Game: ARC Raiders
Developer: Embark Studios
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: #Action #Extractive Shooter #Post-Apocalyptic
Embark Studios’ highly anticipated game, ARC Raiders, was finally released on October 30. Following their success with THE FINALS, the developers have invested several years in creating ARC Raiders—delaying the launch multiple times to enhance the overall quality. The anticipation is significant.
After Escape from Tarkov sparked the trend, extraction-based shooters have turned into a popular genre—but the current scene is unclear. Many games tried to position themselves as “the next Tarkov,” but fans set a high standard and responses have been unenthusiastic. It’s also challenging to attract a wider audience: in a genre where dying could mean losing all your gear, the learning curve is significant.
Nevertheless, numerous studios continue to see “extraction” as the upcoming major area for expansion—and ARC Raiders is among them. Following a pre-launch media showcase, one key factor became evident. It’s “quality.”
▲ Very well then—let’s get going.
A video game is a commodity. And this commodity possesses quality.
If I were to condense ARC Raiders into a single phrase, it would be “a high-quality product.” This holds true for both the gameplay and the surrounding elements.
A significant portion of that impression comes from the sense of stability experienced from starting the game to entering live gameplay. In comparison to other always-online launches, it stands out. Even when compared to single-player or console releases, the optimization is outstanding. On the PC used for this session (RTX 3080), there was minimal hassle—from loading to the lobby (including shader precompilation) to consistent frame rates once in a match.
What Embark succeeded at in THE FINALS carries over to ARC Raiders. The expertise of the DICE veterans once again gives every small character movement a sense of weight. The walk and sprint animations, the smooth yet realistic shift in center-of-mass when altering direction, the slide-and-roll during combat—each animation is both seamless and intricate.
The focus on detail extends beyond character animation to include weapons and ARC NPC enemies. Consider the Hullcracker, a grenade launcher: observe carefully and you’ll notice the number of grenades in the tube reduces with every shot, then reappears one by one during the reload process.
In worldwide gaming communities—such as those centered around Call of Duty and other titles—players pay close attention to reload animations. A quick search on YouTube reveals numerous compilation videos. Although third-person games rarely invest this much effort into reloads, ARC Raiders ensures that no details are overlooked, enhancing the overall sense of “quality.”
▲ Expansive views free from any unsightly elements.
▲ A slight movement: the magazine gently moves to the right upon each reload.
The atmosphere that defines the world is equally captivating. The visually appealing landscapes are just the baseline; what truly enhances them is the audio. The noise of the rifle on your back, footsteps, and the far-off mechanical sounds of ARC units—each sound element draws you further in.
Essentially, the stunning views and sound environments do not compromise clarity or gameplay. In numerous games, “attractive scenery” and “player visibility” often conflict—this is also true for audio. Not in this case. ARC Raiders maintains impressive atmosphere without affecting the gaming experience.
It might seem overly ambitious, but these are the essentials. Without strong foundational elements, you can’t create a game that claims to be of “high quality.” Whatever insights Embark gained from previous projects, they definitely “returned to the basics.” The outcome is ARC Raiders, a game that feels “fully realized” at almost every stage.
▲ The sound of metal flooring, the abrupt ringing of a car alarm—ambient audio enhances the sense of being there.
A fresh benchmark for an accessible action shooter
▲ Restrictive weight and inventory space limits ensure you can’t remain too long.
Unlike the genre’s reputation for being difficult and frightening, ARC Raiders is quite easy to get into. It does rely on your loadout, but the storage space is usually limited—by design, you can’t spend a long time gathering resources in one go. The gameplay involves planning a fast route, filling your inventory, and then going back to base to upgrade your character.
You don’t require top-tier shooting skills to be the last one remaining. Your play style is your choice, but the wasteland isn’t solely filled with serial killers eager to eliminate you for your belongings.
If you’d like, you can avoid dangerous areas, perform limited theft, and then escape. As your equipment gets better, you can take more risks. The core elements of the genre remain, but the restricted inventory actually gives players more options: Do you escape with a full pack, or take a chance in a fight to get (slightly) better items from someone else’s belongings?
Another option for players who find extraction games overwhelming is the “Free Loadout.” Rather than putting your own equipment at risk, you can start with a fundamental randomized set. Your combat effectiveness will be reduced and your inventory space will be limited, but there’s no reason to feel embarrassed about taking a cautious approach that ensures safe returns with modest rewards.
▲ Even the ARC drones that resemble “alarm clocks” are surprisingly durable.
Combat in ARC Raiders is technically not required, but the hands-on experience clearly reflects Embark’s style. Both ARC PvE battles and PvP conflicts have their own intensity, and the game continuously questions whether you want to engage or steer clear.
ARC models differ in risk, but most are not insignificant. If you’re only carrying low-caliber weapons, fleeing is often the best choice for survival. Bigger ARCs seem significantly more durable (that’s how it felt in practice).
Regular flyers such as the Wasp and Hornet are easily taken down when a squad concentrates on them, but when flying alone, they can be very dangerous. If a Rocketeer or Bombardier targets you, you’ll be at a disadvantage until you have the right equipment. In many situations, two of us emptied our entire supply of ammunition and still couldn’t eliminate one Rocketeer. For anything larger than that, cooperation is essential.
ARCs are powerful, yet not abundant enough to cover the entire map. They function more like a continuous pressure cooker—increasing tension during looting—while other hostile Raiders add another layer, creating the unique, stressful combat cycle of ARC Raiders.
▲ “Hold on—why didn’t it detonate?”
▲ Since this specific weapon only explodes when triggered by ARCs.
Early-game weapons each have their weaknesses, resulting in a longer time-to-kill. There’s a powerful sniper that only fires one bullet at a time; an assault rifle that reloads two rounds per cycle; and a submachine gun that struggles to damage an ARC’s armor. No single weapon handles all situations; the game’s balance encourages strategic thinking.
It also depends on whether your focus is on Player versus Environment (PvE) or Player versus Player (PvP). Light-ammo firearms perform well against other Raiders; heavy-caliber choices are effective against ARC plating in PvE scenarios. Higher-tier weapons usually reduce weaknesses or enhance strengths, allowing loadouts that match your objectives.
Understanding distinctive weapon characteristics can also be beneficial. The Hullcracker grenade launcher’s projectiles only explode when targeting ARC units; against humans, it essentially functions as a rubber bullet launcher.
ARC Raiders’ combat can be simple, similar to other extraction games, but also involves subtle strategy. You might lure a floating ARC toward enemies to create an opportunity, or witness third-party Raiders caught in a conflict with ARCs. Naturally, the same situation can happen to you, keeping the pressure constant.
In the preview, one feature didn’t fully demonstrate its potential but suggests social adaptability: you can employ a “Don’t shoot!” interaction with other players. While approaching others in a lawless wasteland is nearly dangerous, this isn’t a battle royale. If you encounter a friendly group, you could team up, take down an ARC, collect supplies, and return to Speranza together.
▲ Managing other Raiders and ARCs—always an exciting time.
▲ Oh, you again?
Pure drive: why you head up to collect, well, everything
▲ Rubber ducks are displayed on the shelves back home; the right wall appears to be a place for Epic weapons.
ARC Raiders captures the essence of the genre’s progression cycle outside of raids. You take on the role of a Raider based in Speranza—humanity’s last refuge—and you create most of your gear and supplies in your own base. Your companion, Scrappy the Rooster, gathers materials, which you then combine with what you collect above ground to enhance your workstations. Repeat the process to unlock more advanced equipment—this forms the main gameplay.
On the map, separate “districts” correspond to various stages of development. In areas such as the Industrial District and the Medical District, you’ll discover resources tailored to your upgrade requirements. Traders in Speranza offer quests that direct you to particular districts as well.
Certain items feature “levels” similar to weapons and armor. You can disassemble higher-level parts into simpler ones. When carrying capacity is tight in the field, this approach can be a wise strategy.
▲ Hello—why are you leaving me?
Past the workbench loop, there’s a skill system where you allocate points as you gain levels. With three paths—Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival—you can tailor a build to fit your preferred style. Perhaps you can open chests more silently than others, or sort through items in containers (just a bit) quicker.
The “Augments” system is equally intriguing. Consider augments as chassis frames for your basic kit: the augment you install alters your inventory setup. There are augments that accommodate larger shields, augments that increase storage space for items, and medical-focused augments that provide specific healing slots. It’s a logical method to establish team roles.
Finally, “Projects” represent ARC Raiders’ approach to seasonal resets. Rather than having universal time-based wipes, the Expedition Project allows you to choose to reset. When the Expedition window is active, you initiate it by sending a caravan—restarting your progress in return for long-term benefits.
Each of these systems provides motivation to venture into the wasteland—and to endure the challenge and return safely.
▲ Speranza requires a vast amount of materials…
▲ …and that demand drives the player’s grind (also, Scrappy is cute).
Proven weight class; long-term content will determine the service runway
▲ The slide appears somewhat excessively smooth, but the overall movement is excellent.
Initial reactions to ARC Raiders are very clear: a well-crafted extraction shooter that anyone can start playing immediately.
A third-person viewpoint, Scrappy the Rooster, and features such as no-cooldown Free Loadouts are key distinctions. Unlike other extraction games, you can’t be “seasoned out” due to a mandatory wipe—you can play at your own speed. This makes the experience more relaxed and reduces the entry threshold.
On the other hand, aggressive Raiders on the ground and top-tier ARCs prevent things from becoming too easy, maintaining the pressure. Powerhouses such as the Reaper and Rocketeer require substantial equipment to handle, and even standard ARCs can overwhelm you if you engage in multiple battles using a Free Loadout. Activating an ARC could reveal your location to hidden Raiders, making even relaxed surface trips intense—a delicate equilibrium.
It’s also among the most high-quality releases in recent times. Animation, sound, visuals, and performance—every aspect makes a strong impression worldwide. Smooth animation and realistic audio-visual elements enhance the fantasy of being a Raider above ground, while exceptional optimization allows more players to engage comfortably.
▲ Full bag, heading back home—taking a moment to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing another team struggle.
It’s still early on, but ARC Raiders, with its “high quality” and “approachability,” appears poised to secure a place among the top titles in the extraction genre. The old test footage revealed a massive ARC, and in-game clues suggest new maps—there’s much to look forward to. For now, I’m heading back to Speranza.
▲ There are moments like this.
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