EFT Tutorial and Guide
THE TARKOV CENTRAL
What is Escape from Tarkov?
Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore and realistic online first-person mil-sim extraction shooter with action RPG and MMO features, developed by the Russian studio Battlestate Games (BSG). Set in the fictional Norvinsk region on the border between Russia and Europe, the game immerses players in an area devastated by conflict between two private military companies (PMCs): United Security (USEC) and the Battle Encounter Assault Regiment (BEAR).
The Lore
The lore behind EFT is not fully disclosed, as the game, still in beta, does not yet allow players to access quests related to the main storyline. What we know so far is that the Norvinsk region has been isolated by a military blockade to prevent the conflict between the factions from spreading to other regions, or possibly to the entire world. The conflict involves two key groups: USEC, hired by the mysterious company Terra Group, which is conducting dubious experiments and research possibly linked to biological and nuclear warfare, and BEAR, a paramilitary organization hired by the Russian government to investigate and halt Terra Group's activities.
Adding to the chaos, an EMP explosion, referred to as "The Blue Fire" by the locals and worshipped by a mysterious faction known as the Cultists, devastated the region. While the exact origins of the explosion remain unclear, many suspect it to be the result of secretive and advanced experimental technologies tied to Terra Group's shadowy operations. The EMP rendered most electrical and electronic devices inoperable, plunging the region into further isolation and disorder.
This dire situation has caused part of the local population to turn into scavengers, known as Scavs, who roam the area in search of food, resources, and weapons, often resorting to violence to survive. Alongside the Scavs are the USEC and BEAR PMCs (private military contractors) who have become trapped in Norvinsk. With no external support and abandoned by their respective organizations, they are no longer following their original orders and are now focused solely on surviving. Consequently, in addition to scavenging for resources and equipment abandoned throughout the Norvinsk region, they have also started to accept quests and tasks from local dealers. These dealers seem to have access to vital resources and equipment necessary for survival, though their methods of obtaining these supplies remain mysterious.
For (much) more info about the lore of Tarkov you can check EUL Gaming YouTube channel.
The Gameplay
Players participate in "raids," where they navigate expansive maps to scavenge for valuable loot, engage in combat with other players and AI-controlled enemies, complete quests, and strive to reach extraction points to escape to their hideout or transit to other zones. EFT emphasizes realism through detailed weapon customization, complex health management systems, and realistic ballistics. A distinctive feature is the high-stakes nature of gameplay: if a player dies during a raid, they lose all the equipment and items they brought in or collected, unless they have insured their gear and it remains unclaimed by others.
EFT also features an RPG-like skill system, allowing for character progression. Unlike many games, there are no skill points to assign. The skills progress organically by performing actions related to them (e.g., you increase your Strength skill by running while overweight).
Beyond raids, players can enhance their "Hideout", an underground shelter that provides various in-game benefits and crafting opportunities. The game also offers a dynamic economy, allowing players to trade with NPC merchants and other players through a Flea Market. Quests from traders provide objectives that, when completed, increase trader loyalty and unlock new items and crafting recipes.
Escape from Tarkov is renowned for its steep learning curve and intense, immersive gameplay, appealing to players seeking a challenging and realistic shooter experience.
Beta Testing
EFT is still in beta (and has been for the past eight years). This has sparked controversy, especially considering the price of the more expensive editions. While this is certainly an unusual situation, it’s also important to take into account Battlestate Games’ history and the development of EFT.
The game is extremely engaging, and there is no competitor in the gaming industry that has managed to replicate the sensations and emotions that EFT offers players. Moreover, it is a game that people either love or hate, and those who love it often end up playing for thousands of hours—something that very few, if any, games, even more expensive ones, can offer.
However, EFT still has bugs and limitations. Additionally, its content, though vast, is still incomplete, as the main storyline and its related quests are still missing. While the game does feature a huge number of quests, they are technically all side quests. Furthermore, the final map—intended to allow players to truly Escape from Tarkov once the full storyline is implemented—is also still absent.
While the official release date is unknown, hints from the social media posts of BSG's head, Nikita Buyanov, may suggest that BSG's goal is to release the game in Q2 2025.