What Arc Raiders Has in Common With Stranger Things, and Why It Works

by

I wouldn’t usually connect ARC Raiders with Stranger Things, but playing the game while watching the final season of the show has made me notice a lot of interesting similarities. While the stories are quite different, both ARC Raiders and Stranger Things create immersive worlds using similar techniques. Like many great stories, they both feature a huge, overwhelming threat, but their success really comes from a winning combination of elements that continue to resonate with audiences.

Despite only coming out in October, ARC Raiders has quickly become a major game this year. It’s filled a gap that many other ongoing service games have tried to address. With a recent update to ARC Raiders and the first part of the final season of Stranger Things now available on Netflix, both have been providing plenty of content for fans. Even if you only enjoy one, it’s clear that both ARC Raiders and Stranger Things heavily rely on a sense of nostalgia.

Synth-Heavy Soundtracks Bring ARC Raiders and Stranger Things to Life

One of the first things you’ll notice about both ARC Raiders and Stranger Things is their music. ARC Raiders has a fantastic soundtrack that’s considered one of the best of 2025, but it strongly resembles the iconic sound of Stranger Things. Even if you haven’t seen the show, Stranger Things’ music – especially its main theme – is instantly recognizable as some of the most memorable music of the last ten years. The show wouldn’t be the same without it, and ARC Raiders would feel very different without its own synth-heavy music. Both games and the show use synths to immediately create a specific atmosphere. Whether it’s a character facing a monster or scavenging for resources, the moody synth sounds build tension and are essential to the feel of both worlds. This shared love of atmosphere connects to another similarity: a strong retro 80s style.

Retro 80s Aesthetic is the Heart of Each World’s Design

Image via Embark Studios

It makes sense that Stranger Things looks the way it does, given that the show is set in the 1980s. However, the developers of ARC Raiders, Embark Studios, had more freedom with its style. They could have drawn inspiration from any era. While a very futuristic or stripped-down, survival-focused look would have been possible for a post-apocalyptic game about killer robots, they likely avoided a primitive, wasteland aesthetic because it’s already strongly associated with Horizon. Plus, the Fallout series has already established a post-apocalyptic world with a distinctive 1950s retro-futuristic vibe.

The technology in ARC Raiders feels realistic and useful, rather than showy. The game’s weapons, character customizations, and other items all have a solid, analog feel, which surprisingly fits with the pre-digital setting of Stranger Things. While ARC Raiders draws inspiration from the 80s, it’s not the only sci-fi game to do so.

Image via Netflix

Other Notable Games That Embrace 80s Retro-Futurism

  • Alien: Isolation (2014)
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
  • Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2021)
  • Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet (in development)

Nostalgia Fuels ARC Raiders and Stranger Things’ Tone

Retro-futuristic design often comes with a strong sense of nostalgia, and the 80s are particularly remembered for their huge influence on pop culture – from music and movies to TV and everyday products. The decade created many memorable moments that still inspire artists today. While looking back can be effective, it’s easy to fall into cliché. However, games like ARC Raiders and shows like Stranger Things avoid simply throwing in 80s references for the sake of it. Stranger Things is a genuine tribute to the era, not a spoof, and ARC Raiders uses the decade’s atmosphere to create a believable world, rather than relying on a superficial gimmick.

Isolation and Slow-Burn Tension Make for a More Meaningful Experience

Both Stranger Things and ARC Raiders share a similar approach to building suspense. Like the earlier seasons of Stranger Things which focused on mystery and slow reveals before the main storyline took off, ARC Raiders prioritizes a measured pace. While the combat in ARC Raiders is intense when it happens, much of the game is about surviving, scavenging, and letting the tension build – a slower style than many other live-service games like Fortnite or Call of Duty, which are constantly action-packed. Both games create a heavy atmosphere and focus on building mystery, rather than just delivering constant action.

What is it About This Formula That Works So Well?

  • Synthesizers are versatile instruments that can capture a variety of emotions.
  • 80s retro-futurism is an aesthetic that makes for eye-catching, but grounded, visuals.
  • Nostalgia is a useful tool to make viewers feel attached.
  • Slow-burn storytelling can make for a richer experience.

Each of these elements is effective individually, but together they create a compelling and memorable identity. While games like ARC Raiders and Stranger Things appear very different, they both rely on similar techniques to craft their distinct worlds. The 1980s were a particularly influential era for science fiction, and its unique atmosphere will likely continue to inspire game developers and other creatives.

GR Report

Level up your gaming knowledge with Game Rant, packed with news, reviews, and insights from the gaming world.

GR Report

Level up your gaming knowledge with Game Rant, packed with news, reviews, and insights from the gaming world.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Although the story behind ARC Raiders is very different from Stranger Things and its spooky, *Dungeons & Dragonsinfluenced mystery, both games share some fundamental ideas, which is really interesting. Despite having these similarities, each game still feels distinct and original, proving that a single concept can spark a wide range of creative and unique narratives.

Read More

2025-12-21 13:05