Active Matter is a new extraction shooter from Gaijin Entertainment that isn’t afraid to mix ideas from across the genre. It’s currently available through the developer’s website (not on Steam yet), and even in its early version, it already feels distinct, fast-paced, and unpredictable.
Key takeaways:
- Extraction shooter with S.T.A.L.K.E.R.-style anomalies and shrinking end zones.
- PvE is lethal and central to gameplay, not background noise.
- Environment can be weaponized.
- Streamlined healing, inventory, and UI improve pacing.
- Balanced economy; easy to recover gear through recycling and crafting.
- Solid weapon pool with melee and improvised tools; ammo types not yet added.
- Co-op reduces PvE stress and enhances firefights.
- No camping. Constant movement encouraged by design.
- Robot dogs, FPV drones, portals, and monster transformations add variety.
Active Matter Release Date
Active Matter is currently available in its early version through the developer’s official website. The full release of Active Matter is planned for 2026 on Steam and major consoles, with specific dates and editions to be announced closer to launch.
The early build already features dozens of PvPvE and PvE raids set across Dalniy Island and the game’s African-inspired regions, offering players a solid preview of what to expect when the full version arrives. Currently, you can only play on PC, which means that you might need to properly configure your game. For the best tuning, you can check out our Active Matter Settings guide here at Overgear.
What is Active Matter?
Active Matter is an online extraction shooter where players take the role of operatives exploring a fractured multiverse. Every match mixes PvP and PvE combat, forcing you to fight both other players and creatures warped by active matter.
You can play solo or in squads of up to three, taking on raids across Dalniy Island’s industrial ruins or the African frontier. Each run is about survival, collecting gear, and making it to extraction. There’s also a dedicated PvP mode called the Nexus, set on separate maps such as temples and skyscrapers. These matches use pre-issued gear that stays with you even if you’re defeated.
Active Matter Gameplay Features
At its core, Active Matter plays like an extraction shooter, but it borrows liberally from other survival and tactical games. You’ll find mechanics reminiscent of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., like tossing bolts to discharge anomalies before moving through dangerous zones. There’s also a shrinking zone mechanic at the end of each match, pushing remaining players toward the center for a final, tense showdown.
Quality-of-life improvements stand out right away. Healing and inventory management are simple, the UI is easy to read, and the interactive map actually helps rather than hinders. It’s clear the developers paid attention to small frustrations that usually plague this genre.
Players coming from Hunt: Showdown, Arena Breakout: Infinite, or Escape from Tarkov will immediately feel at home; however, there is one big difference. In Active Matter, PvE enemies are not just background noise. It’s a real threat.
The monsters here are fast, aggressive, and deadly. They force you to think before engaging, even in familiar spaces. Rushing into a building can easily get you surrounded. Smart use of the environment is key: shoot near a Flowermen nest while enemies are nearby, and chaos erupts. The monsters will attack whoever’s closest, turning your firefight into a three-way disaster, or opportunity.
Weapons in Active Matter
Players have access to more than 60 firearms, including pistols, rifles, and machine guns, along with melee options like knives, hammers, and spears for close combat or stealth kills. Drones can scout or distract enemies, letting you plan fights instead of rushing in blind.
Active Matter’s arsenal is straightforward but effective. Shotguns and flamethrowers dominate close-range fights against monsters, while rifles, SMGs, and pistols handle player encounters. Weapons can be customized with attachments like sights, suppressors, and stocks.
Melee combat also plays a surprising role. You’ll find practical options like knives and tactical spears, but also improvised ones such as screwdrivers, wrenches, or even large flashlights can be used as weapons (and yes, they still work as flashlights).
There are no alternate ammo types yet, so don’t expect AP or hollow point rounds. This feature seems planned for later updates, and while it’s not game-breaking, veterans of the genre will definitely notice its absence.
Teamplay in Active Matter
Solo play can be brutal, but with friends, the experience opens up. PvE threats become manageable, letting you focus on PvP. Thanks to clever level design, many buildings feature wall-walking anomalies, turning gunfights into dynamic, vertical encounters.
One of the most refreshing things about the current build: no camping. The game’s pacing and PvE pressure keep players moving. You won’t see people hiding in corners or bushes for entire matches. Whether this continues after launch remains to be seen, but right now, it’s pure action.
Active Matter Progression
The in-game economy is refreshingly fair. Losing gear isn’t punishing, since it’s easy to recover basic equipment through quick runs. Recycling loot “enriched” by active matter is a fast way to earn money, and crafting recipes unlock over time, limited only by your available resources and patience.
📌 There’s a dedicated PvP mode with preset loadouts for players who just want to focus on pure gunplay or practice aim without worrying about gear loss.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Game
Like any early access title, Active Matter comes with a mix of impressive design choices and areas that still need refinement. It’s already carving out its identity in the extraction shooter space, but players should know what to expect before diving in.
Current Weaknesses and Limitations
It’s still early access, and that shows in a few areas:
- High PvE difficulty in solo play. Bring more magazines than you think you’ll need.
- Limited customization depth compared to games like EFT or Arena Breakout.
- No ammo variety (yet), only one round type per caliber.
- Early Access bugs, though the developers are quick to fix them. (A pink shoulder texture glitch was patched within days.)
Unique Features That Stand Out
Active Matter adds a number of small but exciting features that make it more than “just another Tarkov-like”:
- Robot dogs that carry loot for you.
- FPV drones capable of dropping grenades.
- Portals connecting different map areas.
- Rare transformation items that temporarily turn you into a monster hunting other players.
Despite its rough edges, Active Matter shows strong potential. Its mix of PvE tension, tactical combat, and player-driven chaos makes it stand out from its peers. With continued updates and balance improvements, it could easily become one of the most dynamic and memorable extraction shooters in recent years.
Is Active Matter Free to Play?
No, Active Matter is not free to play, and the developers have no plans to make it F2P. While they’ve expressed interest in reaching a wider audience, they’ve explained that moving to a free-to-play model would be difficult and could lead to more cheating.
According to the team, free-to-play titles often have lighter penalties for cheaters, which can harm the overall experience. As a result, Active Matter will remain a premium, paid game to ensure fair gameplay and strong anti-cheat enforcement.
Active Matter feels like a promising evolution of extraction shooters. One that respects player time, keeps tension high, and refuses to let you relax. Between the deadly PvE, smart environmental interactions, and solid QoL features, it’s already showing strong potential. It’s rough around the edges, but that’s expected from an early version. If the developers continue at their current pace, this could become one of the standout titles in the genre. If you want to keep up with more Active Matter news, stay here at Overgear!
