Extinction is a third-person action-adventure game set in a world threatened by massive creatures known as the Ravenii. Players take on the role of Avil, one of the last Sentinels, and focus on defending human settlements while fighting back against these towering foes and their smaller minions. The core loop centers on large-scale battles across open countryside areas where strategy and mobility determine success against overwhelming numbers.
Gameplay
The combat system emphasizes skill and positioning over simple button mashing. Avil uses a whip for traversal, enabling wall runs, vaults into the air, and targeted strikes on weak points. Players climb and maneuver around the giant Ravenii to remove armor pieces before delivering finishing blows, often by decapitating them. The environment plays a direct role, with fully destructible elements that can be used as weapons or cover during fights. Hordes attack from multiple directions, forcing quick decisions between ground-level minions and aerial threats. Skill trees allow customization of abilities, letting players emphasize different movement styles or combat approaches based on preference.
Progression ties directly to performance in missions. Rescuing civilians and completing objectives unlocks upgrades that improve mobility or damage output. Battles vary in layout and enemy composition, preventing repetition even within similar scenarios. The movement feels fluid when chaining runs and aerial attacks, though the emphasis remains on tactical dismemberment rather than open exploration.
Game Modes
The main experience comes through a story campaign that spans multiple missions across a sprawling map. Objectives include protecting cities, rescuing refugees, and eliminating specific Ravenii threats while managing civilian safety. Side missions offer additional variety with distinct goals that reward further upgrades.
Skirmish Mode lets players build custom battlegrounds and compete against others online for high scores. Extinction Mode shifts to endless survival against continuous waves of ogres and minions, testing endurance without a set endpoint. These modes provide different pacing compared to the structured campaign, with Skirmish focusing on competition and Extinction Mode on prolonged defense.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows humanity's struggle against the Ravenii, ancient monsters that have begun a relentless advance. Avil operates as a lone operative equipped with specialized tools to turn the tide in key locations. Missions highlight the scale of the invasion through large battlefields filled with both civilian evacuation efforts and direct confrontations. The setting remains grounded in defensive warfare rather than expansive world-building, with each area designed around immediate tactical needs.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback on Extinction has been mixed overall, with many noting that the core combat loop provides moments of satisfaction during large-scale fights but often feels repetitive after extended sessions. The campaign offers a defined single-player experience with side content for additional playtime, while the online modes add competitive and survival elements for those interested in replayability. The game suits players who enjoy third-person action focused on giant enemy encounters and movement-based combat systems. Those seeking ongoing updates or live-service features will find none, as development concluded after the 2018 release. Availability on PC makes it accessible for those drawn to its specific premise of battling oversized monsters in destructible settings.
