If You Like ARC Raiders But Hate Its Griefers, This Early Access Game May Be Perfect For You

I jumped into ARC Raiders last year when it launched, and it quickly became one of my favorite games. The developers, Embark Studios, really showed how much potential this game has – the world is awesome, and it’s a really cool take on the extraction shooter style. But honestly, there’s been one big problem: griefers. It’s something you see in a lot of online games, but it’s still super annoying. When the game first came out in October 2025, it had a really great community – most people were just trying to play the game and weren’t into messing with others. That group is still around, thankfully! But as more and more people start playing ARC Raiders, we’re seeing more players who just want to ruin the experience for everyone else.

It’s not just disruptive players causing problems for ARC Raiders; cheaters are also a major concern. Embark Studios has begun banning cheaters who are unfairly gaining advantages in matches. Between these issues, some players are considering taking a break until things improve. This leaves many wondering what game they can play in the meantime. ARC Raiders has a distinct style, which makes it stand out, and finding a suitable replacement isn’t easy. However, The Forever Winter, currently in early access on Steam, could be a good option while the problems with disruptive players continue.

The Forever Winter Takes ARC Raiders’ Machine Apocalypse Concept and Turns it Into an Even Darker Nightmare

Both ARC Raiders and The Forever Winter take place in worlds overrun by powerful AI robots. However, The Forever Winter presents a much grimmer and more desolate setting. While ARC Raiders blends its post-apocalyptic themes with a vibrant, retro-futuristic style, The Forever Winter leans into a darker, more oppressive atmosphere, similar to games like Gears of War and Cronos: The New Dawn. In The Forever Winter, civilization has fallen due to these massive machines, and constant conflict between warring groups pushes humanity towards total ruin. Although ARC Raiders has struggled with issues like cheating, The Forever Winter offers a similarly engaging experience despite its less colorful approach.

Image via Fun Dog Studios

Players Take on the Role of a Survivor Who Doesn’t Care About Factions, Only Survival

In The Forever Winter, survival is the only goal, and you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it – whether that means being stealthy or using force. The game constantly reinforces the harsh reality of the apocalypse, from scavenging resources from fallen enemies to battling powerful machines. While similar to extraction shooters like ARC Raiders, The Forever Winter offers a unique experience. What will especially appeal to ARC Raiders fans is its relentless focus on challenging, unforgiving survival.

The Forever Winter Offers Six Survivors to Choose From

Old Man
Scav Girl
Mask Man
Shaman
Gunhead
Bag Man

Like ARC Raiders, The Forever Winter Boasts Unpredictable Enemy Encounters

Keep in mind that The Forever Winter is still being developed, so the enemy AI isn’t quite as polished as in ARC Raiders yet. While you might run into a few issues while playing, the unpredictable battles can actually be thrilling and intense. The game’s mechanics are complex, but even in its early stages, The Forever Winter is surprisingly fun and feels well-built.

Every fight in The Forever Winter feels dangerous, and the enemies are truly frightening – ranging from strong cyborgs to colossal, humanoid robots reminiscent of Attack on Titan. While its horror elements might not appeal to all players, they fit perfectly within the bleak world created by Fun Dog Studios. Like ARC Raiders, enemies in The Forever Winter are smart and tough to defeat, and it can be just as demanding. Although ARC Raiders strikes a great balance in difficulty, The Forever Winter offers its own unique challenges that fans of that game are likely to enjoy.

AI Giants and Human-Machine Hybrids Aren’t the Only Threat

Europa — A superpower comprised of Western and Central Europe and most of the Americas
Eurasia — A superpower made up of the entire continent of Asia

In the game The Forever Winter, the two opposing sides are key players in the global conflict. There’s also Euruska, which teams up with Eurasia. However, Euruska focuses on bioengineering rather than traditional armies. Players will mainly fight hybrids and robots, but encountering Europa and Eurasia’s troops can be equally challenging. This creates a significant threat without requiring player-versus-player combat, which is great for those who prefer a player-versus-environment experience, like in ARC Raiders.

Image via Fun Dog Studios

At first, the groups fighting each other might pay little attention to you. But if you start seriously interfering with their plans, they’ll eventually try to get rid of you.

The Forever Winter is a Unique and Brutal World Worth Trying to Survive

While still in development and not quite as refined as ARC Raiders, The Forever Winter shows a lot of promise for an early access game. ARC Raiders itself has quickly become very popular – so much so that people are already talking about turning it into a movie or TV show. However, some players are starting to find ARC Raiders a bit frustrating, and that’s where games like The Forever Winter offer a fresh alternative.

While ARC Raiders is currently struggling with players who ruin the game for others through cheating and disruptive behavior, the developers are likely working to fix these issues. This isn’t a complete turn-off for everyone, but it has frustrated many. If you’re looking for a fresh experience, The Forever Winter offers a challenging and immersive world, and could be a great alternative extraction shooter.

2026-01-13 06:05