Escape From Tarkov combat footage is intense and Russian

Escape From Tarkov

We said back in March that the upcoming multiplayer FPS Escape From Tarkov is "taking gun customization to absurd heights.” The game's gun selection is extensive, and each weapon can be broken down into remarkably detailed components. You can even strip them down and watch the internal mechanisms working as they fire, although that's not particularly good for them in combat. And combat is what it's all about, after all.

The new footage is “raw alpha,” which I guess indicates that it's different from straight-up alpha gameplay somehow. Whatever it means, it looks good, and it sounds great, too: The gunfire has real weight, and nothing embodies the spirit of angry men trying to kill each other than shouting in Russian.

I will always lament the absence of a single-player campaign, especially since Escape From Tarkov is so reminiscent of the great post-Chernobyl FPS Stalker, but I'm still really looking forward to giving it a try. When that will be is anyone's guess, but you can sign up for closed beta access at escapefromtarkov.com.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.