Escape From Duckov

About

Escape From Duckov is a single player role playing shooter game. It was developed by Team Soda and was released on October 16, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Escape From Duckov plunges you into a mysterious world filled with danger and unpredictability, where survival depends on exploration, scavenging, and upgrading your gear and base. Navigate five diverse maps with dynamic loot, enemies, and weather, making each expedition unique and challenging. Balance risk and reward as you fight to escape alive before time runs out.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,514 reviews

gameplay378 positive mentions

grinding189 negative mentions

Escape from Duckov offers a fun and addictive gameplay loop, combining elements of extraction shooters with a lighthearted duck theme.
The game features a variety of quests, weapons, and customization options, allowing players to tailor their experience and enjoy a casual yet challenging environment.
The modding community is active and provides quality-of-life improvements, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

The developers have been criticized for tolerating malicious mods that can crash the game and compromise player security, leading to a loss of trust in the game's ecosystem.
Some players find the late-game progression tedious and reliant on RNG, making it frustrating to complete certain quests and obtain necessary items.
The lack of controller support has been a significant drawback for many players, especially those wanting to play on handheld devices like the Steam Deck.

gameplay
812 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The gameplay of "Escape from Duckov" is widely praised for its addictive loop, combining looter-shooter mechanics with a charming aesthetic and engaging progression systems. Players appreciate the depth of mechanics, smooth controls, and the ability to tailor difficulty, making it accessible for both casual and hardcore gamers. However, some critiques mention repetitive quests and grindy elements, particularly in later stages, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is utterly serene, combining the adrenaline rush of the extraction shooter genre while also allowing you to immerse yourself in a meticulously crafted world of unique locations, rich in detail.”
- “It's really fun, and the gameplay is quite deep.”
- “The core gameplay loop is tight as a beak snap: loot, sneak, quack (optional), repeat.”
- “Very dull gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay is slow and a bit tedious.”
- “It should've been a 20-30 hour game, but was made 30+ hours purely by adding repetitive gameplay without any value just to prolong the game.”
story
603 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
78%
7%
The game's story is minimal and primarily conveyed through a series of quests that often feel repetitive and grindy, with many players noting a lack of engaging narrative depth. While the quest system provides structure and progression, it is heavily reliant on fetch and kill objectives, leading to a sense of monotony, especially in the later stages. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the quirky humor and charm embedded in the quest design, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “The game feels well-balanced and thoughtfully designed, with quests that guide your progression naturally so you’re never left stuck or unsure of what to do next.”
- “The quests are compelling and keep you engaged; there is always something you are working towards which makes it so difficult to put down.”
- “The story and base develop beyond a simple plot, which adds to the overall love of the game for me.”
- “The game is okay for the first 20 hours, but then there are too many repetitive side quests that make me lose sight of the main goal.”
- “The biggest issue is the quest system's pacing, which can feel quite repetitive since some quests require rare item drops that are mostly RNG-based.”
- “The quests are tedious and I am just not having fun playing this. Most quests have no sense at all as you have to just kill the same bosses over and over again with different weapons.”
graphics
237 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, cartoonish art style that enhances the overall experience without detracting from gameplay. While some players note that the visuals are simple and not groundbreaking, they are generally well-received for their clarity and appeal, contributing to a fun and engaging atmosphere. The cute aesthetic, featuring ducks in a humorous context, adds character to the game, making it enjoyable despite its serious gameplay mechanics.
- “The graphics are stunning, the atmosphere is immersive, and the gameplay is very entertaining.”
- “The visuals are bright and cheery, which makes the relative brutality of combat funny, in an absurdist way.”
- “The art style they picked fits the game's built-in humor very well.”
- “For a game with such basic graphics, it works surprisingly poorly even though I can run stuff like Cyberpunk '77 without a hitch.”
- “That said, there were some issues around some of the graphics and draw distances; most of the models look really fuzzy, and I occasionally ran into pop-out and stuttering when the game was running.”
- “The graphics are charming but pedestrian - and that's okay.”
humor
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Escape from Duckov" is a standout feature, blending absurdity and clever references to the extraction shooter genre, particularly "Escape from Tarkov." Players appreciate the game's goofy character design, witty dialogue, and the way humor is seamlessly integrated into gameplay, making each session both entertaining and memorable. Overall, the game is described as hilariously fun, with a charming duck-themed aesthetic that enhances the experience without undermining the challenge.
- “The humor isn’t just surface-level jokes—it’s woven directly into the gameplay, visuals, and tone, making every run feel memorable.”
- “Escape from Duckov takes the gritty tension of extraction shooters and wraps it in a hilariously absurd duck-themed package that somehow works perfectly.”
- “The game’s charm lies in its silly humor and unexpected twists, making every moment a joyful challenge.”
grinding
201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many enjoy the initial gameplay loop and find the early stages engaging, a significant number express frustration with the grindiness that becomes pronounced in the late game, often leading to repetitive tasks and tedious resource farming. Overall, players recommend the game for its fun mechanics but caution that those averse to grinding may find the experience less enjoyable as they progress.
- “Gameplay loop is entertaining and not too grindy; the experience is well polished.”
- “Upgrading gear isn't tedious.”
- “The progression is challenging but fun; the collection and extraction is not tedious, the quests are easy to track and accomplish, and the gunplay is a ton of fun.”
- “Grinding through jlabs was a huge pain but it was still great overall.”
- “Grindy game overall, no point in playing. Unlocked the 3rd map on the 8th hour, but what's the point of playing after dying and being faced with needing to grind items again just to be one-shot by some other boss?”
- “The first 90% of the game is great, but the final area is very tedious.”
music
129 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its relaxing jazz soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, especially in the bunker and during loot management. While many players appreciate the soothing and enjoyable tunes, some have noted a desire for more variety and livelier options during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and player experience.
- “The soundtrack deserves its own praise, upbeat, playful, and perfectly matched to the rhythm of gameplay.”
- “The jazz soundtrack in the bunker is fantastic and adds to the game's overall tone.”
- “The hideout music is so chill I'm legitimately angry that the music is not on iTunes because I would listen to it while sipping iced coffee on a rainy day.”
- “Oh, and there is no way to switch the bunker music off entirely, unless you switch music off for the whole game.”
- “The only downside I could point out is the annoying but calm music in the bunker.”
- “Okay, being honest, the music... it's awful, truly the worst in-game music ever... but I'm not deducting points because you can turn it off.”
optimization
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
36%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players report solid performance with minimal issues, some users experience significant stuttering, frame drops, and graphical problems, particularly on certain hardware configurations. Despite these inconsistencies, several reviews highlight the game's polish and commend its optimization compared to other titles, especially for an indie release.
- “Those changes addressed several stability and performance issues, including engine-related frame drops, crashes, and a handful of recurring bugs.”
- “Performance-wise, the game is remarkably polished for an indie release.”
- “It's surprisingly well polished and optimized; I haven't encountered a single crash, and I don't recall a single distinguishable bug, though I'm sure there are some.”
- “That said, there were some issues around some of the graphics and draw distances; most of the models look really fuzzy, and I occasionally ran into pop-out and stuttering when the game was running.”
- “Either it is an unoptimized mess or there is something else wrong.”
- “All it means is 5 minutes compiling shaders, longer load times, ducking terrible performance, and a game that feels like it's running on duct tape.”
replayability
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players find it endlessly entertaining with significant depth, mod support, and varied objectives that enhance replay value, others feel that the core gameplay can become repetitive and lacks substantial rewards for repeated runs. Many reviews highlight the potential for replayability through mods and multiple endings, but some players express concerns about linear progression and limited content. Overall, the game's replayability is bolstered by its modding community and unique mechanics, though opinions vary on its long-term engagement.
- “Surprising amount of depth and replayability to areas.”
- “The mod support makes this game infinitely replayable and infinitely fun.”
- “These constantly shifting objectives are what make the maps so replayable as it forces you to play in a different way than the previous dozen times.”
- “Because replayability is quite low, progression is quite linear, so it would be better to just continue the save.”
- “I'm not sure where the replayability is at after finishing the game after 60 hours, but it will surely get a spot on the shelf that will inevitably be dusted off in the future.”
- “But then again, it's a €15 game, so replayability is not that important.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of humor, charm, and immersive elements, creating a captivating environment that balances tension and absurdity. Players appreciate the engaging settings, from the noir-inspired city of Duckov to the intense survival scenarios, which enhance the overall experience despite some gameplay challenges. The combination of well-designed soundscapes and visual aesthetics contributes to a cozy yet thrilling atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “You’re dropped into Duckov, a city equal parts noir and nonsense, where every alley drips with atmosphere and every citizen seems one unfortunate quack away from a meltdown.”
- “The atmosphere is surprisingly immersive, despite the fact that your greatest nemesis is essentially a bird with an attitude problem.”
- “Dropping your gear on death creates an atmosphere in which you must give the game 100% of your focus.”
- “Detection & atmosphere: vision is limited to your facing direction, creating tense ambushes and cautious corner-turns.”
- “Escape from Duckov absolutely nails what I want from a top-down Tarkov-style game — tense looting runs, meaningful risk/reward, and a surprising amount of atmosphere for a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
stability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews from players. While some report a smooth experience with minimal bugs and crashes, others highlight significant issues, including game freezes, crashes, and potential malicious code that could harm systems. Overall, while certain aspects of the game run well, there are notable concerns regarding stability, particularly with community mods and specific gameplay elements.
- “The bug-free Tarkov.”
- “Runs great with nearly no bugs.”
- “Plays great and runs great.”
- “Over the past months, I’ve helped clean up, rewrite, and submit ~5000 lines of code after troubleshooting issues that were brought up repeatedly by the community.”
- “The only downside is that it sometimes freezes my game, then crashes afterwards.”
- “Kind of fun but very buggy and annoying.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a mix of chaotic fun and unexpected attachment, often leading to moments of both joy and emotional damage. The game balances high-stakes looting with wholesome humor, creating a unique experience that keeps players engaged despite the occasional frustration. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate a blend of lightheartedness and emotional intensity.
- “The vibes are immaculate: stressful in the right way, rewarding in the 'I survived and now I’m emotionally attached to this loot' way.”
- “The game fully supports both power fantasies and emotional breakdowns.”
- “Would recommend to anyone who enjoys high-stakes looting, emotional damage, and the sound of distant quacks haunting their dreams.”
monetization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and hidden costs, allowing for a complete gaming experience without the typical pitfalls of modern monetization strategies. However, some users express concerns about the game's overall quality, suggesting it may still feel like a cash grab despite its lack of in-game purchases. Overall, players are relieved to find a game that prioritizes enjoyment over profit-driven mechanics.
- “In our current world filled with microtransactions, scam attempts in video games, and live service nonsense, it is really nice to see a complete game that you can play from start to finish and just enjoy it.”
- “No microtransactions, no hidden schemes.”
- “What I'm especially happy about is that so far, there appears to be zero in-game purchases.”
- “Tried enjoying this soulless cash grab Unity project by greedy devs that allow malicious code in the workshop.”
- “Overall, it's fine; it's certainly not bad, but really it's just another extraction shooter with a bit more of a cozy aesthetic. However, it does feel like a bit of a cheap, albeit nice looking, polished cash grab attempt.”
- “I am delighted this was a fully realized title and not a quick cash grab, which still would've been completely valid.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Character development in "Escape of Duckov" is noted for its humorous and quirky design, contributing to the game's overall charm. While the gameplay may be clunky, it adds to the fun, and the characters are seen as a standout feature that elevates the game within the extraction shooter genre. Overall, the game is praised for achieving above-average quality in character design, making it a noteworthy example in its category.
- “In my opinion, Escape of Duckov has achieved above average in every aspect of game development, be it level design, environment design, or character design. This game, despite being a parody, should be a textbook example of what an extraction shooter should be.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity.”
- “The dialogue and interactions between characters are often cringeworthy, detracting from the overall experience.”