Extraction shooters has exploded in popularity in recent years, to the point where the term is in danger of being overexposed. As the subgenre continues to gain more exposure through upcoming games such as Marathonmore people will want to jump on board, and they may not be sure which games to prioritize.
Although their nuclear games tend to resemble first-person or third-person shooters, extraction games have a unique gameplay loop that is addictive but also an acquired taste. They are also community-focused, with most games being PvPvE. If you're new to extraction shooters and want to switch things up, you should focus on the following games, which cover a spectrum of price points and playstyles. As the ranking improves, the more beginner-friendly the title becomes.
I did not include Helldivers 2as not everyone agrees that it qualifies as an extraction shooter. It's a good third-person shooter game, but it's not representative of this genre as a whole.
9
Arena Breakout: Infinite
Arena Breakout: Infinite is one of the closest experiences The escape from Tarkov we have ever received; but it is free to play and comes with simplified gameplay, making the transition to a hardcore game like Tarkov much easier.
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The simplified elements of Arena Breakout: Infinite include an online map that shows player location and allows pinging goals for the entire team. The weapon customization system also works quite easily in this game, as players no longer need to level up to unlock important attachments. But better weapons are still locked behind higher levels.
8
Invasion Red River
For those who are tired of cheaters or toxic players, Invasion Red River is an incredible extraction shooter to play solo or with friends while only opposing AI-controlled enemies. The game provides everything you would expect from an extraction game, including hardcore and realistic gunplay.
Invasion Red River 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 feel more realistic when engaging in gunfights.
7
Zero Sievert
Top-Down Wasteland Action
Taking a different approach, literally, to the extraction shooter, Zero Sievert puts players into 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 any other creatures they find, in order to survive.
Another game that is constantly evolving in early access releases, Zero Sievert is already a great release that mixes a fun, intense world with the extraction game elements that are becoming key to the genre. Players have fallen in love with this different style of extraction shooter, finding it as intense as other entries while appreciating the different perspective, which is rare for the genre.
6
Witch fire
Get rid of doomed creatures to finally reach salvation
Witch fire is an RPG shooter at heart, more like Destiny 2however, it uses a game loop more akin to an extraction shooter, which is why it fits in this list quite well. The game is still in the early access phase, 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 the doomed creatures, hunt for resources, and then return home to use the resources to upgrade weapons and abilities. The choice is the player's to dig deeper or retreat, but a single death will result in losing all progress made.
The game delivers exciting gunplay with a modding system similar to it Destiny 2allowing you to be creative with builds to achieve greater success on every trip. Witch fire is an offline, single player extraction game, which is a rare thing these days.
5
The escape from Tarkov
Russian company's war
One of the originators of the extraction shooter genre, and the greatest of the games in the genre to date, The escape from Tarkov takes place in a fictional region where two private military companies are at war. Players are dropped onto one of the varying difficulty maps and tasked with extracting, 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 come with extra requirements, causing players to improve their aim so they can get into the mix of things in the middle of the map.
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Along the way, players compete with other player characters and NPCs in their attempts to collect as much loot as possible. Players can bring loot in a raid, but if they die, they lose everything they collected during the raid as well as everything they brought with them, making the game a risky business. With up to fourteen players on one map and a maximum time of 45 minutes for each raid, The escape from Tarkov is the perfect setup with elements from MMOs to create a very successful game. This does The escape from Tarkov perfect for newcomers, especially those with MMO experience, as many aspects of the game will feel familiar.
4
Delta Force
Delta Force is currently one of the most popular free-to-play shooters on the market, delivering a variety of modes, including an extraction game experience. Unlike most titles on this list, Delta Force offers a light extraction mode without the brutality of games like The escape from Tarkov.
Combining this relaxed approach with a fair progression system has greatly increased the player base of Delta Force. And let's not forget the Battle Pass system with worthy skins for in-game operators, giving players another reason to stick with the game.
The game has a problem with cheats on PC, which almost disqualified it from this list. I keep it because the core game loop is beginner friendly, but be warned, especially if you're not on a console.
3
Deep Rock Galactic
Space Dwarf Action
The idea of fantastical worlds has taken newer extraction shooters by storm. Deep Rock Galactic is another game that could not resist the idea of a distant environment like the planet Hoxxes 4. Deep Rock Galactic tasks players with entering caves on the planet to mine resources, tackling swarms of aliens all the while, making it difficult to get started with some prerequisites.
With a class-based system and a greater focus on PvE, Deep Rock Galactic is a particularly good place in the extraction shooter genre for newcomers to start. For many players, it may be easier to learn a new playstyle without as much focus on PvP. The procedurally generated cave systems vary in style, which will help prepare players for the type of different maps they'll find themselves in in other games in the genre.
2
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Deadly bounty hunting
One of the other previous extraction shooters, Hunt: Showdown 1896, is a great example of how players can enter the genre for the first time. Players take the role of a hunter who is always trying to kill some kind of mythical creature, but they have to compete with other hunters (other players) to get the reward and get out of the zone, which makes it easier when they team up, although many players try the game solo.
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Hunt: Showdown 1896 has a beautifully designed gameplay style that makes the most of the PvEvP idea, with five different types of monsters appearing. But before players can find them, they must narrow down the potential locations of the monster's hideout by finding clues around the world. Meanwhile, they will potentially have to fight other players and weaker enemy creatures as well. Hunt: Showdown is a good starting point for newcomers to the genre as the gameplay, while always enjoyable, is quick to pick up.
1
Arc Raiders
Most popular and the best extraction game for everyone
ARC Raiders
10/10
- Released
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30 October 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen/violence, blood
This may seem like an all too obvious reason, but Arc Raiders is the best extraction game for beginners, mainly because it is the most popular member of the genre at the moment. Generally speaking, popularity and quality aren't directly linked, but extraction shooters are community-driven, and you should really consider investing in a game that will almost certainly be around for a couple of years. In addition to the number of players, Arc Raiders is also one of the more accessible representatives, mainly due to the 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 society favors kindness over aggression.
The formula is typical of the genre. You jump into maps with either a custom or native loadout, and your goal is to loot as much as you can before extracting with a beacon. Simple but effective. If you die, you lose your loot AND your custom gear, which instantly adds excitement to every run. The basic loadouts are solid and reliable, and they're perfect for beginners who are still getting used to the game loop and maps. You should not put on custom gear until you are confident in your knowledge of the game. In addition to better equipment, Arc Raiders also tracks progression through skills, which are broken down across a spectrum of types.
ARC Raiders: Skill Tree Progression Guide
Here is a complete guide on skill tree progression in ARC Raiders to help you choose the best path to unlock the skills with 75 points.
