The extraction shooter genre has been booming lately, and not necessarily because it's anything new. With the recent huge success of Embark Studios ARC Raidersit seems that more players are interested in games like that and The escape from Tarkov than before, the genre is taking from a rather niche space to an increasingly mainstream one. It's what makes the launch of other extraction shooters like Crater Studios' Grave bound on Steam more worth keeping an eye on now, especially for those who have been enjoying ARC Raiders' high risk, high reward game loop.
What sets Grave bound apart from ARC Raiders and other extraction shooters, however, is its art style. While the most popular extraction players prioritize more realistic images, Grave bound adopts comic book-like imagery from Borderlands for more animated but no less demanding gameplay. Although the game has not been released yet, Grave bound already has a playable demo on Steam and will launch into Early Access in Q1 2026 in an effort to evolve during its final development phase using player feedback.
Gravebound looks like Borderlands, plays like ARC Raiders
At first it may seem like comparing Grave bound to ARC Raiders is a bit of a stretch and that the comparison is simply made because Embark's extraction shooter is currently experiencing such success. However, Grave bound is actually very similar ARC Raiders in a way that it is not for other games in the genre. It may also, on the surface, look like little more than a typical extraction shooter with one Borderlands makeover, but the art style actually complements one of the most distinctive features that ultimately sets it apart ARC Raiders. Eventually, Grave bound feels like ARC Raiders expresses itself through a higher, more chaotic, Borderlands-like lens.
Gravebound's features at a glance
- PvPvE EXTRACTION GAMEwhere you search for loot, fight enemies and try to extract alive.
- BULLET HELL COMBAT TWIST with complex enemy projectile patterns and visible damage indicators.
- MULTIPLE PLAYABLE ZONES for varied running experiences and tactical choices.
- SOLO OR SQUAD DRIVEso you can play alone or with friends.
- BETWEEN WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT across different classes of firearms and equipment.
- WEAPON AND ARMOR UPGRADES offers progression with better stats and builds.
- INITIAL FACTION SYSTEM which adds narrative and systemic depth.
- AI ENEMIES AND BOSSES with chaotic behaviors and fun-hell-style patterns.
- TIME-LIMITED MISSIONS AND RESOURCE COLLECTION as part of extraction runs.
Regardless of any distinctive features it may, Grave bound is still an extraction shooter through and through. Each run requires players to consider how far they want to push their luck, how much gear they're willing to risk, and when it's smarter to walk away instead of continuing to loot. As with ARC Raiders' PvPvE loop, Grave bound sees players face both enemy AI and opponents, making each round even more of a gamble. While PvPvE gameplay is baked into the extraction loop, ARC Raiders arguably set a new standard for it, with the enemy AI evolving over time as it learns from the players. It is unclear whether Grave boundEnemy AI will evolve with players, but as it heads into Early Access soon, it may not be off the table.
They used to serve breakfast. Now they serve balls. Expect absurd mechanical enemies with personalities as broken as their circuits.
Where Grave bound However, it really starts to differ in how it approaches that loop. IN ARC Raiders and many other extraction shooters, players benefit more from a careful, methodical approach, but Grave bound makes it seem like its faster, more chaotic fighting style will require more movement and quick reactions from players. That's where it's classic Borderlands visual style really complements it, because something more realistic like ARC Raiders may not have the same effect. With that, Grave bound becomes this extraction shooter that follows the same rules as ARC Raiders but bends them just enough to produce the genre's signature risk-reward game at much higher volume.
What to expect from Gravebound Early Access
- A GAME DEVELOPED WITH ITS COMMUNITYwith systems that change based on real player behavior and feedback.
- ONGOING BALANCE AND PROGRESS ADJUSTMENTS as combat, risk-reward and pacing are refined.
- A WORLD THAT EXPANDS WITH TIMEwith new locations, scenarios and activities introduced gradually.
- PUBLIC TESTING OF NEW IDEASincluding potential bosses, dynamic events, and faction-driven objectives.
- ACTIVE DEVELOPER COMMUNICATIONwith regular engagement through Discord, Steam forums and developer blogs.
- OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYERS TO INFLUENCE PRIORITIES through feedback, discussions and playtests.
- LONG-TERM EARLY ACCESS WINDOW (10-18 MONTHS) which causes the systems to mature naturally.
Early Access is especially important for a game that Grave bound as its success will ultimately depend on how it feels once players get their hands on it. Extraction shooters often live or die by how fair they feel and how their system pans out, and with Grave bound obviously putting a more chaotic spin on the formula, it can mean even more. By launching the game in Early Access, Crater Studios gives itself the space to observe how players react to its design and then continue to develop the game accordingly.
“Gravebound is a system-driven extraction game designed to evolve with player feedback. Early Access gives us the opportunity to build alongside our community.”
With a lengthy Early Access window of 10-18 months, Crater Studios is also showing that they are not willing to rush to the finish line. The developer has made it clear that battle balance, progression pace, and how punishing or forgiving extractions feel are all areas that will be tweaked over time. As more players spend time with Grave boundthese systems are expected to change based on experience and feedback. New content is coming gradually, but the bigger focus during Early Access seems to be polishing what's already there so the game can sustain itself in the long term.
If nothing else, Grave bound will be launching in Steam Early Access during a time when the extraction shooter genre is more popular than it's ever been before, so at least it might get some eyes on it for that reason alone. However, considering its ARC Raiders foundation and Borderlands style, mixed with its faster battle pace, it could stand out even more. With an early access window opening for the first quarter of 2026, players will soon be able to see for themselves if all of this holds up, but until then, they can try out the game's demo on Steam – provided they manage to find enough players in the queue to be matched with.
Grave bound starts on Steam Early access in the first quarter of 2026.
