MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes checked out a parody of Escape from Tarkov at the gamescom 2025 because the game had ducks. But he was surprised, because after the first impression he knows: It could become a competent survival game.
What game is it about? It has been known for a while that Escape from Duckov, a parody of the extraction shooter Escape from Tarkov, is coming out still this year. At gamescom I had to take the opportunity to try out the absurd game from developer Team Soda. Through a playtest, I was even able to take another look at the game after the fair.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of extraction shooters. I even gave up on Hunt: Showdown after about 13 hours, although I find the setting and atmosphere pretty cool. The game mechanics just aren’t my thing, especially since I play shooters too casually.
Also, I initially had my problems with Escape from Duckov. The gameplay loop didn’t make sense to me at first, and I was running around trying unsuccessfully to take out the enemies on the map. After several deaths, I was fascinated, because suddenly I was having fun, as Duckov is so different from classic extraction shooters.
Aside from the parody, a competent game
Why did it suddenly click? An important point is the combat. Escape from Duckov is essentially a top-down shooter, and it felt quite good. It is a relatively slow game, but the role and proper use of cover worked well. I also liked the hit feedback, especially the sound.
The many ducks and the customizable bird that can be made absurdly ugly in the editor lighten things up. It is simply funny when exploring the world and suddenly being confronted with quacking, leading to a fight.
After a while, the other aspect of the genre also worked well. Like in a survival game, I collected loot and regularly had to decide whether to continue exploring and risk my loot or waddle back to base to secure everything. It’s worth it, since there was a bridge in the demo that I had to repair with wooden planks.
My big highlight while exploring was an NPC I found in a house. It was a muscular duck with a six-pack that wanted 2 eggs. However, while trying to get them, I was surrounded and ultimately taken down by 2 ducks.
But I wasn’t frustrated because Escape from Duckov feels like a relaxed cozy game since it does so much differently than classic extraction shooters.
Everything I can’t stand is missing here
What is different? The biggest point for me is that you are not fighting against real players. This removes a certain pressure. Nevertheless, the game is difficult. You have to be careful about how you use your equipment, as entering the wrong area unprepared can quickly lead to your demise.
When you die, you can quickly get back into the action and have another chance to grab old loot. A quick loop arises, as you know where to go or where to avoid. The fast respawning leads to a less frustrating experience than in online games, where you have to reconnect.
Upgrades through experience points and money are also a satisfying reward, even if you’re hesitant to explore too much.
I didn’t look at the base building, but it promises, at least on the Steam page, diverse possibilities. Many blueprints and resources that I initially couldn’t use definitely support this.
In short: The game provided success experiences in the demo, and even a short session of 5 to 10 minutes felt good. If I then wanted some excitement, I tried to take out one of the enemy bases, although that usually failed. It was still a good game to play in between.
What is still missing? Although I could only play the demo, I already have a few wishes for the future. A coop mode could work well within the PvE structure and would definitely make things more fun, as you can approach combat differently.
I also hope that there are more quests, as they create a guiding thread for players like me to navigate the survival gameplay. Aside from that, Escape from Duckov could become a pretty competent and also funny survival game, which is even interesting for extraction-haters like me. You can read more about gamescom here: If the gaming trend of the next few years follows the gamescom 2025, we are in for a great time
