ARC Raiders – Review
ARC Raiders is a cooperative third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios, blending PvE and PvPvE gameplay in a ruined, post-apocalyptic world dominated by mysterious mechanical enemies known as ARC.
🎮 Gameplay
At its core, ARC Raiders focuses on squad-based survival and tactical decision-making. Players drop into large open maps either solo or in teams, scavenging valuable resources while avoiding—or engaging—deadly ARC machines and other Raiders. Every expedition is a risk: die, and you lose everything you’ve collected.
Combat feels deliberate rather than chaotic. Weapons have weight, recoil matters, and positioning is crucial, especially when facing heavily armored ARC enemies. The mix of stealth, gunplay, and environmental awareness keeps each run tense and unpredictable.
🌎 World & Atmosphere
The game’s world is one of its strongest elements. The environments tell a story of a fallen civilization, with abandoned structures, underground facilities, and wide open landscapes constantly under threat. ARC machines roam the world in various forms, each with unique attack patterns that demand different strategies.
The sound design and music enhance the atmosphere, creating a constant sense of danger even when nothing is happening on screen.
🚀 Progression & Customization
Progression is tied to successful extractions. Players upgrade their base, craft better gear, and unlock new equipment over time. Customization focuses more on functionality than cosmetics, reinforcing the survival-focused design.
Risk vs reward is a core pillar—better loot means deeper exploration and higher chances of encountering powerful enemies or hostile players.
👀 Multiplayer Experience
Playing with friends significantly enhances the experience. Communication and coordination are key, especially when deciding whether to fight, retreat, or extract early. Solo play is possible, but far more punishing and demanding.
Encounters with other players add an extra layer of tension, as you never know if another Raider will cooperate… or shoot on sight.
🤔 Verdict
ARC Raiders delivers a compelling and atmospheric take on the extraction shooter genre. While it may not reinvent the formula, its polished gunplay, strong world-building, and intense risk-based gameplay make it stand out. Fans of tactical shooters and survival-focused multiplayer games will find a lot to enjoy here.
👍 Pros
Tense and rewarding extraction gameplay
Strong atmosphere and world design
Satisfying cooperative mechanics
👎 Cons
Steep learning curve for new players
Solo play can feel unforgiving