Escape From Tarkov is one of the most exhilarating games on the market, boasting intense PvPvE action in one of the most hardcore, challenging settings around. It’s a massive game, too – there are several large maps, a thriving in-game economy, and hundreds of tasks to complete.
With that in mind, we’re looking at the game’s value and answering an all-important question: is Escape From Tarkov free to play?
Let’s find out if you need to pay for Escape from Tarkov.
Is Escape From Tarkov Free or Will It Break The Bank?
There are few games quite as challenging as Escape From Tarkov that have left such a lasting impression on the gaming community. It was first released as a beta product in 2017, and today, it remains in such a state – but it has been expanded on several times since the first build dropped way back when.
It has its fair share of problems, such as a seemingly constant presence of cheaters in the game, but Escape From Tarkov is, for the most part, an undeniably popular and exciting game.
Unfortunately, for those asking ‘is Escape From Tarkov free to play’, the answer is no, it isn’t – there can actually be quite a hefty cost associated with the game.
When a potential player seeks out Escape From Tarkov for the first time, they’d likely be surprised to learn that it can only be bought from escapefromtarkov.com. It’s not on Steam, Epic, or any other PC-based launcher. Furthermore, for first-time players, it can be a confusing journey, as there are several packages to choose from that can become very expensive, very quickly.
There are arguments that this is a pay-to-win tiering system that rewards players who invest more money in their game.
What’s The Best Tarkov Version?
Firstly, it’s important to stress that you’re not ‘buying’ Escape From Tarkov, but ‘pre-ordering’ it. That’s what the website tells you when you first begin your purchase journey, but ignore the strange terminology, as you’re getting instant access to the full game regardless of which bundle you purchase.
This is all because the game is still in a ‘beta’ state.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best versions you can pick up to own Escape From Tarkov:
Standard Edition
- The most basic edition possible, which unfortunately restricts a player considerably
- Typically costs €39
Left Behind Edition
- The second-tier bundle for Escape From Tarkov, which still isn’t a preferable purchase
- Typically costs €65
Prepare For Escape Edition
- The second-from-best bundle in Escape From Tarkov, which is considered the bare minimum needed to fully appreciate the game from the get-go
- Typically costs €85
The Unheard Edition
- Argued to be a pay-to-win purchase, The Unheard Edition comes with boosts for in-game traders, heaps of equipment, a massive in-game stash, PvE access, better starting weapons, access to a boosted version of Tarkov Arena, access to the Early Test Server, and much more
- Typically costs €190
But which Tarkov version is best?
I’d say it’s The Unheard Edition – but only if you’re willing to pour time into the game. If you’re just testing the water, it’s a good idea to start low and work your way up. If you choose to upgrade later, you can get a discount on your purchase, which is great, but it still means you’re buying the game twice, effectively.
The Unheard Edition has stunning bonuses that make it worthwhile, provided you invest a good 1000 hours minimum into the game.
It’s worth stating that, if you’re getting involved with Escape From Tarkov as a group, one person should buy all the copies, as there’s a discount that will be applied for multiple purchases of the game taking place in the same transaction.
So, is Escape From Tarkov free? No – it’s quite expensive, and that’s why you should do your research before you get invested in the game.
Escape From Tarkov is a PC-exclusive game that was first released in 2017 and currently exists in a beta state
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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