Escape from Tarkov is a Windows-based, multiplayer first-person shooter video game that was developed by Battlestate Games. The game was released to the public in 2017 but only started gaining prominence in 2020.
However, Escape from Tarkov is not the only game out there with such a setup and story progression. There are several other alternatives to Escape from Tarkov that can equally keep you entertained. The Cycle: Frontier, DayZ, Deadside to name a few. Though the best game like Escape from Tarkov is Hunt: Showdown.
We will discuss more about these games in the upcoming sections. But first, let’s talk about Escape from Tarkov a bit more.
More about Escape from Tarkov
Escape from Tarkov is set in the fictional region of Norvisnk with an elaborate story about two feuding military factions. One of the things that makes it appealing is the fact that it incorporates state-of-the-art graphics that ensure participants enjoy an immersive experience.
The game is made even more fun thanks to its multiple map locations that break the monotony. As a gamer, you can either be part of the Scavs, an AI-generated group of characters, or a player-created character (PMC).
Regardless of the side you choose, you’ll quickly realize that you can go from being a hunter to the hunted in this breathtaking saga.
Apart from struggling to stay alive as you try to make your way through the treacherous regions, you can also amass wealth by defeating enemies and looting their supplies.
Some of the things you can loot include armor, guns, grenades, crafting equipment, and enemy uniforms.
Escape from Tarkov is a high-risk, high-reward game that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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Best Games Like Escape From Tarkov
Here are some of the most notable games like Escape from Tarkov.
1. Hunt: Showdown
Like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown is a first-person shooter game developed and published by Crytek. The game was launched on Steam in 2018 but later found its way to the Xbox Game Preview in 2019.
In this game, you’ll find yourself going up against creatures that wreak havoc by attacking people and devouring their flesh and souls. The creatures can pop out of hiding at a moment’s notice which is why you should always be on the lookout.
As if that’s not enough, other hunters are also after the same bounty as you and may end up fighting you for it. The game features a more traditional setting as opposed to the modern city fighting you get in Escape from Tarkov.
In Hunt, you’ll not only be going up against dangerous creatures, but you also have to battle against the harsh elements in the jungles and mountains. The snow, blizzards, dark settings, and slippery terrain are among the things you’ll have to endure.
The good news is that this is also a high-stakes game because defeating your enemies is the best way to acquire points and essential supplies, including armor, guns, traps, and medical kits.
On the other hand, if you are defeated in a battle, you not only end up dying but you also lose all the items you have gained. That means you’ll have to work your way back up from scratch.
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2. The Cycle: Frontier
The Cycle: Frontier is a player vs player shooter game that involves battles and shootouts with other players.Â
As a player, you’re called a Prospector, and your mission is to scavenge a deserted planet at the edge of the universe which has been destroyed by a radioactive storm. You are sent from the Prospect Station, which orbits the alien planet of Fortuna III, to hunt for these resources.Â
There are plenty of assets to hunt for, but there are also strange, vicious creatures you must fight against. You can explore different areas of Fortuna III, each with its unique terrain and obstacles.Â
Not only that, but other players (also Prospectors) will be on the lookout to steal your loot. You must defend against those attacks or attack them yourself, stealing their loot.
With the pillage you manage to take with you as you leave the planet, you can get better gear, living conditions, and other perks.Â
Be sure to choose your gear carefully so you are prepared for your next drop to an alien planet. When you come across large enemy creatures, your low-powered weapons won’t do you much good.Â
You can also find materials in the wild and craft your own weapons, shields, weapon attachments, and more with them. This flexibility is what makes the game so fun.
The Cycle: Frontier is a little more fast-paced than Escape From Tarkov, and it’s also free. It’s just as risky, though.
3. DayZ
DayZ, by Bohemia Interactive, is a multiplayer online survival game. Each server has 60 players, and your goal is to survive as long as possible.Â
A little context: The game takes place in Chernarus, a post-Soviet country ravaged by a deadly virus that turns victims into crazed zombies. While most of the population was hit by this virus, you are one of the few who were not.Â
So, how do you survive, given you start with just a glow stick, half a bandage, and basic clothing? You must hunt and scavenge to survive, so start looking in abandoned houses, barns, and buildings to find supplies.Â
Not only can you find clothes to keep yourself warm, but you can also find valuable weapons. However, there are dangers along the way, including gas attacks, which can cause you to bleed and eventually die.Â
If you manage to get a gas mask, you can protect yourself from these attacks.Â
You can also get sick with cholera, hepatitis, and other diseases by eating spoiled food, but there are medicines that you can find to heal yourself.Â
Thus, it’s vital to scavenge not just for weapons but also for medical supplies, as you never know which illness will come your way.Â
If you prefer open-world gameplay, DayZ is better than Escape From Tarkov. It’s also more casual and easier to play, without such a big learning curve to master the gameplay.Â
4. Deadside
Deadside is a post-apocalyptic survival game. The game occurs in a world of rivers, forests, and abandoned settlements.Â
It focuses on presenting you with realistic post-apocalyptic conditions, so there are no zombies in the game.Â
You will find many NPCs and other characters, though. Some are friendly and just trying to survive – you can make friends with them.Â
Others, on the other hand, are pretty hostile. You may even encounter a gang of cannibals who want to eat you!
There are bandits who are trying to rob you and forces loyal to the former government. Battles can be long and drawn out, so be prepared for mass combat!
To help you survive, there are plenty of firearms available, as well as additional equipment like flashlights. You can buy these firearms and store them in the safe zones, where you can trade with friendly NPCs.Â
You can also build your own bases, where you can store your weapons safely. You can also kill other players and raid their bases to loot their equipment.Â
The game is a good balance between a shooter video game and a survival game, so it’s a good choice if you like both. Overall, it’s similar to Escape From Tarkov in many ways; both games are survival games that try to stay realistic.Â
5. Vigor
Vigor, unlike Escape From Tarkov, is free to play. It’s set in post-apocalyptic Norway, and your goal is to survive by any means possible.Â
Each player has a shelter, and you should aim to upgrade your shelter in any way you can. Despite being a post-apocalyptic world, you’ll still see the beautiful landscape of Norway mostly intact.Â
During the game, you’ll receive airdrops at predetermined times. The airdrops contain weapons and other valuables, but there are also radioactive airdrops that can harm you if you touch them.Â
There are also periodic radioactive clouds. When they come, you must evacuate unless you have iodine, which allows you to stick around a little longer without getting harmed.Â
New seasons get released regularly, and they bring with them new weapons, consumables, and more.Â
There are also different playing modes, such as the Elimination mode, which features five vs five team fights. Shootout mode is a fast solo shootout mode with 10-minute matches.Â
This game is “love it or hate it.” Many people love it just as much as Escape From Tarkov, while others feel it’s too buggy and clunky.Â
6. Marauders
Set in a sci-fi, industrialized deep space universe, Marauders is a first-person multiplayer game. You’re a lawless space pirate – a Marauder – who has to loot and fight with other players.Â
Earth has become so industrialized that there is no longer any law and order to hold society together, thus forcing many people to flee.Â
You can raid and loot colonies, craft and sell gear at your base, and gather a crew to explore and attack space stations. Just make sure not to shoot your own teammates by mistake!
While navigating space in your spaceship, you’ll be a target for other spaceships crossing your pass, so make sure they can’t intercept you, shoot you down, or board your ship.
Marauders is a brutal survival game. You can be contracted by various factions to complete missions and gain new equipment and rewards, but it’s not easy – there are all kinds of enemies you will come across.Â
It’s similar to Escape From Tarkov, but it features a unique sound design that adds suspense and ensures you stay engaged at all times. The graphics for this diesel-punk space environment are also excellent.
7. STALKER Anomaly
STALKER Anomaly is a standalone mod for fans of STALKER. Players can choose between story mode, featuring four quest chapters, or sandbox mode if you want to create your own story.Â
With hundreds of add-ons, STALKER Anomaly is very customizable, offering players a unique experience.Â
In case you are confused, the STALKER Anomaly mod combines the maps/locations of all three STALKER games from the STALKER trilogy: STALKER: Call of Pripyat, STALKER: Clear Sky, and STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl.Â
The STALKER world is set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, where secret laboratories caused a second disaster in 2006. The zone is now rich in anomalies, such as pillars of fire, that defy nature.Â
Stalkers, who work alone or in factions, roam the zone to enrich themselves with artifacts.Â
You start as a random stalker with the ability to pick your starter faction, getting to experience what it’s like to be living as a random stalker.
It’s best to play STALKER Anomaly after you have already played the original three games. That way, you can first enjoy those games and then appreciate all that Anomaly has to offer, including the many customization options it has.Â
STALKER Anomaly also offers something called Warfare mode. In it, you can capture enemy outposts with your faction, although you don’t attack allied outposts – you just go there without attacking them.Â
8. Badlanders
Bandlanders is a survival shooter game with a strong element of competition. The game takes place on the Red Beach Shelter, which houses the best weapons technology in the world before it was damaged due to a big war.Â
As a Badlander, you will face various enemies, and you should try to loot them and steal their equipment. Once you gather loot, you aren’t safe yet – you have to extract it safely.Â
Your weapons will help protect you in the fast-paced, intense battlefield. With hundreds of weapon customization options, you can try various tactics to make it out in one piece.Â
Players can have a lot of gear or just one or two weapons. Having more gear gives you more power to attack, but it also makes you a greater target, as other creatures will notice you and try to loot your gear.Â
If you have a lot of gear, you can certainly sell it to others. Similarly, if you need more gear, you can buy it from merchants.Â
The ammo system in Badlanders is very realistic, and the graphics of the game are top-notch.Â
Badlanders is inspired by Escape From Tarkov. With apps for Android and iOS, you can play this game while on the go.Â
9. Insurgency: Sandstorm
Insurgency: Sandstorm is another multiplayer tactical first-person shooter video game you can opt for. The game was developed by New World Interactive and published by Focus World Interactive.
It’s a sequel to the popular video game called Insurgency, which was released in 2014. In this game, you get the opportunity to work together with other team members to achieve specific goals.
The key to winning supplies and progressing in this game is to strike a balance between cooperating with teammates and moving fast. While playing this game, you’ll have to manage your ammunition keenly and ensure you navigate the terrain with careful precision.
While the game offers the same exhilarating experience of military fights you get in Escape from Tarkov, it slightly differs when it comes to stakes. In Insurgency: Sandstorm, a defeat does not necessarily translate to loss of your supplies.
In this game, you simply have to revive your character and make another attempt with the same items you have managed to acquire. It is an excellent alternative for anyone that wants to enjoy the thrill of an immersive shooter game without the devastation of losing everything in case of defeat.
This game is available on different platforms including Xbox One, Playstation 4 and 5, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Classic macOS.
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10. 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die is a similar game to Escape from Tarkov but with a slight difference because it incorporates the horror genre in its storyline. In this game, you are going to come up against a horde of the undead who will stop at nothing in their quest to kill you.
Your goal is to survive seven days while navigating across dangerous city streets and unpredictable countryside terrain. You’ll realize that some zombies move slowly making it easy for you to aim and shoot without much difficulty.
However, some zombies will charge at you in tense and fast-paced situations making this as exciting as any other shooting game. And if you manage to make it to the seventh night, prepare to face a barrage of unrelenting zombies that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
7 Days to Die is a multiplayer video game that was developed by The Fun Pimps and was first released in 2013 for Microsoft Windows and macOS systems. Today, the game is also available on different platforms including Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Linux.
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11. Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood is a first-person shooter video game that was developed by Turtle Rock Studios. The game was published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in 2021.
Like Escape from Tarkov, this particular game features a post-apocalyptic setting. It is an immersive game that requires teamwork to progress.
Immediately, when you start the game, you’ll encounter a horde of terrifying creatures that are hellbent on killing humans. The enemy creatures are known as Ridden and it is up to you and your teammates to fight them and end the threat of human extinction.
A unique feature of this game is that you can either play the roles of humans or zombies. It also has a card system that allows you to pick and swap out randomized cards. The cards give you different buffs throughout each playthrough.
Back 4 Blood is available on different platforms including Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series S.
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12. Miscreated
Miscreated is a multiplayer hardcore online survival game that was developed by Entrada Interactive LLC. This game features a post-apocalyptic setting, which is what you’ll find in Escape from Tarkov.
As you enter the gameplay, you’ll be introduced to this breathtaking world full of exciting details and fantasy world-building. As a character in the game, you are living in the year 2089, a time of great ruin thanks to past wars that devastated the world.
When playing the game, you’ll come against various types of mutants that seek to kill you. But that’s not all, other players are also after the same things as you and it is therefore common to find different players clashing.
Gamers are also going to have to battle the harsh elements of this post-apocalyptic world. You’ll need to develop your survival skills because you may have to improvise with things such as purifying water and hunting animals for food.
You can also decide to start a farm or negotiate with other players to collaborate and build a strong base. Keep in mind that certain players have no time for peacemaking. They’ll attempt to rob and kill you, which is why you must always be on the lookout.
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13. Arma 3
Arma 3 is an open-world, realism-based military tactical shooter game that was developed by Bohemia Interactive. This game was originally released for the Windows platform in 2013.
It was only later in 2015 that the game was also made available for gamers on Linux and macOS devices. Like Escape from Tarkov, this particular game throws you into a world of military conflict.
Arma 3 is set in the 2030s, where a new Eastern military alliance is emerging and exerting its influence, while the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is on a steady decline.
The game features different military equipment including vehicles, tanks, and helicopters. You can even go ahead and drive a vehicle or fly a chopper as you seek to complete your missions.
The game’s open-world design means that you’ll have plenty of room to move around and explore. The design also allows you to snipe at enemies that are far away.
With the right strategy and gear, you can start progressing through the various stages of the game with relative ease.
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14. Payday 2
Payday 2 is a first-person shooter video game that was developed by Overkill Software and published by 505 Games. The game was first released to the public in 2013 and was only available on three platforms, including Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
If you love the thrill associated with shooting games but don’t want to go the military way, you might want to consider Payday 2.
The game is a squad-based shooter option meaning you’ll have to join two or three of your friends to execute your mission of robbing banks and fighting off any cops that try to thwart your plans.
In this game, you are always outnumbered by cops and that is why you need to cooperate with your friends to succeed in amassing the wealth you need. Keep in mind that you’ll be losing important health points quickly and must therefore find cover under your healthier teammates.
The game is also designed to ensure that you stay in constant communication with your teammates otherwise you’ll not be able to spot the threats that are approaching from different directions.
Payday certainly comes across as a similar shooter alternative to Escape from Tarkov, but it is slightly less tense because you don’t have to worry about losing everything in case you are killed.
Today, the game is available on various platforms including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and Linux.
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15. Metro Exodus
Another game that is similar to Escape from Tarkov is Metro Exodus. It is a first-person shooter video game that was developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver.
A unique aspect of this game is that it tends to incorporate a science fiction theme into the gameplay. However, it still manages to deliver when it comes to tension and military mechanics.
The game features an open-world setting which is pretty ideal for players who don’t like confined areas. An array of weapons including long-range guns make it possible to aim at enemies from a long way off.
The game also includes a variety of hostile locations with enemies hiding all over the treacherous paths. Instead of focusing too much on your shooting skills, you’ll want to come up with strategies and develop stealth as a critical skill to survive in this world.
The game consists of two large sandbox areas, and as a character in the game, you’ll be making your journey through the Russian wilderness to a safe location.
Some of the items you’ll need to make your way through the wilderness include two main weapons, a bracer, a plate carrier, a helmet, electronic equipment, and a gas mask.
Metro Exodus is available on various platforms including Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X, Linux, and Amazon Luna.
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16. Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is an action role-playing game that was developed by the famous Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fourth installment of the Fallout game series and was released to the public in 2015.
Its open-world design is one of the things that endear the game to many gamers. The sprawling world consists of unique regions with interesting features that are sure to pique your interest as you explore.
It is a single-shooter game, meaning you are going to have to depend on no one else but yourself to survive. The good news is that you can get access to an array of weapons and come up with various strategies to ensure survival.
Joining different factions in this world can be one of the ways to stay on top of the game. But if you fancy a solo run, it is also up to you because, in this world, you can do whatever you want.
Players can choose between a smooth-talking character that can sway others or a fully armored soldier ready to engage in grueling battles at a moment’s notice. Collecting weapons, armor, chemicals, and food is key to building a stronghold that will withstand all kinds of attacks.
Fallout 4 has striking similarities with Escape from Tarkov but also incorporates unique features that will keep you coming back for more. The game is available on different platforms including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.
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17. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds or PUBG is undoubtedly one of the most popular shooting games available today. It was developed by KRAFTON and PUBG Corporation.
Just like Escape from Tarkove, PUBG is full of action-packed battles that will keep you thrilled. Instead of fighting AI-generated enemies, this particular game makes it possible for you to engage in combat with other online players.
There are even battle royales that involve over 100 participants and the last man standing is the winner. In such battles, you can choose to join as an individual or a team of two to four people.
The game requires you to stay in close communication with your teammates because that is the best way to overcome potential threats that may come in well-organized teams.
PUBG has become quite popular and is available on various platforms including mobile, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.
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Verdict
While most games listed above offer excellent gameplay, and first-rate entertainment, we found Hunt: Showdown the closest alternative to Escape from Tarkov.Â
Try playing it sometime to experience it for yourself.Â
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