It seems as though everyone is fighting to create the most popular extraction game right now, with games like Arc Raiders, Marathon, Escape from Tarkov and more battling each other for the crown. However, another challenger has waddled in from out of nowhere: Escape from Duckov.
Escape from Duckov is a PvE extraction game where you must roam around a map, grab as much loot as you can, then extract from the area without getting killed and losing all your ill-gotten goods. The twist? You’re a duck. In fact, it’s all ducks. It’s ducks with guns and knives murking each other.
Created by Team Soda, a Bilibili game studio, the game launched to Steam on the 16th October. Since then, it has quickly risen in players, shooting up to a peak of roughly 61,000 after one day, before continuing the climb up to its current peak (as of writing) of 221,963.
For those unaware, the name Escape from Duckov is a play on Escape from Tarkov, arguably the first major extraction shooter in its popular form. That game is due to get its own Steam release in November, so perhaps Duckov will give eager fans something to pond-er over in the meantime. Sorry.
Currently on sale for £15.83 / $15.83 / €15.83, the game has landed at the number three spot across global top sellers on Steam, behind Battlefield 6 and Counter Strike 2. Not bad for a game that just swam onto the platform a few days ago.
Escape from Duckov is spreading its wings just as Arc Raiders concluded its own server slam play test, and right before Marathon is due to have its next closed technical test following a shaky first impression. Strictly speaking Escape from Duckov as a PvE game isn’t strictly a competitor to these releases despite its cheeky name, but who knows? Maybe Escape from Duckov will continue to do well in these harsh digital waters.