What we learned from the PUBG: Black Budget closed alpha

Krafton is steadily making its move in the extraction shooter space, with a PUBG: Black Budget closed alpha now revealing far more than previous leaks. Even better, there’s no NDA for the participants, meaning that the information is free to share and discuss in public, potentially generating further interest.

We’ve had the opportunity to jump in and see exactly what the early build offers, and we’ve uncovered some interesting comparisons to current titles. What’s certain is that there’s time for Black Budget to evolve and be a polished option for extraction fans. What’s also clear is that Arc Raiders players may not be keen to swap en masse upon Black Budget’s release.

The concept of extraction titles isn’t necessarily tied to the FPS genre. However, while Tom Clancy’s The Division is often cited as an early example, Escape From Tarkov is largely credited with popularising the genre. Black Budget certainly feels more akin to Tarkov, too, not least because it’s a first-person title with militaristic leanings.

So yes, while the inevitable Black Budget and Arc Raiders conversation exists, Black Budget’s near-future military style will resonate far more with fans of EFT (or Arena Breakout). Particularly, current gunplay feels more mil-sim focused, and movement is a simpler FPS style. It’s heavily tied to your contractor’s stamina and lacks slides and parkour.

Further EFT or Breakout familiarity arises when building out your base, managing your inventory, and picking up contracts. These feel like standard extraction fare, which may be unavoidable or in place for familiarity. There’s certainly a more focused vibe in playing the Black Budget alpha than the more adventure-like frivolity of Arc Raiders.

Perhaps the most interesting element of Black Budget at this stage, though, is its setting and backstory. A top-secret facility, funded by a black budget initiative on a former military island, is stuck in a time loop in 2002. As such, the secrets of Coli Island’s research are lost. That is, except for contractors who can deploy and extract back to 2033 before an ‘Anomaly’ returns.

This lore, combined with the fact that a plasma-esque, island-consuming ‘Anomaly’ alters DNA, explains a lot when you set foot on Coli. The massive bugs and big cats, for example. It also explains why you lose everything if you don’t extract: ultimately, your life-saving serum injector doesn’t work in the anomaly, so you get bounced from the time loop with nothing.

It is certainly a novel backdrop for an extraction shooter. All while it offers contracts from three competing factions to explore facilities and return with the goods. Getting off of Coli feels very tough initially, too. A distinct lack of stamina in the alpha makes outrunning danger tricky. Therefore, you must plan your wormhole or aquatic utility vehicle extraction carefully.

As you’d expect, it’s not only the local DNA-altered wildlife you need to worry about before you extract. Other players may or may not be friendly, and the limited gunfights we had felt as though they’d be most familiar to players of EFT or Delta Force. We spotted no Arc Raider rolls, no BF6 sprint-slides, so tactics and a considered choice of weapon are key.

Because the Black Budget: Closed Alpha is clearly showcasing a work in progress, it’s fair to say a lot about PvP can be polished, and it needs it. PvPvE will add variety, and dual threats may balance things a little in the long run. However, engaging with players in the map for intense firefights will be key to most of the enjoyment.

That will also depend on the success of the deployment system. Although we’re not sure of the lobby size for the Black Budget (it may not even be maxed out in the playtest), there are eight coastal areas to deploy to. This offers a visible spread of players, who can conceivably clash centrally, or at any point inbound or heading for extraction.

At this point, and it is very early for any conclusions to be drawn, Black Budget feels solid in conception and its constituent parts. Whether that transfers into a popular title that can replicate PUBG’s ongoing success, who knows? But it feels as though it’s an extraction title being developed for fans of that genre, and that’s its core audience.

What that means is that it doesn’t necessarily feel like it will appeal to a wide range of gamers. Or at least, it doesn’t yet seem to have the pull of gameplay that would. Perhaps any comparison is unfair, but in earlier tests of Arc Raiders, this writer didn’t really understand the potential scope of appeal either. That’s why development is important. 

Still, could droves of Arc Raiders enthusiasts find themselves dabbling in Krafton’s title? Based on the Black Budget playtest, it doesn’t feel likely. Black Budget may be intended for those who prefer a more traditional FPS and tactically astute experience. But there’s also a long way to go, and Krafton may have some aces up its sleeves. 

PUBG: Black Budget and its lore and core gameplay elements are now out in the wild for the world to see. Displaying a traditional FPS and extraction style, it’s too early to say how well it will do. However, it does feel destined for most enjoyment by players who enjoy the likes of Tarkov, Arena Breakout, and maybe even PUBG fans. 

There’s a long way to go, though, and we’ll be keeping tabs on future playtests for developments. Black Budget may or may not be an Arc Raiders competitor in the future. Yet with no word on a release window, there is plenty of time to polish and review, and for Krafton to deliver a compelling and enjoyable title.