Escape from Tarkov pushes the boundaries of genres and offers a new kind of gameplay based on a multitude of tactical and combat factors and the use of additional modules that improve game realism.

Events take place in a realistic setting in the Russian city of Tarkov. Main characters work for two private military companies locked in bloody conflict on the streets of the settlement surrounded by UN forces and Russian Military. Players need to find a way out of the isolated Tarkov, survive the deadly hazards and unearth all mysteries of the city. Following the wildly twisted plot, heroes of Escape from Tarkov meet many dangers – from hostile mercenaries of enemy faction to aggressive environment. Death may come suddenly in a multitude of ways: character may perish because of consequences of different injuries, illnesses, exhaustion and radiation poisoning.

To survive in a harsh and unpredictable world, players use numerous MMO system modules: users can control all actions and movements of their character and choose from a wide range of behaviors and tactics.

The “Scavs” are a playable side faction that allows you to team up in gangs of up to four players, to grab as much loot before dying and add whatever you have looted to the arsenal of your main character. Scavs are an alternate way to take part in combat, without the fear of losing everything that you've found or brought into the raid. 

Scavs are citizens that have become marauders and thugs, who chose to stay in Tarkov during the city’s evacuation to loot whatever the other inhabitants have left behind. They are deprived of any moral values, they have no far-reaching plans and the only motivation they have is the itch for easy gain.

Although Scavs do not take sides, they can become brutal fighters when it comes to protecting their territories and the valuables they have pillaged. Operators of both PMCs, USEC and BEAR alike, pose a potential threat for them, but those who come into the raid as a Scav don't have to be afraid of being attacked by AI Scavs - they will consider them as their own kind, unless players attack them first. Equipment, weapons, place and time of Scav spawning locations are set randomly.

Escape from Tarkov's Hazardous Environment Combat Simulator employs a number of custom system modules to create incredibly immersive gameplay and make players feel the reality of what is happening in the game.