Gamers, if you are anything like me, you cannot wait for Level Zero: Extraction to finally come out. You know the type of game: it’s been shrouded with so much hype since its announcement, and it’s finally closing in on the release date. Before getting into the juicy details, let’s go ahead and address the big news first: the Early Access release date has been pushed back. Don’t worry; it’s a slight delay and will be worth the wait.
The New Release Date
Level Zero: Extraction, initially set to drop on August 6, 2024, will officially launch on August 13, 2024. The folks over at Dog Howl announced this last Saturday, and although it is just a bit of a bummer, it’s for a good reason. They want to ensure the game gets the attention it deserves right amidst significant game updates and alpha tests. Although it’s a week longer, it will be one heck of a launch.
What is Level Zero: Extraction?
Let’s get into what makes Level Zero: Extraction so special. In development, this multiplayer extraction horror game will combine the high-octane action of a PvP shooter with the nail-biting suspense of survival horror. If you ever wanted to have a game where you could be both the hunter and the hunted, then this will be it.
Now, here’s the scoop on the two gameplay modes:
Mercenary Mode
You take on the role of an experienced merc who must infiltrate hostile areas, scavenge helpful equipment, and survive to tell your tale. Easy-peasy, right? Not quite. You will be fighting off other merc groups and—yes—those nightmares of alien beasts from the dark. It would help if you outclassed others in teamwork, strategy, and quick reflexes to survive. It is not just about looting but surviving the chaos and making extraction successfully.
Alien Monster Mode
In this mode, you will play the alien creature that searches for its prey to hunt. Your unique abilities enable you to stalk, ambush, and kill human mercenaries. Playing as the alien puts one in a different perspective: you will focus on stealth, terror, and raw power when hunting down your prey. You would want to take advantage of the fun of being the monster, hence wreaking havoc.
The Open Beta
Even before Early Access is released, you can get a feel for Level Zero: Extraction with the open beta, now live on Steam. This was a surprise reveal at the PC Gaming Show, and really, it’s all about you experiencing the game firsthand.
I had the chance to taste the closed beta a while ago, and boy, it was something else. If you have played anything like Escape From Tarkov or Alien, you’d think the game was much alike but refreshingly new. It’s as if these two genres had a baby, and it is everything one would be looking for.
In the beta, experience what having a poundingly fast heartbeat feels like when sweeping through locations infested with aliens, killing other players, or dealing with a constant alien monster threat. The environment is full of tight corridors and eerie settings that tense the atmosphere. PvP fighting comes across as brutal, with a lethality that will keep you on your toes.
As for aliens, well, they are no walk in the park. The creatures are hardy, and you must utilize light sources such as flares or torches—the environment itself, really—to ward them off. They respawn until all human players have either died or extracted successfully, which could get on your nerves. Then there’s playing as an alien; you get to make good on your different skills by stalking and scaring the human players, which opens up a whole new level of excitement in the game.
What’s Next for Level Zero: Extraction?
Now that the open beta is out, Doghowl is keen on refining and perfecting the game before the Early Access launch. It is still being polished, but the base is already solid. I hope this game is the next big thing in the extraction genre. Base mechanics are fantastic, and I can’t wait to see how they build upon these as we lead up to the full release.
Summary
Though the launch constitutes a slight delay, it is all about giving the best launch to the game. In the meantime, jump into the open beta on Steam and get a head start on what will surely be an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Stay tuned for updates and prepare to gear up to become one of the most exciting releases this year. Be it stalking as a merc or hunting as an alien, Level Zero: Extraction is about to bring in its thrills, chills, and moments you will never forget. See you in-game!
