Escape from Duckov was covered by Codi back in October. However, I missed the boat, and I’m finally up to speed with this big-selling indie title. Sadly, it has currently taken a big hit on Steam due to a modding community complaint. I’m not here to get into that, but I think the negative reviews don’t reflect the game, but a political battle. Accordingly, I recommend testing this before you look at the Steam user reviews.
Developed by Team Soda and published by bilibili, this is a single-player extraction shooter. It is a parody of Escape from Tarkov, but thankfully, it isn’t as difficult, and the learning curve is much shallower. Additionally, although it is a grind, the colourful ducks, interesting quests, and array of weaponry keep you interested throughout.
Build a spaceship and Escape from Duckov.
The story isn’t complex or compelling. Instead, it is a bit tongue-in-cheek as it rarely takes itself seriously. As you work through the silly moments, you realise that your duck prisoner is in trouble. He/she/they are stuck on a planet that is going to explode. Consequently, they must find resources, fight marauding ducks, and build a spaceship to get the heck out of dodge. This is easier said than done, as death and a large map stand in your way.
It isn’t just the guarantee of death that holds you back. There are survival mechanics, inventory management, duck upgrades, and an array of weapons to change your tactical approach. If this isn’t enough, you must complete a long list of quests if you are to find the toughest of items and raise much-needed funds. Subsequently, there are plenty of balls to juggle as you work through each area.
Improvements.
At first, your duck is relatively weak and is likely to fail repeatedly. I admit that this was frustrating, and I was desperate to get out of this early game loop. This grindy approach needed a multiplayer option to reduce stress and repetition. However, this wasn’t to be, and gamers must work through the grind to make it to the interesting moments.
New weapons, improved base elements, and better skills await anyone who is patient enough to keep working. The large list of weapons and increasingly tough duck foes was enough to keep me focused. Moreover, the list of resources and interesting quests kept me waddling along and killing and looting anything in sight.
Escape from Duckov looks great.
Escape from Duckov is a dark and sombre game that will make your heart sink. Yet, visually, it is colourful, interesting, and a joy to look at. Each marauding duck is a joy to encounter, and I love the cone of vision viewpoint. This adds suspense and danger to every expedition. Although your bunker doesn’t start as much, it quickly becomes the hub of your world, and the new areas and workspaces make exploration much more enjoyable.
The audio is fantastic. The ambient sounds add drama to the cruel atmosphere. The sound of weapons firing and the noise of unseen enemies keep you on your toes. It is this continuous soundscape that haunts you as you crawl through bushes, raid buildings, and avoid detection.
No controller support.
Now, this may be controversial, but there is no support for a gamepad. I know I should be better with a mouse and keyboard, but I’m not. Consequently, the learning curve was a little steep. However, if you are familiar with a mouse and keyboard, you’ll love the incredible UI and the responsive inputs.
Replay value is a bit hit and miss. The grind and almost certain death will put some people off. Additionally, it takes a while to hit the mid to end game point. The lack of multiplayer options compounds this. Had Escape from Duckov had this option, it would have been much more appealing.
Escape from Duckov is a great indie title.
I have pointed out some minor complaints throughout this review, but they are very small issues. Escape from Duckov is a great indie extraction shooter that will go from strength to strength. I loved the quests, the balanced survival mechanics, and the arsenal of weapons. Additionally, it is easy to lose time as you search for resources or go on a duck-killing spree. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here. Can you build a spaceship and escape? Loot resources, complete every quest, and escape from Duckov!
