Escape from Tarkov has taken Twitch by storm recently, becoming a much more well known online survival game thanks to its exposure on the service. Its recent spotlight in the gaming mainstream has potentially brought more players to its community.

For those unfamiliar with Escape from Tarkov, it is a first-person survival game similar to other games such as DayZ, in which death has very heavy consequences and interactions with other players can consequently be beneficial or deadly, as it is supposed to reflect a tint of realism in a land desecrated by lawlessness and chaos. The game includes aspects of the battle royale and PVP formula, taking place in a city of which the government has collapsed.

RELATED: Pro Twitch Escape From Tarkov Streamer Goes 'John Wick' on Players

Naturally, this has resulted in a warzone between players comprised from two mercenary factions who are vying to nab the latest and greatest technology and gear left over within the city limits, all while attempting to escape with their loot alive. Finding an extraction point is not always an easy task, and staying alive while on a voyage to find an extraction point is even more difficult.

To be clear, Escape from Tarkov is still in closed Beta form which can be played anytime of the day, as the game is fully operational in this regard. To gain access to the closed Beta, one must pre-order the game, which at some point in the future will present itself in its final release and complete form. However, at the moment, the closed Beta has certainly proven itself in popularity in establishing a solid community of die-hard players, and it presents quite a complete gameplay experience in its current form.

Some players may be wondering what the different Pre-Order editions of the game represent, and may be seeking a more clear picture of the context for the inclusions in these packages, and whether it is worth their money. In short, it all depends on the type of player and their particular philosophy or outlook in approaching its competitive battlefield. There is no right or wrong answer here.

Escape From Tarkov Standard Editionstandard edition escape from tarkov At the time of this writing, there are four different editions for pre-ordering Escape from Tarkov, with the Standard Edition starting at $44.99 and representing the least expensive option. More expensive editions provide more starting equipment and perks. If one is not ready to spend $44.99, keep an eye out, because sales do transpire and prices fluctuate occasionally, often as much as 30% less than the normal price during sales.In the Standard Edition, in addition to gaining immediate access to the closed beta, the buyer also starts out with bonus equipment to increase their odds of survival at the immediate start. This includes items such as knives, a secure container, ammunition, water, an AKS74U assault rifle, and much more. According to the website, equipment that players obtain or have in their inventory during Beta will stay with them when the game fully releases.The Standard Edition comes with a basic stash that is 10x26 inventory cells in size to store loot. A player should certainly be wise in choosing which of their equipment they take with them into a raid, however. This is especially true in the beginning when they are still developing survival skills and when additional Escape From Tarkov items have not yet been gained.There are also secure containers which becomes part of a player's own inventory and travel with them into raids in order to store precious items which can not be lost upon death. However, these inventory slots are minimal, and should only be used for equipment the player least wishes to part ways with potentially. In the standard edition, the buyer starts with one secure container which only holds four inventory slots (2x2 in size).

Left Behind Edition escape from tarkov left behind edition The Left Behind Edition, currently priced at $74.99, comes with a larger stash size of 10x36 inventory slots to safely store equipment. It also comes with four Grach or P226 pistols instead of 3 and 12 pistol magazines instead of 9.Food, also an important element of the game, is more numerous as well, giving the player access to 8 cans of meat instead of 4, and 6 bottles of water instead of 3. Also included is 9 medical kits instead of 6, 9 bandages instead of 6, 9 splints instead of 6, and 400,000 roubles instead of 300,000 roubles, which are one of the game's forms of currency. Other additional items are also included in the Left Behind Edition, such as the superior Salewa first aid kit, an RGD-5 grenade, and extra backpack space consisting of 4x4 slots. However, that should not be confused with being more secure space. Both Standard and Left Behind editions come with 2x2 Secure Container spaces only.

RELATED: Escape from Tarkov Dev Explains Why it Won't Add Female Characters to the Game

escape from tarkov prepare for escape edition

The Prepare For Escape Edition, currently at $99.99, comes with a huge storage stash of 10x46 inventory cells, and players start out in "good standing" with all in-game traders, which means they can purchase goods more easily and for better deals. Also, players have a slightly larger 2x3 Secure Container as part of their inventory, giving them slightly more room to store precious items without the risk of their loss.

Buyers also get one extra RGD-5 grenade and additional weapons such as an SMG Vityaz or HK MP5 with two loaded magazines, a Kiver helmet for better protection, and 1,000 dollars in in-game spending currency. It's worth noting that Escape From Tarkov uses multiple currencies, depending on the seller a player is purchasing from, and the type of items they are buying or selling. For example, the Mechanic mostly deals in Euros, while Peacekeepers use Dollars. Finally, the Prepare For Escape Edition also comes with a superior IFAK first aid kit, a Pilad reflex sight to attach to a weapon for better aim, and an M1-B Ultimate handguard for the AK74 weapon.

Edge of Darkness Limited Edition

escape from tarkov edge of darkness edition

If one wishes to go all in, there is the Edge of Darkness edition for $139.99. It is not cheap, and considering it is described as Limited Edition, it may not be around long. It comes with everything from the Prepare For Escape Edition, as well as an even more enormous stash size of 10x66 slots, a unique in-game ID and much more starting equipment and resources.

But the best deal of all, and which could actually save a player money in the long run, is this edition's access to all subsequent DLCs. However, it does specify that it is a Season pass in specific, so it may not be a completely endless supply of future DLC's to come, It will provide whatever the first season's pass will comprise, down the road. And of course, there are plenty of goods, as there better well should be for the price of this offering. The Edge of Darkness' additional starting equipment includes everything from the previous editions, in addition to a Tactical Tomahawk, a larger Tri-Zip backpack of 5x6 cells, and a slightly larger secure container of 3x3 cells in size.

It also includes plenty of extra weaponry, comprising an SMG Vityaz or HK MP5 weapon (depending on faction), with 2 loaded magazines, 3,000 dollars in currency, a Grizzly first aid kit, an Alfa tactical rig, two morphine injectors to treat wounds, an SV98 sniper rifle and a loaded magazine for it, a Hybrid 46 silencer and its adapter, and an additional 3x3 pistol case. If that is not enough, also included is 6B43 6A body armor to drastically increase defense and odds of survival, along with an MPX submachine gun with 2 loaded magazines, and, finally, an M4 LVOA-S handguard.

One may also wonder what the purpose of all this starting equipment is, if it can be lost upon dying in the game. This could be especially concerning for those who may wish to buy more expensive editions of the game with more starting items. Fear not, as the game is not completely zero-sum in this regard, and a player can only potentially lose the items chosen to travel with them on the raid. Players have a stash by which items can be stored in its reserves safely for future use, away from the battlefield.

While there are arguments to be made for or against the various editions, given the game's risk factor and application of death on a player, there is no wrong choice depending on each player's needs and their philosophy. For example, if a player already plans on being competitively serious, to the point in which they plan on earning top of the line equipment, a case can be made for purchasing either the Standard or Edge of Darkness Limited Edition.

Overall, the game is designed so that one can earn success no matter which edition a buyer may purchase. But if a player has a different philosophy, money is certainly not wasted to go with a more expensive edition and to consolidate some extra ground from the start. In the end, no matter which edition a player purchases, it will still be a challenging struggle to climb the ladder of success in this intentionally punishing game of survival and realism.

Escape from Tarkov is currently in closed beta and will arrive on Steam for purchase at some point in the future.

MORE: Escape From Tarkov Gets Gritty Realism Right