HardwareFreaks

Tag: Extraction shooter

  • Far Cry 7 Secrets Revealed by Ubisoft Leak

    The wait for the next installment in the Far Cry series has stretched into an eternity, especially since the last entry arrived in 2021. As Ubisoft gears up to launch what is rumored to be Far Cry 7, the massive open-world franchise faces a critical juncture, with whispers suggesting a dramatic shift in gameplay philosophy.

    While official details remain tightly guarded, industry insiders are pointing toward an intriguing possibility: drawing inspiration from the intense mechanics of extraction shooters. This speculation has ignited buzz around project Blackbird and suggests that Far Cry 7 may move beyond traditional tactical gameplay into high-stakes survival scenarios.

    The idea is not just a change of scenery; it hints at a completely redefined player experience. One theory floating around the development sphere posits that the new title will feature a “High-stakes PvEvP scavenge and extract survival loop,” demanding much more from players than previous entries.

    This rumored shift isn’t isolated to Far Cry 7, however. It seems Ubisoft is simultaneously developing other projects, including a multiplayer extraction shooter spin-off, suggesting a broader exploration of this genre within the company’s portfolio.

    If these concepts translate into the main narrative, we can anticipate some concrete mechanics that will reshape how players engage with the world. Leaked details suggest incorporating time-limit mechanics, requiring players to rescue up to six family members across challenging territories, and establishing dedicated safehouses for respite amidst the chaos.

    Furthermore, resource management will be central to the experience, with weapon durability becoming a core mechanic that forces careful engagement rather than reckless combat. The environment itself is also slated to feature formidable fauna, including grizzly bears, wolves, foxes, and deer, adding layers of natural threat to the survival narrative.

    While some might question why an extraction focus would be necessary in a story-driven series like Far Cry, the presence of these elements signals Ubisoft’s willingness to experiment. It seems the development team is taking things back to the drawing board, aiming to inject fresh tension and new gameplay dimensions into their flagship franchise.

    The future direction of Far Cry 7 remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: expect a game that pushes boundaries. It will be fascinating to see how Ubisoft blends its signature atmosphere with these high-octane survival mechanics in the final product.

    Credit: KitGuru

  • Halo’s ‘Project Ekur’ is reportedly no longer an extraction shooter

    Halo’s future is evolving faster than a Spartan rush, and the road ahead for the franchise is taking some seriously interesting turns. The world of Halo has been buzzing with rumors about what comes next, but recent developments regarding Project Ekur have provided a clearer, more exciting picture of where things are headed.

    While Halo Campaign Evolved successfully brought Master Chief back to the forefront as a campaign-only experience, the focus quickly shifted to mainline multiplayer and large-scale concepts. One such ambitious project was Project Ekur, which began its journey as a Battle Royale concept known initially as Project Tatanka.

    Over time, this concept underwent significant metamorphosis. It started with Battle Royale ambitions, then evolved into an extraction shooter format. However, the most recent updates reveal a much grander vision for the game.

    The creative team behind Ekur has shifted gears entirely. Certain Affinity is no longer involved; the reins have passed to Halo Studios, giving the project direct oversight following their prototype work.

    Technologically, the foundation of Project Ekur has also seen a major upgrade. The development team successfully transitioned away from the original SlipSpace Engine and adopted the much more powerful Unreal Engine 5, completing this transfer as recently as September 2023.

    This technical shift is mirrored by a change in gameplay philosophy. Ekur is no longer strictly an extraction shooter. Instead, it is being shaped into what sounds like a “super big-team-battle idea”. Players will be dropped into the environment to explore, gather resources, and engage other teams, lending itself to a more expansive feel that echoes elements of Halo 5’s Warzone mode.

    So, Project Ekur has clearly been a laboratory for testing various concepts, refining its identity through intense prototyping. While the final look and feel remain to be seen, the movement toward a large-scale team experience suggests an exciting formula is taking shape—one that promises to appeal equally to long-time Halo fans and newcomers alike.

    Credit: KitGuru

  • Marathon to get its first PvE game mode: ‘Vault Breaker’ next month

    When Bungie launched Marathon, it established itself as a compelling PvP extraction shooter, achieving a solid start with millions of copies sold. But even as the game gained traction, some players felt a nagging absence: a dedicated PvE experience. This gap often made the barrier to entry feel higher for those who preferred a more varied gameplay loop.

    Recognizing this desire for deeper engagement, Bungie has been busy plotting an evolution for the game. They are determined to blend the intense, competitive action of extraction with cooperative exploration, and the roadmap is clearly being drawn for significant additions in upcoming seasons.

    The first concrete step toward fulfilling this promise is set to hit the scene next month in the form of a brand new mode: Vault Breaker. This experimental PvE experience promises to open up entirely new avenues for players, moving beyond the confines of pure combat and into the mysteries of the Cryo Archive.

    In Vault Breaker, players will take on the role of a crew, duo, or solo explorer, navigating a progressively challenging series of vaults. The goal is not just survival, but progression—growing stronger across multiple matches and pushing toward the final vault and the mysterious entity within. To make these expeditions viable, players must first acquire a special Sponsored Kit to queue up for the challenge.

    The system cleverly ties exploration back into the core gameplay loop. Any gear or items found during an expedition remain with the player when they exfil, ensuring that discoveries translate directly into power. Furthermore, players will earn Vault Data upon successful extraction, a valuable currency that can be exchanged for upgrades to their Vault Breaker Kits and access to gear usable in other modes.

    Beyond this exciting new mode, the ongoing updates signal a commitment to refining the core experience. The upcoming Season 2.5 will introduce enhancements to Marathon’s Cradle Evolution system, offering players a form of prestige alongside tangible benefits like higher maximum energy points and appealing cosmetic rewards.

    Looking ahead, the development continues with Season 3 on the horizon. Scheduled for launch on September 22nd, this next major update promises a fresh injection of content, featuring a revamp of Perimeter, a new Runner shell, and further additions to weapons and equipment, ensuring that Marathon remains a dynamic and evolving world.

    Credit: KitGuru

  • After a delay in 2025 and two delays this year (plus two more short delays this morning) mech fortress-builder Sand has finally launched

    Picture a colossal metal beast traversing endless sand dunes, its mechanical legs crunching through alien terrain. This is the promise of Sand: Raiders of Sophie, a PvPvE extraction shooter where players pilot massive walking bases across desolate desert landscapes, battling both rivals and their own mechanized forces.

    The journey to bringing this epic concept to the PC market has proven to be less a smooth trek and more an elaborate odyssey through scheduling mishaps. From its inception, the development team faced a winding road, adjusting launch targets multiple times, leading fans down a veritable rabbit hole of waiting.

    Early aspirations for an early access launch were put on hold last year, forcing developers to recalibrate their entire vision. This pivot led to plans for a full release in March 2026, but even that timeline proved too elusive. The clock kept ticking, and the game’s release date shifted yet again.

    As the final few days of March approached, the target was adjusted once more, aiming for a new window in June. Just as anticipation reached a fever pitch, the process took an unexpected turn: on the day before the revised launch date, another adjustment was necessary. The game swung back, settling into a final destination date.

    This relentless shuffling is a testament to the complexity of building such a massive experience. While fans watched with bated breath, the team behind Sand: Raiders of Sophie navigated these shifts, ensuring that when the final moment arrived, the product was ready.

    The actual launch on Steam finally materialized on June 22nd. It wasn’t without its drama; as eager players waited for the start, a short countdown system—first ten minutes, then an extended twenty-minute anticipation—framed the moment of release. And when the dust settled, the game was out.

    Despite the logistical marathon, the effort resulted in a released title that brings those giant metal beasts to life on the PC, offering players the chance to stomp through alien deserts and engage in epic conflict. For those who waited, the adventure finally begins.

    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Sand: Raiders of Sophie is like Sea of Thieves on land, but even tougher for solo players

    When you think of open-world adventure, you usually picture sailing through exotic waters or exploring ancient ruins. But what if the ultimate frontier was built by your own hands? The new first-person base-building extraction shooter, Sand, throws that expectation out the window and delivers a uniquely chaotic experience where ingenuity meets explosive mayhem.

    From the moment you launch into the game, you realize this isn’t just about running; it’s about engineering. Forget simply respawning after a hit—here, if your vehicle is destroyed, you must stop and rebuild. The star of the show is the walking base, or trampler, which serves as your mobile fortress across the harsh desert dunes.

    Before you can even consider embarking on a mission into outer space, you must prepare your trampler. You snap together modules to construct your base before you can even start preparing for battle. Then comes the engineering challenge: mounting massive weaponry like 40mm and 80mm cannons, installing an engine, and fiddling with giant levers to control your behemoth. It’s a blend of tactical planning and hands-on mechanics reminiscent of driving a colossal spider-mech in a wild adventure.

    The gameplay quickly shifts from construction to high-octane piloting. Navigating the environment means constantly scanning the horizon for lootable spots while attempting to manage your heavy machinery. The experience is defined by that thrilling, nervous tension: you must constantly move, scurry across the sand on foot during looting runs, terrified another player’s trampler might stride up and turn your base into scrap.

    This feeling of uneasy paranoia echoes the best parts of cooperative survival games, adding a layer of frantic energy to every interaction. When combat erupts, it is pure, glorious chaos. You have to dive into the cockpit, frantically reloading guns, aiming turrets, and desperately repairing damage while ensuring your walking vehicle doesn’t crash into the next obstacle. It is sheer, adrenaline-fueled maneuvering.

    The immersion deepens through exceptional audio design. The soundscape is visceral—the groaning of gears, the jangling of cables, and the deafening roar of mounted artillery all contribute to a truly immersive sensation of being a colossal war machine. You don’t just see the action; you feel the weight and fury of your trampler lurching across the landscape.

    The threats are multifaceted. Beyond player-built rivals, players must contend with environmental dangers and automated enemies. Ghoul-like NPCs guard valuable loot, while more devastatingly, orbital automatons begin to stamp around the planet, bringing artillery fire from above. This PvE element adds a truly harrowing dimension to the exploration.

    The ultimate objective is extraction—a dramatic climax where combat shifts into a desperate race against time. You must navigate to an extraction point, climb a tower, and wait for a ship to descend from orbit. In this moment of vulnerability, you face the enemy’s organized assault as they try to blow your retreat to hell.

    While the experience is intensely tense, there is a commendable design choice allowing solo players to join solos-only servers, mitigating the risk of being overwhelmed by larger crews. Sand offers a genuinely unique blend of creative construction, visceral mech combat, and high-stakes extraction, promising an unforgettable adventure for anyone ready to build their own destiny on the shifting sands.

    Buy on Amazon

    Credit: PC Gamer