
TL;DR
- Escape From Duckov is a single-player extraction title without PvP.
- The game was released on October 16 and is available on PC and Mac.
- At the time of writing, Duckov is fifth in Steam’s most played games list.
- Escape from Duckov developer Team Soda has reported more than 500,000 game sales.
So who saw Escape From Duckov coming? Not me, being wrapped in the hype for Battlefield 6, the intrigue of Arc Raiders, and pondering Black Ops 7’s arrival. But Escape From Duckov, a wonderfully named extraction title, has arrived and landed in Steam’s top five most played games.
How did we get here? And what does the future hold for this fun game from developers Team Soda? If the opening to this article feels like a random fever dream, stay with me. We will dive into Duckov, what it’s doing well, how it’s standing out, and what you need to know about this fresh breath of gaming air.
What is Escape from Duckov?

Escape From Duckov calls itself a PvE indie survival RPG. But, considering the game’s core element involves your duck character scavenging for resources to create a hideout and upgrade gear, it’s also an extraction title. So what if your character is waterfowl and not human? Released on October 16, this looter shooter is all about solo-duck progression.
That’s right, whereas titles like EFT and Arc Raiders are PvEvP, Duckov doesn’t worry itself with the threat of other players. Instead, you can enjoy surviving the isometric, top-down, egg-shaped world (no, really), battling against hostile ducks to find precious loot and rise to victory. Who needs proximity chat? And even better is that it’s available for $16.
That’s less than half the price of the standard Edition of Arc Raiders and Escape From Tarkov, and Duckov is a diminutive install, too. It’s barely over 2GB, and runs on PC and Mac, making it an easy and fun alternative to pick up. That’s not to say there isn’t a challenge here, though, as a selection of difficulty settings is available.
Duckov’s initial success

A game with a derivative name based on ducks isn’t the most likely candidate for a standout indie title, but here we are. Duckov has sold more than 500,000 copies, and at the time of writing, it has a current player total of 154,835. That’s higher than the equivalent player count for free FPS standout, Delta Force, and more than double, for example, Apex Legends.
These numbers are why the title has rocketed to fifth on Steam’s most played list. And with its mix of cutesy charm and challenging scavenger-based fun, its peak player number so far is 185,000. That’s more than Rust, Stardew Valley, Team Fortress 2, and Megabonk.
It’s fair to say that Duckov’s release has been pretty successful, but it’s not just doing well with people playing. According to Twitchtracker, Duckov is the 61st most-watched game on Twitch in the last seven days. That places it just ahead of Silent Hill F for people tuning in. That’s not too shabby.
These numbers, and the sudden arrival of a title that doesn’t care for PvP or much seriousness, are just wonderful. As we head toward the holidays, nestled between triple-A and premium releases vying for gamers’ attentions, here is a game about Ducks and looting. So if you want to turn off from more realistic gaming, Duckov feels like a palate cleanser.
No PvP, no worries

For a hobby that is all about escapism, gaming loves player-to-player connection. That’s well and good, but if player connection is via fired weapons, it can become a lot…quite quickly. As mentioned, Escape from Duckov isn’t PvP even a little bit. And the developers don’t show any signs of wanting to implement it. Frankly, I applaud that.
For a title being called a ‘Tarkov parody’, and with PvP part and parcel of EFT, Duckov is happy with its lot. Sometimes, a cutesy, duck-themed game away from the hubbub of humanity is all you need to enjoy yourself, eh? Well, having briefly jumped into Duckov, I can certainly see it being a ‘down-time’ title aside from Arc Raiders or Battlefield 6.
Does it have the longevity, though? It’s tricky to quantify. Team Soda hasn’t released a roadmap for Duckov just yet. Additionally, although players have voiced interest in a co-op mode for friendly ducklings to join, it’s currently just a hope. There will undoubtedly be improvements and updates in the future, and hopefully, half a million Steam sales will help.
A golden goose?

Where does Duckov go from here? Overnight sales success can quickly dwindle, and momentum is lost if gamers find themselves without new content or a community of like-minded souls. The initial reviews for Escape From Duckov show as Overwhelmingly Positive, and thousands have been watching on Twitch, both of which are great.
Currently, the title stands out from a pack of extraction-themed alternatives. There’s also no doubt that its no-compromise, light-hearted duck-ness could be a long-standing pull. For gamers (16+), enjoying gaming away from tactical realism, destructive scenery, and human-themed dystopias may stay refreshing. I’ve certainly found it so initially.
So what next? If Duckov can continue to attract and engage gamers, wouldn’t it be great to see it hit a million sales? I don’t want to jinx it, but it feels possible. Self-powered gaming promotion requires word of mouth and content creator adoption, too. Neither is guaranteed, and we may see in a month or so if Duckov’s Steam position is migratory.
Conclusion
Escape From Duckov is a fun, refreshing, and self-aware Duck-themed extraction, looter-shooter. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it doesn’t include PvP or co-op. That could be a nice salve if you want something away from other extraction titles or shooters, and it’s not too pricey or space-sapping either.
What the future holds for Duckov is uncertain. However, Team Soda deserves credit for its success and will surely want to bring new content to payers. For now, though, scavenging a disaster-struck world for the chance to thrive and get out alive is about as much duck-based gaming fun this writer can think of.
FAQs
Is Escape From Duckov single-player?
Yes, Escape From Duckov is a single-player extraction looter shooter. Although co-op has been a suggested feature from players, there are currently no plans for it to be included.
How long is Escape From Duckov?
Estimates suggest there are 50+ hours of content available in Escape from Duckov.
Is Escape from Duckov a game?
Yes, more than a derivative title, Escape From Duckov is a game. It’s available for PC and Mac, and costs around $16.
The post Escape From Duckov making Steam’s top five is a delight, but can it last? appeared first on Esports Insider.