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Play for free: Hardcore zombie extraction shooter enters first Steam playtest

The new extraction shooter The Midnight Walkers entered its first global playtest on July 4. (Image source: Steam)
The new extraction shooter The Midnight Walkers entered its first global playtest on July 4. (Image source: Steam)
If you're into hardcore survival games with a zombie twist and have a free weekend ahead, The Midnight Walkers might be just what you're looking for. This extraction shooter, inspired by titles like Escape from Tarkov, offers a fresh spin on the genre with unique gameplay elements – and it's free to play this weekend during its first global playtest.

The Midnight Walkers is slated for release later this year as a dark PvPvE shooter set in a zombie-infested world. Developed by Oneway Ticket Studio – a South Korean team founded in 2023 – the game marks the studio’s debut and highlights their focus on intense, player-driven survival experiences. It's expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, though a specific price has yet to be announced.

Tarkov meets zombie horror

Gameplay-wise, The Midnight Walkers draws strong inspiration from Escape from Tarkov – but with a zombie-infested twist. It pushes the genre further by adding lethal environmental hazards and powerful boss enemies. Players must scavenge for weapons, armor and supplies – always under the threat of losing everything with a single wrong move. Combat features both melee and ranged options, with gear ranging from katanas to revolvers. A crafting and marketplace system also allows for fully customizable, upgradable loadouts.

Global playtest now live

Following a delay from June 27 to July 4, 2025, the first global playtest of The Midnight Walkers is now live. Servers are available across Asia, Europe and the Americas, with the game currently playable in English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese. The developers note that performance is still being optimized. The playtest will run for 72 hours, with feedback collected through the official Discord server. A developer livestream is currently ongoing on Twitch, and a partner program for content creators is already open. Players can register directly via the game’s Steam page.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 07 > Play for free: Hardcore zombie extraction shooter enters first Steam playtest
Marius Müller, 2025-07- 5 (Update: 2025-07- 5)