The extraction shooter genre exploded in late 2025 and early 2026 with three major titles competing for your attention. Marathon launches March 5 from Destiny creators Bungie. Arc Raiders already proved itself with 700K concurrent players since October 2025. And Escape from Tarkov released version 1.0 after years in development.
Each game costs around $40-45, making price less important than finding the right fit for your playstyle. This guide breaks down which extraction shooter matches your preferences, skill level, and time commitment.
Quick Comparison: Marathon vs Arc Raiders vs Tarkov (Key Differences)
| Feature | Marathon | Arc Raiders | Escape from Tarkov |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | March 5, 2026 | October 30, 2025 | Version 1.0: Nov 2025 |
| Price | $40 | $40 | $45-$250 |
| Perspective | First-person | Third-person | First-person |
| Team Size | 1-3 players | 1-3 players | Solo or squads |
| Players Per Match | Up to 18 (6 teams) | 15-20 | Varies by map |
| Seasonal Wipes | Yes (every 3 months) | No | Yes (twice yearly) |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox, PC | PS5, Xbox, PC | PC only |
| Cross-play | Yes | Yes | No |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Easy-Medium | Very Hard |
| Current Players | TBD (launches March) | 480K+ Steam peak | ~30K Steam |
How Much Do Marathon, Arc Raiders, and Tarkov Cost in 2026?
All three games cost around $40-45 at entry level, but their pricing models differ significantly.
Marathon Price — $40 Upfront, Free Updates
Marathon costs $40 for the Standard Edition with full access to all content. Bungie confirmed no pay-to-win mechanics. Reward passes don’t expire, meaning you keep earned cosmetics permanently even after seasonal resets.
The Deluxe Edition adds the Midnight Decay weapon bundle and Runner shell cosmetics. Free post-launch updates include new maps, Runner shells, and seasonal events. This model mirrors Helldivers 2’s approach.
Arc Raiders Price — $40 Premium After Free-to-Play Pivot
Arc Raiders switched from free-to-play to premium during development. The $40 purchase includes 4 maps at launch with more coming in 2026. Cross-progression works across all platforms.
Optional battle passes cost $6 per season. With 12 million copies sold and 480K+ concurrent Steam players in January 2026, the value proposition is proven. Players consistently praise the content-to-price ratio.
Escape from Tarkov Price — $45 to $250 Edition Tiers
Tarkov offers multiple editions that affect your gameplay experience:
- Standard Edition ($45): Small stash space, basic starting gear
- Prepare for Escape ($70): Larger stash, better initial equipment
- Edge of Darkness ($250): Maximum stash size, gamma container, other advantages
Higher-priced editions provide measurable gameplay benefits through increased storage space, which directly impacts profit potential per raid. The community debates whether this constitutes pay-to-win. Arena mode sells separately.
Winner for Value: Arc Raiders offers proven content with active playerbase. Marathon promises fair pricing without advantage purchases.
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First-Person vs Third-Person: Which Perspective is Better for Extraction Shooters?
Perspective fundamentally changes how you play extraction shooters.
Marathon — Bungie’s First-Person Shooter DNA
Marathon brings Destiny-style gunplay to the extraction genre. Seven Runner shells offer distinct playstyles:
- Destroyer: Tank with riot shield and missile volleys
- Assassin: Stealth specialist with invisibility and smoke
- Recon: Intel gatherer with tracking drones and enemy marking
- Vandal: Movement expert with double jump and knockback cannon
- Thief: Loot specialist with grappling hook and pickpocket drone
- Triage: Combat medic with healing drones and revive abilities
- Rook: Solo-only shell for risk-free scavenging in ongoing matches
Each shell can be customized with Cores (shell-specific modifications) and Implants (universal upgrades). For example, Vandal’s double jump becomes triple jump with the right Core. Thief’s grapple hook recharges faster when carrying more loot.
Up to six three-player teams (18 players maximum) compete in 30-minute raids across four zones plus the Cryo Archive endgame. Proximity chat enables alliances and betrayals. Solo queue option exists but places you at competitive disadvantage.
Arc Raiders — Third-Person Tactical Advantage
Third-person perspective gives you situational awareness that first-person can’t match. You see around corners, over cover, and spot threats earlier.
15-20 players drop into post-apocalyptic Italy where ARC machines present genuine PvE threats alongside human opponents. The 50/50 PvPvE balance means AI enemies carry equal weight to player encounters.
Crafting and workshop upgrades provide permanent progression. Players often cooperate against bots before turning on each other. The third-person view makes these dynamic situations more manageable for newer players.
Escape from Tarkov — Hardcore First-Person Realism
Tarkov simulates combat with brutal realism. Ballistics model armor penetration accurately. Medical system tracks bleeds, fractures, and pain separately. You manage stamina, weight, and nutrition.
Hundreds of guns support deep modding. Multiple maps offer different playstyles and raid durations (20-45 minutes). The version 1.0 update in November 2025 added PvE raids where progress persists.
But this complexity comes with consequences. No tutorials exist in-game. You’ll die repeatedly learning map layouts. The flea market unlocks only after leveling. Wiki research becomes mandatory.
Winner: Personal preference drives this choice. FPS enthusiasts lean toward Marathon and Tarkov. Players valuing tactical awareness prefer Arc Raiders.
Which Extraction Shooter is Easiest for Beginners in 2026?
Marathon Beginner-Friendliness — Medium Difficulty
Marathon targets the middle ground between accessibility and depth. Alpha feedback revealed cluttered UI, but Bungie spent six months fixing these issues after delaying from September 2025 to March 2026.
The Perimeter zone accommodates beginners. Rook shell lets you scavenge risk-free with starting gear only. Bungie’s tutorial reputation from Destiny suggests smooth onboarding.
However, concerns exist about thin launch content. Only 4 maps confirmed at release. Cross-play matchmaking should keep queues fast, but lack of content depth worries some preview outlets.
Arc Raiders for New Players — Best Learning Curve
Arc Raiders dominates the beginner experience:
- 87% positive Steam reviews (as of January 2026)
- Clear mechanics explanations and strong tutorials
- Third-person view reduces ambush deaths
- Workshop progression feels immediately rewarding
- 480K+ Steam concurrent players = instant matchmaking
- Community actively helps newcomers
The game’s success stems partly from accessibility. Players who tried it expecting a quick laugh found themselves returning daily. Third-person perspective gives you time to react and learn positioning without dying to unseen threats.
Tarkov for Beginners — Brutal Learning Experience
Tarkov earned its hardcore reputation honestly. 59% mixed Steam reviews (46% player score) reflect the brutal entry barrier.
No tutorials. No hand-holding. You’ll die constantly while learning map layouts. Weapon modding overwhelms with hundreds of options. Flea market access locks behind level requirements. You’ll spend as much time reading wikis as playing.
The veteran community expects this difficulty. Many players consider the punishment part of Tarkov’s appeal. But if you have limited gaming time or prefer learning through play rather than external research, Tarkov will frustrate you.
Winner: Arc Raiders by a landslide. Marathon aims for medium difficulty. Tarkov punishes beginners without mercy.
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Player Count Comparison: Which Game Has the Most Active Players?
Player numbers indicate community health and matchmaking speed.
The game peaked at 3.2 million active players on January 4, 2026, accounting for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S combined. Numbers actually increased after launch rather than declining like most releases. Strong Twitch presence maintains visibility. The community's size ensures you'll always find matches quickly.
Insider Gaming estimates approximately 100,000 concurrent players across all platforms when accounting for the Battlestate launcher. The community is mature and dedicated since Tarkov launched in 2017, but actual numbers stay private. Matchmaking typically takes 2-5 minutes. The hardcore playerbase remains stable but smaller than Arc Raiders.
Preview coverage calls launch content "thin" with only 4 confirmed zones. Whether Marathon can compete with Arc Raiders' proven success remains the biggest question mark.
Winner: Arc Raiders has demonstrated sustained community growth. Tarkov maintains a dedicated niche. Marathon enters an already-crowded market.
Do These Games Wipe Your Progress? Understanding Seasonal Resets
Seasonal wipes remain controversial in extraction shooters. Marathon wipes all progress every season. New zones, weapons, and events arrive with each three-month cycle. Reward passes don’t expire, so cosmetics carry forward. Bungie’s philosophy: everyone starts equal each season. Similar to Path of Exile’s successful model. Major concern: Does this alienate casual players who spent $40? Hundreds of hours of progression disappear quarterly. This works for free-to-play games but may frustrate premium purchasers with limited time.
Arc Raiders respects your time investment. No seasonal resets exist. Workshop upgrades stay permanent. Seasonal content adds to existing systems rather than replacing them. Only Trials competitive leaderboards reset seasonally. Everything else persists. Best model for players with jobs, families, or limited gaming time. You’re never racing against a wipe deadline.
Tarkov plans approximately two seasons annually in 2026. Major patches wipe player progress to reset the economy and introduce seasonal modifiers. The veteran community expects and often enjoys wipes. Fresh economies create excitement. Everyone scrambles for advantage simultaneously. PvE mode preserves progress if you prefer persistent advancement. But competitive PvP modes embrace the wipe cycle.
Winner: Arc Raiders for casual players and anyone valuing time investment. Wipes work for hardcore players who enjoy fresh starts.
PvP vs PvE Balance: What Are You Actually Fighting?
The ratio between player combat and AI threats differs dramatically.
Six three-player teams (18 players maximum) create constant PvP tension. Proximity chat adds social dynamics—temporary alliances, betrayals, negotiations under fire.
Cryo Archive endgame zone offers raid-like PvE content in Season 1. But Marathon's core identity centers on competitive extraction.
15-20 human players per map ensure PvP stays relevant. But players frequently cooperate against bots before engaging each other. The post-apocalyptic Italy setting emphasizes humanity's struggle against machines.
PvE carries equal importance to PvP. Some matches end with zero player kills but successful loot extraction from AI-controlled areas.
The version 1.0 update added PvE mode where progress persists between raids. Scav Life DLC arrives in 2026. But competitive Tarkov remains PvP-focused with occasional AI interference.
Winner: Arc Raiders for balanced PvPvE. Marathon and Tarkov cater to players seeking intense PvP with AI garnish.
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Content at Launch: How Much Can You Actually Play?
Marathon launches with 4 zones and promises free updates, but GameSpot’s hands-on preview noted concerns about “thin content.” Only four maps at launch seems limited compared to competitors. Bungie’s track record with Destiny suggests strong post-launch support, but you’re buying based on promises rather than proven delivery.
Arc Raiders already demonstrated its content pipeline with 11 major patches since October 2025. January 2026 saw the Cold Snap update add substantial content. Players trust Embark Studios to deliver based on proven track record. The difference? Arc Raiders shows rather than tells.
Tarkov wins on sheer volume with 10+ maps and hundreds of weapons accumulated since 2017. New 2026 maps include Icebreaker and End of Line, plus Scav Life DLC upcoming. But this content accumulated over nearly a decade. New players face overwhelming systems and knowledge requirements. The content depth becomes a barrier rather than benefit for beginners.
Winner: Tarkov for volume. Arc Raiders for polish and proven updates. Marathon unproven until March launch.
Which Extraction Shooter Should You Buy in 2026?
Choose Marathon if:
- You trust Bungie’s FPS legacy (Halo, Destiny)
- You want competitive PvP-focused extraction
- You’re okay with seasonal progress resets every 3 months
- You play on console (PS5/Xbox)
- You’re willing to wait for post-launch content
- Destiny’s gunplay style appeals to you
Choose Arc Raiders if:
- You’re new to extraction shooters
- You want third-person perspective
- You prefer permanent progression (no wipes)
- You want proven community (480K+ concurrent players)
- You value balanced PvPvE gameplay
- You have limited gaming time
- You want the safest purchase with demonstrated value
Choose Escape from Tarkov if:
- You crave hardcore realism and complexity
- You have time to master steep learning curve
- You want hundreds of weapons to customize
- You’re PC-only player
- You enjoy high-stakes tension and punishment
- You’re willing to read wikis and guides
- You prefer games that don’t hold your hand
Final Verdict: Best Extraction Shooter in 2026
Marathon launches March 5 into a crowded extraction shooter market. Arc Raiders already proved the genre can succeed with accessibility, selling 12 million copies and maintaining 480K+ concurrent Steam players. Tarkov remains the hardcore veteran’s choice with years of accumulated content.
For most players: Arc Raiders offers the best balance of accessibility, polish, and proven player base. The permanent progression respects your time investment. The third-person perspective reduces frustration for extraction shooter newcomers.
For Bungie fans: Marathon shows promise with excellent gunplay and Runner shell variety. But wait for launch reviews given thin content concerns and troubled development history. The $40 entry price matches competitors, but unproven post-launch support creates uncertainty.
For hardcore players: Tarkov delivers unmatched realism and depth despite brutal difficulty. If you enjoy games that punish mistakes and reward mastery, Tarkov remains the gold standard. Just accept you’ll spend significant time learning outside the game.
The extraction shooter genre thrives in 2026 with quality options for different audiences. Your choice depends on whether you value proven success (Arc Raiders), legacy potential (Marathon), or hardcore brutality (Tarkov).
All three games cost $40-45 at entry level. Price matters less than finding the right match for your playstyle and available time.
