Level Zero: Extraction

About

In "Level Zero: Extraction," players experience a multiplayer extraction horror game, where they can choose to be an elite PMC mercenary, extracting valuable loot while facing off against other players and PvE hazards, or a formidable alien monster, hunting the humans. The game features intense gunfights, customizable weapons, and a melee combat system. Cooperative gameplay with up to 2 teammates is supported.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

64%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,579 reviews

gameplay93 positive mentions

optimization11 negative mentions

Unique blend of horror and extraction shooter mechanics, providing a fresh experience.
Developers are responsive to community feedback and actively working on improvements.
The atmosphere and graphics are immersive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Significant balance issues between mercs and aliens, making gameplay frustrating for alien players.
Frequent crashes and performance issues, particularly for players with lower-end hardware.
High presence of cheaters, impacting the overall enjoyment and fairness of the game.

gameplay
277 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The gameplay of "Level Zero: Extraction" is a mixed bag, with players praising its unique mechanics, particularly the light and darkness system that enhances the horror atmosphere, and the engaging extraction shooter loop. However, many reviews highlight significant balance issues, especially regarding the alien gameplay, which feels underwhelming and frustrating compared to the more polished mercenary experience. While the game shows potential with its tactical elements and immersive design, it suffers from bugs, inconsistent pacing, and a steep learning curve that may deter new players.
- “Very fun game, great gameplay, and yes, though there are small bugs, the game keeps improving. Well worth every penny.”
- “The gameplay loop is great; you go in, get loot, fight aliens and other mercs, extract, and repeat.”
- “The unique gameplay, which allows you to step into the shoes of elite mercenaries or formidable alien creatures, creates a dynamic and unpredictable battlefield that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.”
- “Unfortunately, the devs keep making decision after decision to take the game away from what it was, such as making light damage practically an optional mechanic for mercs to use when dealing with aliens and turning on the overhead lights permanently.”
- “The aliens feel slow, weak, and limited, with underwhelming abilities and clunky combat mechanics that make playing them more frustrating than fun.”
- “The whole experience as an alien is jank and unintuitive, and feels more like an afterthought than a gameplay feature.”
atmosphere
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
32%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive, tense, and eerie qualities, often compared to classic horror titles. Players appreciate the unique blend of sci-fi and horror elements, enhanced by high-quality sound design and detailed environments that create a palpable sense of danger. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the gameplay experience and player engagement.
- “The atmosphere is incredible – dark, eerie, and intense from start to finish.”
- “This is a masterclass in horror extraction, with an atmosphere so thick with tension that every move feels like it could be your last.”
- “The game’s use of lighting and shadow contributes to a tense and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall sense of danger and discovery.”
- “It seems they've lost touch with what the tone and atmosphere of their game was even meant to be.”
- “The sci-fi alien atmosphere is dense and oppressive and not for the faint-hearted.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with tension, and teamwork is absolutely essential to survive.”
graphics
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
6%
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the stunning visuals and atmospheric design, particularly when running on high settings. However, some users have reported performance issues, including severe graphical glitches and low frame rates on mid-range systems, especially when utilizing the demanding "lumen" feature. Overall, while the graphics are considered a strong point, optimization and accessibility for lower-end hardware remain areas for improvement.
- “The graphics are, in my opinion, contemporary and consistent and run smoothly with high details even with my RTX 2070.”
- “Level Zero Extraction excels with its stunning graphics that perfectly capture the dark, atmospheric setting.”
- “Game is stunning - graphics are cool, guns, map design, and even the music is made very well.”
- “Currently, it's not a playable game for me; severe graphical glitches.”
- “Even at the lowest possible graphics setting, I still got 21 fps.”
- “Got this game, very excited, and then had 9 frames on low graphics when anything more than walking happened.”
optimization
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
56%
26%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting performance issues, glitches, and frame drops that detract from the experience. While some users noted that the game runs well on higher-end systems, the consensus is that it requires substantial improvements to be considered playable, especially given its early access status. Many players expressed hope for future updates to address these optimization concerns, but currently, the game's performance is seen as a major drawback.
- “The art style is visually appealing and the game runs well once your settings are optimized.”
- “Graphically it's very appealing in my opinion and the performance is excellent on my system.”
- “After a few updates to change the optimization as well as adding more items to loot and buy, I feel this game has the potential to take over the extraction shooter genre.”
- “Not recommended until the hacker and performance issues are fixed.”
- “Poor optimization and loaded with cheaters in its current state, which is honestly surprising considering the playtest was a lot of fun and ran a lot smoother.”
- “The worst part of the game is by far the optimization; it doesn't run past 50-90 for me and drops frames all the time, no settings can help it.”
story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
81%
8%
The game's story is described as lacking depth and coherence, with many players feeling that the quest design is poor and unfulfilling. While some appreciate the potential for engaging narratives and immersive elements, others criticize the imbalance in gameplay that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the story aspect seems to be a mixed bag, with a need for better integration and development to enhance player engagement.
- “This is a gem and I can't wait till the devs feed us more lore and story.”
- “The narrative in Level Zero Extraction is compelling and well-crafted, weaving a story that keeps players engaged from start to finish.”
- “The immersive storytelling is bolstered by excellent voice acting and well-written dialogue, creating a truly engaging experience.”
- “It was so bad that after 2 games (overall 10 minutes of playing, 4 minutes in mission and the rest in menus either waiting, figuring out the layout or complaining about the first game) we opted to try to refund the game.”
- “There really is no story mode.”
- “Randomized quests which reward me with like... 2k money and some rep so I can get access to more barter offers is just pointless and unfulfilling.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
96%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and overly time-consuming, with many expressing frustration over slow progression and the need to repeatedly engage with the same maps and enemies. While some appreciate the challenge and the satisfaction that comes from grinding, the consensus is that the current system feels excessively grindy, particularly in terms of unlocking items and leveling up traders, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
- “So you spend several hours grinding, to lose it all???”
- “The biggest issue that the devs could easily resolve is the grinding.”
- “The grind for unlocking items which requires selling items to traders that also have rep attached to them, the worst grind of them all being the gunsmith with 63 levels as of right now, in the betas this was 100 times faster and now for the launch it is 100 times slower to ensure people can't grind too quickly through every item but for me personally this needs adjusted at least by 10%-15% to make grinding not such a slogged down experience as well as giving contract rewards an upgrade as what you get right now feels lacking.”
stability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The game's stability is currently a significant issue, with numerous players reporting severe bugs, graphical glitches, and performance problems that hinder gameplay. Many users experience crashes, long matchmaking times, and various gameplay-affecting glitches, particularly related to combat mechanics. While some acknowledge the game's potential and the ongoing efforts to address these issues, the consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" in its early access state.
- “Runs great.”
- “The game is rather buggy and the player base is at a stage where finding a game can take ages.”
- “It either crashes or never loads and freezes.”
- “Game is a buggy mess.”
humor
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of absurdity and dark comedy, with players finding amusement in chaotic interactions, unexpected gameplay mechanics, and the antics of both friends and foes. While some moments are genuinely funny, particularly in multiplayer scenarios, there are frustrations with gameplay balance and cheating that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the humor adds a unique layer to the game, making it entertaining despite its flaws.
- “I played so much as an alien, when I tried a merc with my boys, it was funny how much we fussed at each other to not do things that will scare the crap out of each other.”
- “It's really a funny cycle of events.”
- “Reading these negative reviews is hilarious; it's like they don't understand what an extraction shooter is.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
The music in the game has received high praise, with many users highlighting the quality of the soundtrack, describing it as "incredible" and featuring "bangers" that enhance the overall atmosphere. While the soundtrack consists of only a few songs, they are well-crafted and contribute positively to the gaming experience. Overall, the combination of impressive graphics and engaging music creates a captivating environment, despite some concerns about gameplay depth.
- “The soundtrack totally slaps.”
- “Soundtrack only has a few songs, but each one is a banger.”
- “The music is incredible and the environment looks very carefully crafted.”
- “However, if an alien dies (which again, can happen in a few seconds of light exposure), their energy capacity is reset to that of which they started with, and they're forced to go through the whole song and dance of avoiding mercs and finding eggs again until their energy capacity is up again.”
- “Solid gameplay, atmosphere, and soundtrack; both aliens and mercs are quite balanced. I do, however, hope that there will be more alien content soon and other progression as well, but it's fine, that's what early access is for, after all.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the high asking price and perceived lack of content. Many feel that the game's advertising and upgrade packs are poorly implemented and contribute to a frustrating experience, exacerbated by bugs and a low player base. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to detract from the game's potential, leaving players dissatisfied.
- “It's 350 cheaters and 50 players trying to enjoy this game, but unfortunately, the developers have abandoned it hard, and it's nothing more than a salvage cash grab.”
- “0/10 low player base, missing advertising, and lack of content are slowly killing this game.”
- “I tried to give the game a chance, but with the bugs, crashing, unstoppable cheating, horrible optimization, and overall failure, this is not an extraction shooter. It's just PvP with some very minor PvE elements. The aliens aren't even weak. When the beta was going on, it was good, but on release, it's not worth the asking price. And don't get me started on the upgrade packs; that's just a cash grab.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its diverse objectives, dynamic environments, and a variety of skins and cosmetics to unlock. However, some players note that it can become repetitive over time, particularly in certain gameplay aspects.
- “Great fun game with a lot of content and replayability with skins and cosmetics to work for.”
- “While the game offers a good amount of replayability, it does start to feel a bit repetitive after a while, especially on the alien side.”
- “Great game, for an early access game it has a lot of replayability.”
- “The variety of objectives and dynamically shifting environments ensure that no two sessions are the same, which adds immense replayability.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotional responses to the game, highlighting both frustration and enjoyment. While some feel emotionally impacted by balance changes and gameplay mechanics, others appreciate the fun elements, such as engaging with unique characters and achievements. Overall, the emotional experience is characterized by a blend of excitement and dissatisfaction, reflecting the game's evolving nature.
- “Good game, the alien is fun, the merc is hard, both are fun, emotional damage.”
- “I feel it has the potential, but I would be happier if at the very least we started with a gun, a baseline average weapon with no adaptations, but something that made me feel like I'm in a shooter with guns.”
- “They did a classic dark and darker moment, losing their minds to some random balance changes while not touching design at all.”