This game scratches the Tarkov itch really well while being a little more forgiving to play. This game does not require a crazy amount of time in game to learn, it's fairly easy to pick up and start playing and be moderately good in. I love the aspect that you can choose to play more mission oriented with vendor tasks than how Tarkov does it.

Some negative reviews are founded, this is what I agree with: the AI can be stupid quick to headshot you from very far away, the game is demanding and frame rate can drop at times, and a lot of the world seems to be fairly empty vegetation.

Mostly, all of these negative points are overcome through gameplay. For example, you quickly learn how to engage the AI to not get killed really easily. Adjusting graphics settings depending on your set up. The cities and towns are so well designed and full of exploration and exciting gunfights.

My only real complaint is to have a slightly more well rounded library of firearms to choose from. Adding something like a 20in AR option to clone an M16 type rifle would be neat to see.

Overall, I would recommend playing this to anyone who wants a slightly more relaxed extraction shooter experience that is more focused on playing with friends but entirely able to be played single player as well.

Written after playing for the first time.

Gameplay is great, and easy to get hold of without reprogramming a dozen mouse buttons like Arma. AI are notably difficult, but I don't get why people put this as a downside. Yes sometimes they seem like they take more to go down, but I've noticed it may be because I'm hitting them in whatever chest rigs they've got on.

Biggest downside is definitely the optimisation. I'm running a RTX 4060 with an i7-13700F. Not the beefiest of PCs, but I still would expect to play in medium graphics. But instead, I'm on low, with a constant icon telling me to lower the graphics for a smoother experience.

Overall, a great experience. But one to get shelved until the optimisation issue is resolved as it borders unplayable when in large town centres or on infil/exfil.

Tarkov for those of us who DONT like getting anally prolapsed by sweaty nerds and greedy companies. Just dont get greedy and keep the PVE and ill keep playing :D