The best extraction games in 2025

Extraction games have been growing more popular for several years now. Combining strategy, adrenaline, and often resource management, the goal is not only to defeat the enemy but to escape with as much loot as possible. Every mistake, and sometimes even every half-second delay in decision-making, can lead to mission failure. Let’s take a look at our selection of the best extraction games to play in 2025.

Although Arc Raiders was released very recently and seems to be well on its way to becoming a must-have in the genre, it is still too early to say for sure. Ranked just behind Overwatch (2016), it is currently the second highest-rated multiplayer shooter. It takes place in a deadly, futuristic world ravaged by a mechanized threat called ARC. Head to the surface to gather as many resources as possible, then return underground to upgrade your base and equipment.

In the category of the most famous extraction games, it’s hard not to mention one of the oldest: Escape From Tarkov. Available in early access since 2017 via its own launcher, version 1.0 will be released on Steam this November. A title with a very similar name but no connection whatsoever is also on this list: Escape From Duckov. We leave the Russian landscape behind for green plains filled with… ducks. Released in mid-October, it invites us to begin our journey as an ordinary duck, who must survive and gather resources in a PvE environment. Very well received by the community, it already has an extremely positive rating on the Steam platform and has sold 2 million copies.

Hunt: Showdown is a renowned PvPvE extraction shooter, available since 2018. The game has stood the test of time thanks to its loyal community and the studio’s many successful cosmetic DLCs. The atmosphere is truly unique, immersing players in beautiful and varied landscapes with a horror theme. Numerous events are held throughout the year, allowing players to stock up on exclusive skins.

On the slightly more low-key side of extraction games, we find Dark and Darker. There’s a wide array of fantastic roles available to help you build the best team possible and set off on treasure hunts in dungeons. The game also boasts a dark, medieval atmosphere! Another good alternative is Arena Breakout: Infinite. Rather well-liked by the community despite not being translated into most common languages (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.), the title retains its place among the most played games of its kind.

If there is one promising project to watch out for in 2026, it is Beautiful Light. Announced at the Black Summer 2023 conference and developed by Swiss studio Deep Worlds, the title has left a strong impression. In fact, it already has more than half a million wishlist additions on the Steam platform. Steeped in a horror atmosphere, it is categorized as a tactical and asymmetrical extraction shooter in PvPvE. In short, teams of operators compete to extract themselves, while being hunted by the environment and other players controlling monsters. Several playtest sessions have taken place over the past year, contributing to the game’s success and the community’s anticipation.