Gameplay Notes
Escape from Tarkov is an extremely cutthroat game and will likely have you at the edge of your seat during most play sessions. Typical gameplay consists of loading your character with expensive equipment. Guns, Ammo, Armor, and supplies like Food and Water must be brought into each raid. Death within the raid means losing it all and starting from scratch. Whereas surviving will usually yield precious supplies. Within the raid players can complete mission objectives which give money, experience, and clout with traders that control the niche market of supplies. The gambling nature of every match tends to exhaust you, often you will have entire play sessions worth of gear equipped. This combined with the realistic damage model means that at any second you can be killed in a single shot, or maimed in a limb that impairs movement, aim, or even breathing. The pure enjoyment of just making it out alive is incredible and surviving intense gunfights can leave you mentally taxed like no other game can.
What this game is about
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This game is always multiplayer. Usually with around 10 other players. You can communicate with them through voice lines, however since half the player PMC's speak Russian, combat usually trumps cooperation. You are however able to enter with up to 4 friends, which can create very intense and funny situations. Usually though you will end up killing your teammates since there is no real way to tell them apart from hostile enemies.
The customization options are insane, so playstyle choices are large. All weapons can be fitted with Magazines, Sights, Lasers, Foregrips and even more eccentric pieces like custom stocks and trigger assemblies. Ammo plays an even larger role, with most guns having around 7 types of ammo, each with different ballistics, damage, and armor penetration.
While Tarkov is an FPS shooter first, you will be managing your characters survival as well. Food and Water being key features. Your character also has individual limbs that can be damaged, each of which affects your character in some way.
What you need to play
- Mouse and keyboard required, this game will test even the most seasoned FPS players.
- This game requires a very high-end PC to play, and it doesn't even look that good. It's using the Unity Engine which wasn't made to carry such an advanced game.
- Friends, though not required, will help greatly during the beginning stages. since most mechanics are poorly explained or downright brutal to deal with early.