An extraction shooter can be a lot of fun when you’re in the mood for some competitive action. Inspired by games like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown and Alien: Isolation, the developers behind Doghowl Games have introduced their first PvPvE multiplayer title, Level Zero: Extraction.

Join a team and challenge other mercenary groups and player-controlled alien creatures. The game offers a wide variety of military-grade weaponry as well as prototype guns to choose from before you head into battle. You can customize each weapon with various attachments, such as stocks and sights, to craft a weapon that suits your preferences.

In some situations, a more up-close-and-personal approach will be required; for these scenarios, the game also features a melee combat system. You will be able to wield an assortment of brutal close-range weapons, such as axes, swords, and sledgehammers, among many others. To upgrade your mercenary’s capabilities, you will need to install neural implants or gain an edge over enemy teams by unlocking new extraction zones using unique items, like a remote door controller, that you can bring into the level.

Together, you will embark on exploration missions across multiple maps, each offering a distinct setting, risks, and lore. As of the launch of Level Zero: Extraction, you are able to explore two areas: the modern-looking research facility and the spooky caves of Turion. Your goal in these locations is to discover valuable loot such as weaponry, resources, and tradable items, then safely extract them. While exploring these locations, being able to communicate with your two teammates is vital for survival. The game has a built-in proximity chat that allows you to speak with your fellow survivors, enabling you to strategize about the current objective or discuss your favorite pizza toppings.

Human players are not the only threats you have to watch out for. You will need to confront AI enemies and other PvE threats, including mutants, automated turrets, and mines. While other mercenaries can be easily taken down by your bullets, the aliens will not. To defeat them, you need to use light; items like flares work as well, so if you play as an alien, stay away from the lights and surprise the mercenaries. Even after you die, you can continue to support your allies by taking control of a surveillance drone. However, to maximize your chances of survival, you must utilize crafting stations to create ammunition, weapons, and syringes.

The developers released a roadmap that outlines the updates we can expect during the remainder of 2024. The most interesting of these is the third playable map, known as the Space Station. Older locations will also receive additional points of interest to explore. There will be many cosmetic items, mainly new clothing for the mercs and skins for the aliens.

End-game content will be extended too; so far, they have only revealed legendary suits, which can most likely be obtained by defeating the upcoming end-game bosses. More weapons, loot, and neuro chips for your mercenary will also be added.

You can get Level Zero: Extraction for $17.99 during the first two weeks after its release on Steam.