ARC Raiders is the next big extraction shooter on the block, and even before the game was fully released, players praised it for a variety of reasons, from the visuals to the gameplay to the world itself. It's an incredibly satisfying and well-crafted game that has attracted a huge number of players from the start, and there are plenty of things that make it such an impressive new release that it should definitely be picked up by many more players.
Some players point to the tactical firefights as incredibly rewarding and punchy, while others focus more on the setting and how the lore ties into every aspect of the game. Be that as it may, ARC Raiders is already making waves in the shooter space and should continue to do so in the coming weeks as more players learn about it all the reasons to check it out and jump into the robot apocalypse.
Join the Hype
A brand new game with lots of eyes
One of the biggest reasons to give ARC Raiders an attempt to cash in on the crazy hype train that the game managed to get in the months leading up to release. There's nothing better than being able to play a brand new game with a huge following, as players will have access to a huge amount of community content, insanely short queue times, and any of those pesky release bugs should be reported and fixed quickly.
Because the game is new and fresh, all the hidden techniques and secrets have yet to be discovered, giving players a chance to break new ground and figure out the game for themselves at the same time as everyone else. This shared learning makes every match more authentic in the early days, as no one is running around with an endless library of knowledge about how to play the game “the right way”, except perhaps for a select few who have sunk over 100 hours into tech testing.
You can easily get into it
Low barriers to entry
The team at Embark Studios is focused on making their game playable by anyone, regardless of whether they have 1000 hours Escape from Tarkov, or if they've never touched a pull-out shooter in their life. Instead, players are free to load up the map and explore things for themselves, with enough depth to learn and master, but not so much content to absorb that it overwhelms newcomers to the genre.
The game also feels less intense overall than some other extraction shooters on the market. Instead of encouraging slow, methodical exploration over the course of a drawn-out looting mission, ARC Raiders it allows players to choose the path that suits them best, whether that's running straight into high-level loot areas or exploring the periphery in hopes of picking up some items that others have left behind.
Worldbuilding
Bringing the story to the fore
Something that really sets ARC Raiders In addition to competition, it puts much more emphasis on world building and creating an interesting story to match its gameplay. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where robots roam the surface while humanity is forced to live underground in order to survive. With resources becoming increasingly scarce, brave individuals known as Raiders venture into the light in hopes of bringing back rare materials and treasures.
This quickly contrasts with the simplicity of many other extraction shooters in the genre, as many opt for a modern military feel rather than breaking new ground. While it's a risk to create an entirely new universe, it's definitely worth it, as both the environment and the enemies within it are so incredibly captivating that many players have spent enough time just looking around before even starting to hunt for loot.
It's great with friends
Coordination and comedy all at once
Like any extraction shooter, the social side of the game is a big draw, both in terms of how players interact with random players in the world and how they can play together with friends. ARC Raiders it allows players to jump into the game with up to two other friends, which is enough for a small group to enjoy the wasteland together without feeling like they're controlling the lobby.
In addition to being able to play with friends, players will quickly find that other raiders in the world are more than happy to interact or even work alongside them to take down some of the tougher bots. This spontaneous social element makes every raid exciting. One moment players can play solo and the next they are surrounded by a group of temporary companions who can turn to them at any time.
Long term plans
Post-launch plans are already in place
Even though the game has only just launched, there are already some pretty concrete plans for what's next ARC Raiders. The developers have mentioned interest in releasing more maps, ARCs, and quests, in addition to minor updates to certain mechanics and essential additions such as additional weapons to keep exploration fresh.
Having at least a verbal roadmap in mind makes the game's future that much more robust, as it's clear that the developers aren't interested in making a quick buck and intend to keep releasing content for a long time. Also, the update schedule should be pretty regular, as the head of the studio mentioned that they want the content to be consistent over time and not just random events throughout the year, allowing players to play more and more often.
Moments above tension
Cinematic action versus slow motion
Game moments are some of the most important aspects of any video game, and in the extraction shooter genre, these moments often take the form of intense encounters with other players or lengthy hunts that take place over the course of an entire match. IN ARC Raidersthe standout moments come not from the tension, but from the insane interactions between players and enemies.
It doesn't take long for players to see a jumper leaping across the map to hunt down a lone raider, or a queen marching onto the battlefield and drawing fire from an entire group of players. Each of these encounters has the intensity of a scripted moment, but with the thrill of a chance encounter that makes each moment feel like a live movie where anything can happen.
Polished product
More refined than most of the competition
The modern gaming landscape is full of exceptional titles, but there have been a few releases that fell short of expectations due to minor issues that quickly became major issues. Optimization issues, poor performance, and an overall unfinished feel are just some of the hiccups that plague the modern gaming environment, but ARC Raiders it manages to crush all major issues and provides a crisp and well-optimized experience the moment you launch the game.
The game runs well and feels great, and the one feature that deserves the most praise is how well designed all the more technical systems are. The sound design is exceptional, drawing the player into the world with just sound, and the visual clarity is significantly better than many other games in the genre, allowing ARC Raiders look great, but at the same time remain semi-competitive for players looking for true gunfights.
A perfect loop
Flash Entry And Exit
Carving out the perfect gameplay loop for something like an extraction shooter is no easy task, as developers have to strike a nice balance between meaningful looting and punishing death consequences. ARC Raiders it manages to create an experience that can truly be played either way, but at its core remains a quality extraction shooter where players can feel like they're progressing in a tangible way without feeling completely safe as they run.
The crafting and upgrade systems allow players to take their resources and weapons and improve their strength both offensively and defensively, yet everything is hard-earned as players still need to focus on each run, regardless of how many times they've survived before. As mentioned, there's also a huge amount of different playstyles, meaning new players can loot and run as they please, while more seasoned raiders can stick around, hunt down other raiders, or even try to dominate the larger ARCs that roam the land.
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood
