Just a day after its long-awaited 1.0 launch on Steam, Escape From Tarkov is already receiving mostly negative reviews. While the drop in the Steam rating has many worried, the backlash appears to be driven more by server problems than any issues with the game itself.
The 1.0 version of the game released via Battlestate Games’ own launcher and on Steam on November 15, 2025. But fans logging in through Steam have reported widespread authentication errors, overloaded servers, and long wait times just to start the game.
Many of the negative reviews on Steam reflect these technical issues more than problems with gameplay.
Some long-time Tarkov players weren’t surprised by the chaos. On Reddit, one user wrote that the issues were “classic Tarkov experience,” saying server overloads during major events or updates have become a recurring theme. Other users detailed problems logging in, 2FA not working, and the launcher refusing to verify accounts.
Adding to the frustration: Steam players are required to repurchase the game, even if they already own it via the Battlestate launcher. This decision has rubbed parts of the community the wrong way, especially since the Steam edition doesn’t support family sharing, Steam Deck, or Workshop features.
Battlestate Games has acknowledged the issue and said it’s working to “stabilize the game servers and authorization services” following the massive influx of players. The developer previously scheduled a 24-hour downtime leading into the 1.0 launch to apply the massive patch, but it seems demand may have outstripped their projections.
Because the negative reviews are largely focused on technical launch problems rather than the game’s design or performance, many industry observers are calling it a review bomb, not a reflection of Tarkov’s core quality. The issues could cool once the launch day chaos subsides, but for now, player sentiment on Steam remains strained.
For a game that spent eight years in early access, the troubles during its full 1.0 launch are particularly painful for fans. Whether Tarkov’s reputation recovers from this bumpy start—or suffers in the long-term—may depend on how quickly Battlestate can stabilize the experience for its new and returning players.
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