time. Witch fire is an offline single player extraction shooter, which is a rarity these days.
5
Escape from Tarkov
Corporate Russian War
One of the creators of the extraction shooter genre and the biggest game of this genre to date, Escape from Tarkov takes place in a fictional region where two private military companies are at war. Players are thrown into one of a variety of difficulty maps and tasked with obtaining an extraction, either at their primary point on the other side of the map, or at one of the optional points in the middle of the map, all of which have additional requirements that encourage players to improve their aim in order to get into the mix of things in the middle of the map.
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Along the way, players compete against other player characters and NPCs in an attempt to get as much loot as possible. Players can bring loot to a raid, but if they die, they lose everything they collected during the raid, as well as anything they brought into the raid, making the game a risky affair. With up to fourteen players on the map and a maximum time of 45 minutes for each raid, Escape from Tarkov is a perfect setting with MMO elements that make for a very successful game. That's what he does Escape from Tarkov perfect for newcomers, especially those with MMO experience, as many aspects of the game will be familiar.
4
Delta Force
Delta Force is currently one of the most popular free-to-play shooters on the market, offering a variety of modes, including an extraction shooter. Unlike most of the titles on this list Delta Force offers a lightweight extraction mode without the brutality of games like Escape from Tarkov.
Combining this casual approach with a fair progression system has greatly increased the player base Delta Force. And let's not forget the Battle Pass system with decent skins for game operators, which gives players another reason to stick with the game.
The game has a problem with cheaters on PC, which almost took it off this list. I'm keeping this because the basic gameplay loop is good for beginners, but be warned, especially if you're not on console.
3
Deep Rock Galactic
Action Space Dwarf
The idea of fantasy worlds has taken newer shooters by storm. Deep Rock Galactic is another game that couldn't resist the idea of a distant setting like Hoxxes 4's planet. Deep Rock Galactic Players tasks to enter caves on the planet to mine resources and constantly face swarms of aliens, so starting with some prior knowledge is tricky.
With a class-based system and a greater focus on PvE, Deep Rock Galactic is a particularly great place in the extraction shooter genre for newcomers to start. Many players may find it easier to learn a new playstyle without focusing so much on PvP. The procedurally generated cave systems vary in style, which will help prepare players for the different kinds of maps they'll encounter in other games in the genre.
2
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Deadly bounty hunter
One of the other early extraction shooters, Hunt: Showdown 1896, is a great example of how players can get into the genre for the first time. Players take on the role of a hunter who is always trying to kill some mythical creature, but must compete with other hunters (other players) to reach the reward and get out of the zone, which is easier when they team up, although many players try to play solo.
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Hunt: Showdown 1896 it has a beautifully designed play style that makes the most of the PvEvP idea with five different types of monsters. However, before finding them, players must narrow down the potential locations of the monster's hideout by searching for clues around the world. Meanwhile, they will potentially have to fight other players as well as weaker enemy creatures. Hunt: Showdown is a great jumping-off point for newcomers to the genre, as the gameplay loop, while always fun, quickly catches on.
1
Arc Raider
The most popular and best extraction shooter for everyone
ARC Raiders
10/10
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen / Violence, Blood
This may seem like too obvious a reason, but Arc Raider is the best extraction shooter for beginners mainly because it is currently the most popular member of the genre. In general, popularity and quality are not intrinsically linked, but extraction shooters are community driven and you should really try to invest in a game that will almost certainly be around for a few years. In addition to the number of players, Arc Raider it's also one of the more accessible representatives, largely due to its focus on PvE over PvP. The latter is still an important part of the equation, but it's generally left in the hands of the players and the community favors friendliness over aggression.
The formula is typical of the genre. You hop around maps with your own or built-in gear, and your goal is to loot as much as you can before reaching a beacon. Simple but effective. If you die, you lose your loot AND custom gear, which instantly adds tension to every run. The base loading is solid and reliable, perfect for beginners who are still getting used to the game loop and maps. You should not put on your own gear until you are confident in your knowledge of the game. In addition to better equipment, Arc Raider it also tracks progression through skills, which are divided into different types.
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Here is a complete guide to the skill tree progression in ARC Raiders to help you pick and choose the best path to unlock 75 point skills.
