ARC Raiders released last year to great acclaim and has established itself as one of the new must-play gaming titles. Developer Embark Studios has shown how much potential it has ARC Raiders has in the coming years with its interesting world and more accessible take on the extraction shooter genre. However, there is one big problem that plagues the game: sad. This is a common occurrence in online multiplayer games, but that doesn't mean it isn't frustrating. When ARC Raiders first launched in October 2025, it quickly built a reputation for a respectable and positive player base that mostly tried to stay away from PvP. This community is still very present in the game. However, how ARC RaidersIts popularity continues to rise, as does its potential to attract players who want to disrupt the progress of other players.
Griefers aren't the only obstacle ARC Raiders must solve either. Fraudsters also cause a serious problem. ARC Raiders cheaters have been abusing the game to gain unfair advantages in matches, but Embark Studios has finally started banning offending players. Between cheaters and suing players, some players may be ready to take a little break until the problem is more addressed. That leaves the question of what game could replace it ARC Raidersalthough. It's a game that has managed to stand on its own with a unique identity, and that's no easy feat. There may be one Early Access game on Steam that could be a solid replacement while the griefer issue continues: Eternal winter.
The Forever Winter takes the Machine Apocalypse ARC Raiders concept and turns it into an even darker nightmare
IN ARC Raidersthe world has succumbed to powerful AI robots called ARCs, and Eternal winter is quite similar. The main difference is that Eternal winterthe world is downright bleak in comparison. ARC Raiders balances its post-apocalyptic setting with its colorful retro-futuristic aesthetic, but Eternal winter has a much darker approach. At first sight Eternal winter reminiscent of the oppressive energy seen in Gears of War and Cronos: A New Dawn. In this game, civilization has collapsed under the power of giant AI machines, and the ongoing war between powerful factions drives humanity further into chaos and destruction. ARC RaidersThe issue of cheating and grieving makes it difficult for some to fully enjoy the post-apocalyptic world that Embark Studios has built. Eternal winter it may not be as bright and colorful, but it is just as impressive.
Players take on the role of a survivor who doesn't care about factions, just survival
The main rule in Eternal winter is to survive by any means necessary. Whether it's stealth or weapons, the key is to fight for another day. From looting dead bodies to taking down advanced machinery, Eternal winter has plenty of ways to remind players that the apocalypse is an unrelenting daily battle. It's hard to find such extraction shooters ARC Raiders. Eternal winter it definitely has its own distinct feel and gameplay, but its theme and emphasis on ruthless survival is what hits home the most ARC Raiders fans.
Forever Winter features six survivors to choose from
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Old man
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Scav Girl
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The mask man
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Shaman
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Gunhead
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Bag Man
Like ARC Raiders, The Forever Winter boasts unpredictable enemy encounters
It is important to remember this Eternal winter it's still in early access, so its in-game AI isn't as fine-tuned as ARC Raiders' still. Despite the hiccups you may encounter while playing, the unpredictability of the battlefield can be really exciting and downright sweat-inducing. Eternal winterThe gameplay still has room for improvement, but it's still surprisingly satisfying and strong for an Early Access game that has to balance such complex mechanics.
Every enemy encounter can mean death and they are all terrifying. From powerful human-machine hybrids to giant AI humanoids that look straight out of a movie Attack on Titan, Eternal winter it has an air of horror about it. This may not be for everyone, but it works incredibly well in the hopeless world that developers Fun Dog Studios have brought to life. ARC Raiders enemies are intelligent and hard to defeat and Eternal winter can honestly be just as punishing. ARC Raiders it balances its challenge level so well that it's hard to replicate. Eternal winter brings its own unique set of challenges to the table ARC Raiders fans can resonate with.
AI giants and human-machine hybrids are not the only threat
- Europe — A superpower composed of Western and Central Europe and most of the Americas
- Eurasia — A superpower made up of the entire continent of Asia
The game's two warring factions are also at the center of a world conflict in the Eternal winter. There is also Euruska, which is aligned with Eurasia. However, instead of a traditional military force, Euruska focuses more on bioengineering. Hybrids and automatons are the main enemies to avoid, but getting in the way of European and Eurasian forces can be just as dangerous. This adds an extra threat without the inclusion of PvP, which is good news for those who want a PvE-only mode. ARC Raiders.
While the warring factions may ignore you at first, the more you disrupt their goals, the more they will try to remove you from the equation.
The Forever Winter is a unique and brutal world worth trying to survive
It may not be as well polished as ARC Raiders yet, but that's nothing new for Early Access titles. Despite not being completely finished, it's still impressive that it's a work in progress. Popularity ARC Raiders cannot be underestimated. The extraction shooter is only a few months old, but there is already interest in it ARC Raiders film and television adaptations. As great as the game is, it has become frustrating for some players. These are games like Eternal winter come in handy.
ARC RaidersThe problems with claimants and fraudsters will hopefully improve with time. Of course, this is not a solution for every player. But it drives others crazy. So in the meantime Eternal winterThe ruthless and dark world could be the perfect game to shake things up and show players a unique take on the extraction shooter genre.
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood
