Extraction shooters get a korean twist: nexon's nakwon makes a splash

Forget everything you thought you knew about extraction shooters. Nexon’s NAKWON: Last Paradise isn’t just entering the arena; it’s doing so with a distinctly Korean flavor, and the early numbers suggest players are ready for it.

A genre reborn, a new contender

The extraction shooter genre, once dismissed as a fleeting trend, is experiencing a surprising resurgence. Titles like ARC Raiders and Hunt: Showdown have cultivated dedicated player bases, proving that risk-versus-reward gameplay still holds immense appeal. Now, NAKWON is poised to capitalize on this renewed interest, launching into a landscape surprisingly receptive to its unique brand of chaos.

Nexon’s closed beta, held last week, delivered a stunning initial performance. A simultaneous peak of 37,000 players—nearly half the viewership of Resident Evil Requiem—signaled a significant appetite for the game. But the numbers don’t stop there; the beta ultimately involved a staggering 280,000 players, a figure confirmed by Nexon. It’s a distinction worth noting: that’s the total number of unique players who engaged with the game during the beta, encompassing both those who dove in for a single session and dedicated veterans.

However, reaching the game’s pinnacle—level 10—proved a genuine challenge. A mere 393 players managed to achieve this feat, underscoring Nexon’s claim that the game's challenges are “really demanding.” The data speaks volumes: 1.8 million successful extractions, and one particularly lucky (or skilled) player managed to escape a raid with a haul worth a staggering 3.7 million credits.

Beyond guns: korean survival meets pvpve

So, what exactly isNAKWON: Last Paradise? It’s a deviation from the standard extraction formula. Set in a zombie-ravaged South Korean city, the game abandons traditional firearms in favor of a more primal, resourceful approach to combat. Players scavenge for makeshift weapons—sticks, stones, scrap metal—to survive against both hordes of the undead and hostile human players vying for the same scarce resources. This blends survival, PvPvE, and extraction mechanics into a strangely compelling package.

What separates NAKWON is its commitment to a building and crafting system—albeit a basic one—and a tiered leveling system. This ensures that even players seeking a more arcade-style experience aren't entirely left behind. It's a thoughtful inclusion, broadening the game’s appeal beyond hardcore extraction enthusiasts.

Nexon is promising further testing phases before the full launch, and whispers of an open beta are already circulating. Considering the impressive showing of the closed beta, it's likely that NAKWON: Last Paradise is the next extraction shooter to watch – and potentially, the one that finally defines the genre’s unique potential.