Fans of tense asymmetric multiplayer games have an exciting new title to look forward to Level Zero: Extraction. This new intriguing shooter blends the anxiety-inducing gameplay of survival horror with the high stakes of extraction shooters for an exhilarating player-vs-player-vs-environment (PvPvE) experience.
Developed by DogHowl Games and set to launch in early access on Steam this year, Level Zero: Extraction drops squads of 1-3 heavily armed mercenaries into sprawling, alien-infested complexes with one goal: extract valuable artifacts and data before other teams steal them. This being a team-based extraction shooter, human opponents looking to take you down aren’t the only threat. Players must also evade horrifying, light-sensitive extraterrestrials controlled by opposing team members. With no option for extra lives and plenty of environmental hazards to boot, the odds are stacked high even before the monsters arrive.
Yet Level Zero: Extraction offers more than just white-knuckle get-in-get-out runs. A deep progression system allows characters to improve their arsenal and gadgets with each successful extraction, granting access to new weapons and tools for future sorties. The asymmetric design also means those assuming the role of alien nemesis sport an array of deadly abilities to hunt the squishy humans. Matches become a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, with teams toggling between stalking and evading based on their assigned roles.
“Level Zero: Extraction’s immersive backbone stems from its custom-built FPS systems designed specifically for this experience.”
Perhaps one of the more innovative systems I have seen in this type of game is the use of light, and the team at DogHowl Games is making the most of it. Smart utilization of light sources provides a momentary sanctuary from the beasts while also pinpointing your location. This clever dichotomy epitomizes Extraction’s tense give-and-take gameplay. Traversing the eerie facilities demands a delicate balance of stealth, speed, and brazen assaults, often switching between all three in a span of seconds. With nine competitors per session, no match plays out the same way twice.
Level Zero: Extraction‘s immersive backbone stems from its custom-built FPS systems designed specifically for this experience. Weapon handling, melee, movement, and health management have all been constructed to deliver seat-edge action. Combine this tight core gameplay with destructible environments and a large range of gadgets like sensor darts and remote turrets, and DogHowl seems poised to deliver chaos in spades.
Level Zero: Extraction shows a strong visual look and concept, even before it hits early access, and brings some exciting concepts to a very competitive genre. While I am not the biggest lover of extraction shooters, the new ideas DogHowl Games are bringing to the table here make me want to see more and test my metal against real players from around the world to see what the game has to offer.
Part of the reason I am so excited about the concept is the people behind the game. The team is composed of veteran developers from titles like GTFO and Payday and boasts strong experience in co-op shooters and asymmetric multiplayer designs. They leverage this expertise in Level Zero: Extraction‘s variety of locales, objective types, and character roles, all tuned to wring out the tension. Concept-wise, it reminds me of Evolve, with a much more refined and complete feel. While I loved the concept of that game, many aspects fell flat on execution, and DogHowl seems to know what they are doing and looks to be avoiding the same pitfalls that Turtle Rock Studios encountered.
The team at DogHowl is targeting a closed beta starting on March 15th to gather feedback before an open beta this summer and the full early access release later this year. This testing period should provide crucial data to help polish and refine the final product. Once in early access, the developers plan to support the game with regular content updates, including new maps, gear, monster abilities, and in-game events. Here’s hoping the roadmap stays on track, as Extraction’s compelling blend of PvP and PvE could provide a uniquely intense multiplayer shooter for squad play.
As we draw closer to Level Zero: Extraction‘s March closed beta launch, the details provided stir exciting speculation about the final product. Few games meld competitive and cooperative play so seamlessly, and Level Zero: Extraction‘s horror elements set it further apart.
Keep it locked on CGMagazine for more coverage leading up to release, including impressions from our hands-on preview. If Level Zero: Extraction‘s pre-release material is any indication, DogHowl may have something special on their hands for squad-based survival horror fans.
