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Believe it or not, one of the genres that has become more mainstream this year is the extraction shooter genre. Previously, we were all afraid of dipping our toes into these high-risk, high-reward games. In the end, one mistake can cost you everything, quite literally. However, many new titles have made things more accessible, brought fresh visuals, and have just thought outside of the box to create experiences for all types of gamers. If you’ve always wanted to try an extraction shooter, we have the best 10 you can play in 2025.
10. Call of Duty: DMZ
Let’s start with the departed one. Well, kind of. Speaking on technical levels, Call of Duty: DMZ is a goner. It is no longer receiving updates, and many consider this game to be dead. However, that’s not the case. Despite the lack of new content, DMZ still has many players trying to extract with some sweet loot. It may not be the biggest one on the market, and Treyarch didn’t really hit the Escape from Tarkov levels it was aiming for, but if you like CoD, this is a good way to try what the whole extraction shooter genre is all about.
9. Incursion Red River
Not many people might know about Incursion Red River, an extraction shooter in early access that might be worth playing in 2025. For starters, it’s set in modern-day Vietnam, a unique setting for the genre. Second, and the most important part, it leans more toward the PvE aspect. This is excellent for players who want to avoid sweaty gamers and just want to see what this type of game is all about. Be careful, though, as the game is still in development, so it might be rough around some edges. Still, the small team behind it is committed to the game, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
8. Dark and Darker
If you’re not a fan of all the extraction shooters that look exactly the same, Dark and Darker is a good and refreshing option. While many don’t think it’s a proper extraction shooter, it has the same mechanics, and the gameplay loop is similar to others in the genre. So, in our books, it is one. Yet, what sets it apart is its style that stays away from war-torn areas and drops players inside an unforgiving dungeon-delving experience. Another big plus about this game is that it has a free version you can try before buying the whole package.
7. Hunt: Showdown
By now, everyone knows about Hunt: Showdown, and while some don’t think it is an extraction shooter, it definitely has all the gameplay mechanics of one, and it’s still alive and kicking in 2025. Here, you and other players are dropped into PvPvE scenarios where you need to defeat a boss, grab the loot, and get out. The game has been around for years and has dozens of DLC, so you’ll be entering into one of the most complete extraction shooting packages out there.
6. Delta Force
Delta Force is known more for its Battlefield-like playstyle, which, despite having a few issues, is still a marvel to experience. However, for those who don’t want to have a tank shooting at them throughout the whole match, there’s an extraction shooter mode, which, while not the best, is easy to grasp and quite engaging if you put a few hours in. The great thing about Delta Force is that, if you ever get tired of this mode, you can swap between any of the other game modes it has on the fly.
5. Arena Breakout: Infinite
While not on Steam yet, at least at the time of writing, Arena Breakout: Infinite is one of those new-ish extraction shooters that are worth visiting in 2025. It has excellent gunplay, and the team behind it pumps out new content constantly. Plus, it is also available on mobile devices if you’re into playing on the go. If not, you can get it on the official website or wait for the imminent Steam release. In any case, it is one worth checking out just because of its generous amount of content.
4. Marathon
Getting into the big leagues, we know we had to bring up Marathon. Bungie’s new endeavor isn’t quite here yet, and not a lot of players have been able to experience it. However, with what we’ve seen, it’s looking like a proper Bungie shooter with top-notch gameplay and a unique visual style. While the official release might be far away, there’s a public beta coming on September 23, which means we’ll all get to try it and see where it stands among the sea of extraction shooter games we have.
3. Gray Zone Warfare
Gray Zone Warfare is, as many have said, the perfect palate cleanser for Escape from Tarkov players, and we don’t say that in a disparaging way. Actually, it has many great aspects that Tarkov players would love to have. Gray Zone Warfare features superb combat, excellent and intricate quests, and an unforgiving gameplay loop that will appeal to hardcore players. Another good thing about this one is that it’s still in development, so you’ll likely see a lot of improvements and new additions throughout the upcoming months, meaning it is an excellent time to try it.
2. Escape from Tarkov
Normally, we would’ve placed Escape from Tarkov at the top of our list, but it’s about to lose its crown. PvE controversies aside, Tarkov is still one of the most complete extraction shooters out there, and the standard for any studio that wants to dabble in this genre. However, the competition has grown considerably, and while we only had a main dish before, we now have a whole buffet to choose from. Yet, if you ever want to try the extraction shooter that held the crown for ages, Escape from Tarkov is a punishing yet rewarding experience that you and your friends will enjoy.
1. ARC Raiders
Embark Studios recently held a tech test for ARC Raiders, and it is hands down the best extraction shooter of 2025. Well, assuming it launches this year as the official website claims. ARC Raiders brings a beautiful yet perilous NASApunk world that drops players into dilapidated areas to scavenge, shoot robots, and extract alive. It features some of the most unique gadgets we’ve seen in the genre, top-notch gunplay, superb audio design, and most importantly, a third-person perspective. The tech test left us all wanting more, so we just hope this game truly launches in 2025.
