New Extraction Shooter on Steam Takes Borderlands’ Style and Crushes It Together With ARC Raiders

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Extraction shooter games are becoming increasingly popular, and this isn’t really a new trend. The huge success of games like ARC Raiders has drawn more players to the genre, moving it from a small, dedicated fanbase to a wider audience. That’s why the release of new games like Gravebound on Steam is exciting, particularly for fans who enjoyed the challenging and rewarding gameplay of ARC Raiders.

I’ve been following the extraction shooter scene, and while games like ARC Raiders aim for realism, Gravebound is really standing out to me! It’s got this awesome comic book art style, kind of like Borderlands, which makes it look so unique and dynamic. Even though it’s not fully out yet, you can actually play a demo on Steam right now, which is amazing. The developers are planning to launch in Early Access in early 2026, and I love that they want to build the game with player feedback – that’s a really smart approach!

Gravebound Looks Like Borderlands, Plays Like ARC Raiders

It might seem odd to compare Gravebound to the popular ARC Raiders, but there are strong similarities beyond just current trends. While Gravebound initially appears to be a standard extraction shooter with a Borderlandsinspired look, its art style actually enhances what makes it truly unique, especially when compared to ARC Raiders. Ultimately, Gravebound feels like a more vibrant and energetic version of ARC Raiders*, expressed through a distinctly chaotic and colorful style.

Gravebound’s Features at a Glance

  • PvPvE EXTRACTION GAMEPLAY, where you scavenge for loot, fight enemies, and attempt to extract alive.
  • BULLET HELL COMBAT TWIST with complex enemy projectile patterns and visible damage indicators.
  • MULTIPLE PLAYABLE ZONES for varied run experiences and tactical choices.
  • SOLO OR SQUAD RUNS, letting you play alone or with friends.
  • VARIETY OF WEAPONS AND GEAR across different classes of firearms and equipment.
  • WEAPON AND ARMOR UPGRADES offering progression with better statistics and builds.
  • INITIAL FACTION SYSTEM that adds narrative and systemic depth.
  • AI ENEMIES AND BOSSES with chaotic behaviors and bullet-hell-style patterns.
  • TIME-LIMITED MISSIONS AND RESOURCE COLLECTION as part of extraction runs.

Even with its unique features, Gravebound is fundamentally an extraction shooter. Each attempt requires players to weigh the risks – how much they’re willing to risk for better gear, and when to cut their losses and leave. Like ARC Raiders, Gravebound throws both AI enemies and other players into the mix, making every round unpredictable. ARC Raiders really raised the bar for this type of gameplay, with AI that gets smarter as players interact with it. It’s not yet known if Gravebound‘s AI will learn from players too, but with the game launching into Early Access soon, it’s still a possibility.

This place used to offer a warm breakfast, but now it’s a battleground. Prepare to face bizarre, robotic enemies – their minds are as damaged as the machines themselves.

While many extraction shooter games, like ARC Raiders, reward careful planning, Gravebound seems to prioritize fast-paced, chaotic action. This focus on speed and quick reflexes is enhanced by its vibrant, Borderlandsinspired art style – a more realistic look might not have the same impact. Gravebound shares core mechanics with games like ARC Raiders*, but it twists them enough to deliver the thrilling risk-reward gameplay that defines the genre, but at a much more intense level.

What to Expect From Gravebound Early Access

  • A GAME THAT EVOLVES ALONGSIDE ITS COMMUNITY, with systems changing based on real player behavior and feedback.
  • ONGOING BALANCE AND PROGRESSION ADJUSTMENTS as combat, risk-reward, and pacing are refined.
  • A WORLD THAT EXPANDS OVER TIME, with new locations, scenarios, and activities introduced gradually.
  • PUBLIC TESTING OF NEW IDEAS, including potential bosses, dynamic events, and faction-driven objectives.
  • ACTIVE DEVELOPER COMMUNICATION, with regular engagement through Discord, Steam forums, and dev blogs.
  • OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYERS TO INFLUENCE PRIORITIES through feedback, discussions, and playtests.
  • LONG-TERM EARLY ACCESS WINDOW (10–18 MONTHS) that allows systems to mature naturally.

For a game like Gravebound, getting player feedback early on is crucial. Since extraction shooters rely heavily on feeling fair and having well-balanced gameplay, and Gravebound adds a unique chaotic element, it’s especially important to see how players experience it. By releasing the game as an Early Access title, the developers at Crater Studios can watch how people play, and then refine the game based on that feedback.

Gravebound is an online shooter where the game’s systems are constantly improving based on what players think. By releasing it in Early Access, we can build and refine the game with our community’s help.

Crater Studios plans a lengthy Early Access period of 10 to 18 months, signaling they aren’t in a hurry to release the finished game. They’ve stated they’ll continually refine elements like combat, how quickly players progress, and the risk/reward of extracting from missions, based on player feedback and their own observations. While new content will be added over time, the primary goal of Early Access is to thoroughly polish the existing game to ensure its long-term success.

I’m really excited about Gravebound! It’s launching into Early Access at a perfect time, with extraction shooters being super popular right now, so hopefully a lot of people will check it out. What really has me hyped, though, is that it seems to build on the ideas from ARC Raiders and has that fun Borderlands vibe, but with a faster, more action-packed style of combat. We’ll all get to see if it lives up to the potential in early 2026 when it launches, but you can actually try a demo on Steam right now – if you can get into a match, that is! The queue seems a little long at the moment.

Gravebound launches on Steam Early Access in Q1 2026.

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2026-01-25 13:05