In late November 2023, Astrum Entertainment, a Russian publisher and developer, announced a new free multiplayer shooter called Xtract. The studio has been transparent about its close resemblance to another project, Minced Meat, born from a division of a single concept into two independent releases. Russian players will access Xtract, while Western audiences will see Hawked, a title MY.GAMES has shifted toward the Western market.
At launch, the core mechanics align with what was shown in Russia, where the game will debut on VK Play. A year after release, developers anticipate that the two games will diverge more significantly. New content and features are expected to gradually separate, reducing overlap from the second year onward.
Setting and key mechanisms
Xtract is a free-to-play adventure PvPvE shooter set in a near-future world that feels almost alternate. It promises a narrative arc whose developments will shape the gameplay experience.
Do you enjoy PvPvE shooters?
The primary battleground is the tropical island known as X, featuring ruins, temples from ancient civilizations, and puzzles that yield rewards. Some puzzles appear as interactive challenges that players must solve periodically. Examples include triggering a sequence of rune-like glyphs in a specific order to unlock gates and progress toward the coveted artifact.
The island is rendered from a top-down perspective, emphasizing exploration and strategic movement.
Players take on the roles of mercenaries and treasure hunters. The organization GRIAL, described as a broker of discovery and sale, draws expeditions from across the globe in pursuit of the island’s fabled treasure.
According to Marina Zhuravleva, Chief Community Manager of Astrum Entertainment, the creators sought to preserve the sense of expedition. The game emphasizes treasure gathering over mere survival, aiming to deliver a genuine sense of discovery rather than a simple loot chase.
The principal objective centers on obtaining the main treasure rather than eliminating every foe. Players may pursue this goal solo or in a trio with companions.
Upon landing, the first objective is to locate five glyphs—symbolic runes that illuminate the path to the main treasure and grant improvements. Securing these glyphs before rivals becomes a central race, even against fellow teammates.
The fiercest clashes revolve around the prize itself. If risk is avoided, players can retreat to base with whatever loot has already been secured.
Within the GRIAL base aboard the Breakwater ship, players can enhance artifacts, trade loot, receive new tasks from non-player characters, and coordinate future expeditions with other treasure hunters.
Artifacts and equipment can be combined with amplifiers to tailor a personalized loadout for each player, supporting a flexible approach to combat and exploration.
The game is designed without punishing extraction mechanics. Losing is not a setback in the traditional sense; loot delivered to the base counts as a successful bet, even if the main artifact remains uncaptured. The ultimate winner is the team that secures and returns with the main treasure to the base of GRIAL.
And what else?
Players can expect PvE events, including caravan looting. The marketing taps into a memorable meme—the enormous caravan lizards—highlighting the spectacle of the game and earning attention from gaming press.
The island features a diverse array of adversaries, ranging from anthropomorphic and dinosaur-like creatures to towering brutes, all presented with a bright, cartoony visual style that matches the game’s tonal vibe.
The development team emphasizes player customization. Rather than predefined heroes, characters are shaped by player choices and play style. While the editor may offer a growing set of options, it remains more modest than more expansive RPGs, reflecting the game’s broader accessibility ambitions.
As one of the project’s creators noted, Xtract aims to be welcoming to a wide audience, avoiding punishing mechanics while preserving a sense of adventure. The emphasis is on exploration and treasure hunting rather than harsh challenge. The game brief also underscores the importance of avoiding ambushes and deception, maintaining a spirit of curiosity and exploration.
Be mindful of traps sprinkled around the realm, particularly near treasuries, where danger may lurk in clever places.
A grappling hook helps players reach higher ledges, pull themselves up, and glide along suspended cables. A surfboard can appear when stepping into water, ensuring mobility across the map. Players should also scout for weapon crates, since the hero often starts with limited gear on arrival.
A design lead explained the intention to offer a broad audience an extraction shooter experience that remains approachable for newcomers and enjoyable to play. The goal is to balance accessibility with excitement, pausing neither for newcomers nor for veterans.
Caravans are a recurring feature, inviting players to loot valuable goods and reinforce gameplay through dynamic events that reward exploration and timing.
When asked whether the game emphasizes Xtract or Hawked, developers summarized the experience as a loop of loot collection and base delivery—a simple, repeatable pattern designed for quick, casual play sessions. For now, players can try the title on the VK Play platform, with monetization details set to become clearer at launch.
Source: VG Times