Summary
TheEscape from Tarkovcommunity is in an uproar over the newly released Unheard Edition that costs $250 and includes upgrades that many are calling pay-to-win. AlthoughEscape from Tarkovhas been regarded as one of the best survival FPS games for years now, its popularity among fans has taken some hits in recent months.
Back in February,Escape from Tarkovimplemented microtransactionsfor the first time by allowing players to run offline raids with friends for $10 and later providing players with more stash space with each extra storage line costing about $1.50. Although many were not happy to see microtransactions finally arrive inEscape from Tarkov, these additions weren’t incredibly controversial due to them not offering egregious pay-to-win advantages. However, that seems to have just changed.
Developer Battlestate Games recently revealed its newest update forEscape from Tarkovthat makes various in-game changes. Included in the patch notes were details of the Unheard Edition, which is now available. The $250 premium version increases the starting level of character skills after a wipe, enhances stash size and pocket space, provides an AI scav bonus if the user has six or more reputation levels with Fence, and gives exclusive access to a new PvE co-op mode. This mode is one of the main sources of frustration since the previously released Edge of Darkness premium edition claimed to give owners access to all future DLC. However, Edge of Darkness owners have to upgrade to the Unheard Edition to play the new mode.
Escape from Tarkov Releases $250 Unheard Edition With Controversial Features
Escape from Tarkov’s lead community manager has responded to these complaints by saying that the new mode is not DLC but is instead classified as a unique feature of the new edition. It could be argued that most definitions of whatis and isn’t DLCwould categorize the mode as such, but Battlestate is standing by its approach.
It’s unclear whether Battlestate is considering adjusting some of the Unheard Edition’s most controversial aspects, as many EoD owners are calling for the new PvE mode to be made available to them. But despite the recent drama,Escape from Tarkovcould very well remain as one of thebest FPS survival gamesthanks to its addictive format and deep gameplay.
Battlestate recentlylaunchedEscape from Tarkov: Arena, a standalone PvP game, after its reveal back in 2022. WhileTarkov: Arenahasn’t become much of a hit yet, Battlestate recently shared a roadmap for the game that includes a new mode, synchronization with regularEscape from Tarkovaccounts, and other improvements.
Escape from Tarkov
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Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore and realistic online first-person action RPG/Simulator with MMO features and a story-driven walkthrough. With each passing day the situation in the Norvinsk region grows more and more complicated. Incessant warfare in Tarkov has sparked massive panic; the local population has fled the city, but those who stayed are looking to improve their fortunes at the expense of others. Having accepted the new reality, savage Tarkov locals - “Scavs” flocked into well-armed gangs and started the redivision of the city. Nowadays, Tarkov is separated by unseen borders, controlled by different groups. Gain-greedy gunmen would go to any length to have their way, including the murder of civilians and direct confrontation with the two private military companies. The players will have to experience living in the skin of one of the mercenaries who survived the initial stage of the Tarkov conflict. After choosing one of the sides – USEC or BEAR – the player’s character starts to make his way out of the city. Tarkov is sealed off by UN and Russian military, supply chains are cut, communication with operational command is lost, and in these conditions everyone has to make his own choices of what to do and how to get out of the chaos-ridden metropolis.
