Escape From Tarkov Patch 14.1 Receives Mixed Reactions Due to Recoil Changes
The recent release of Escape From Tarkov patch 14.1 by Battlestate Games has caused quite a stir among players. While many were initially concerned about the introduction of microtransactions, it turns out that the recoil changes included in this patch have become the primary source of frustration for the community.
In the patch notes, a brief mention was made about adjustments to recoil parameters for shotguns, pistols, and the SKS. Though this raised some eyebrows, as players had grown fond of the recoil system introduced in the previous wipe, it didn't initially appear to be a significant cause for concern.
However, upon launching the patch, players quickly noticed some glaring issues. The adjustments made to the recoil patterns have rendered many of these weapons practically useless beyond a single shot. Players have taken to social media platforms, sharing videos that demonstrate pistols jumping up dramatically upon firing, while other weapons fare no better.
On the Escape From Tarkov subreddit, the top 10 posts currently revolve around these recoil changes, with the majority of players calling for their reversal. Influential Tarkov streamers and content creators have also voiced their displeasure on various social media platforms.
One pressing question remains: are these recoil changes intentional or unintentional bugs? While the patch notes acknowledge the desire to alter recoil for these weapons, the extent of the changes is unclear. The hope is that this extreme recoil is a result of an unintended bug, which the development team will promptly address and rectify.
If these excessive recoil patterns prove to be intentional, these weapons would regress back to being practically worthless, possibly reviving the previous AR and sniper domination that made gameplay monotonous in the past.
Previously, for casual players outside of the hardcore community, gameplay often became nearly unplayable once top-tier ARs dominated the field. However, the recent changes to recoil and armor had allowed any weapon to have a fighting chance against heavily geared players. This leveling of the playing field gave lower-level players more opportunities to succeed, particularly in later stages of the wipe.
Sadly, with the current recoil changes, the possibilities for lower-level players have been significantly reduced, which is likely to have a negative impact on the overall game experience. Moreover, considering that many players are still struggling with the Setup quest that requires shotgun kills, it's likely that this change will discourage even more players from participating in the game.
It is our hope that the developers recognize the magnitude of this mistake and choose to revert the recoil changes introduced in the 14.1 patch. Until that happens, it's advisable to steer clear of shotguns, pistols, and the SKS when playing Escape From Tarkov. Keep an eye out for updates from the development team and hopefully, this issue will be resolved promptly, bringing back the enjoyment of gameplay for all players.
