A lot has changed since we first saw ARC Raiders in April. While the game benefited from the indefinite delay of Bungie’s Marathon, a competing extraction shooter, it now faces a launch just weeks after Escape From Tarkov—a very popular game in this genre—arrives on Steam. Despite a crowded release schedule and several other new extraction shooters coming out, recent hands-on previews of ARC Raiders continue to suggest it will be one of the best shooters of 2025 and a great entry point for players new to this often-complex genre.
After a recent test event on Steam, Game Rant got an early look at the finished version of ARC Raiders before its release this week. After playing for about four hours, it’s clear that the game successfully combines scavenging, shooting, and escaping with enough unique elements to appeal to fans of similar games like Hunt: Showdown or Witchfire. It’s also accessible enough for new players to pick up and enjoy. ARC Raiders delivers a polished experience that shooter fans will appreciate, and it’s the high-quality release you’d expect from the creators of The Finals.
Whether Solo or In a Squad, ARC Raiders is a Fantastic On-Ramp to Extraction Shooters
When compared to other extraction shooters, the biggest difference with ARC Raiders is its third-person perspective. This viewpoint quickly proves essential, as carefully watching and listening are key to winning. Like Hunt: Showdown, skilled players can gain an edge by using sound to locate both AI enemies (ARCs) and other players. A nearby noise might be a teammate opening a container, or it could signal a dangerous ARC approaching. Playing solo, paying attention to these visual and audio clues is vital for survival. However, when playing with a team, it becomes just one part of a larger strategy that emphasizes coordination, teamwork, and taking the fight to the enemy.
The real strength of ARC Raiders comes from playing with a team. The game is designed around three players taking on specific roles – one watches for threats, another gathers loot, and the third focuses on combat. These roles are important throughout the game, and it’s surprising how effective both aggressive and careful strategies are, whether you’re fighting AI enemies or other players. Fortunately, the matchmaking system keeps solo players and squads separate, and ensures everyone is matched with players of a similar level. This means runs to the Rust Belt (the game’s post-apocalyptic world) usually only end badly due to mistakes or taking unnecessary risks. Ultimately, ARC Raiders prioritizes fun, and that makes it stand out among other games in the extraction shooter genre.
ARC Raiders Was Already Great In Its First Preview, But It’s Even Better Ahead of Its Launch
We were eager to see how much ARC Raiders had improved since the first preview. It turns out, quite a bit has changed! While the basic gameplay remains the same, Embark Studios has clearly worked hard to refine the experience. The in-game economy and how players progress are now much more polished and ready for a wider audience.
Players will return to an underground city between adventures on the surface. This city acts as their base where they can break down materials, create new equipment and weapons, complete missions, and improve their Raider’s abilities. These improvements are organized into three skill areas, focusing on better scavenging and combat. As players progress, they’ll become increasingly powerful. ARC Raiders handles the typical progression resets found in this type of game in a special way, offering a unique system for managing power increases and resets.
Instead of forcing players to start over completely at certain times, ARC Raiders uses a “Projects” system. Players can join Projects to earn valuable rewards, but they know their progress will reset when the Project ends. This risk/reward setup is perfect for those seeking a tougher experience and a fairer game, while players who prefer a more relaxed approach can easily choose not to participate in Projects.
We’ve made it easier to upgrade gear and expand your workshop by lowering material costs and increasing resource availability during expeditions. Plus, a new “free loadout” option gives players who’ve lost their equipment a random starting kit, letting them jump back into the action even after a tough run.
One of the biggest hurdles for new players in extraction shooter games is the feeling of falling behind if you can’t play consistently. ARC Raiders breaks from this mold by letting players enjoy it at their own pace, whether they’re hardcore or casual, without sacrificing fun. Plus, the game’s unique sci-fi world is visually and audibly stunning, thanks to Embark’s excellent art direction. In a crowded genre, ARC Raiders stands out as a game that will appeal to all kinds of shooter fans, from dedicated players to those who just enjoy weekend co-op sessions.
ARC Raiders will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S starting October 30, 2025. We at Game Rant received a PC code to play and preview the game.
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2025-10-29 18:04