ARC Raiders Delivers Familiar Yet Thrilling Extraction Shooter Action

ARC Raiders epitomizes the extraction shooter genre with relentless intensity, offering a quintessential experience that feels strikingly familiar. It’s among the least innovative games I’ve encountered, closely mirroring its predecessors to an almost humorous degree. For preview purposes, this works in its favor: if you enjoy scavenging resources while dodging AI enemies and outsmarting human opponents in PvP, ARC Raiders will likely hit the mark. If not, it offers little to change your mind.

This game wears its influences proudly, with the hero wielding a pickaxe as a default melee weapon—a clear nod to Fortnite’s iconic tool. This homage is just the beginning of ARC Raiders’ familiarity, instantly recognizable to fans of Battle Royale, survival crafting, or extraction shooters. While it lacks originality, the game assembles proven elements from successful live-service titles into a cohesive, satisfying package.

ARC Raiders - Gamescom 2024 Screenshots

Each round’s objective is straightforward: venture to the surface, gather superior loot, and return underground alive. Two obstacles complicate this mission. First, the ARC—AI-controlled combat robots patrolling the map, hunting for signs of life. Even the smallest bots pose a serious threat, particularly in groups. The spider-like drones are especially unnerving for arachnophobes like me, while the larger crawlers are formidable. These machines roam, drawn to the sounds of combat or scavenging, swarming any humans they detect.

The ARC become deadlier in groups, with cleverly placed clusters combining complementary abilities, often lurking indoors where players can stumble into them. Overconfidence around these foes led to my demise multiple times. One massive crawler spun its legs like a helicopter, a terrifying sight. Defeating an ARC, however, yields valuable rewards like ammo and weapon parts.

Arc Raiders - Screenshots and GIFs

The second, more lethal threat comes from fellow raiders. In ARC Raiders, constant vigilance is key, as the game is, to quote Casablanca, “full of vultures, vultures everywhere.” Ambushing a distracted, loot-laden player is often quicker than scavenging for hours or staking out extraction points to rob escapees. Naturally, every other raider has the same idea, targeting you.

Combat feels polished and engaging. Your third-person character handles like those in modern shooters, with intuitive controls and no surprises. Bullets land accurately based on your weapon’s stats, and melee attacks pack a punch. Firearms feel authentic: SMGs are lively but hard to tame, assault rifles are steady and robust, and sniper rifles hit with devastating force.

Teaming up in groups of three adds tactical depth, allowing coordinated searches and cover. Team-based firefights introduce strategy, with squads executing flanks and ambushes. Whether communicating directions, listening for threats, or securing a room’s vantage points, a three-player squad creates gripping tension in every encounter.

Map design cleverly funnels players to high-value resource hubs, drawing crowds to lucrative spots or extraction zones where opportunists lie in wait to steal hard-earned loot.

The environments are functional but uninspired, featuring the typical post-apocalyptic mix of rusted warehouses, deserted apartments, and overgrown lots. It feels like Fortnite dusted with Day Z’s grit, lacking a distinct identity that pulls you into the lore. Still, lore isn’t the main draw—ARC Raiders is straightforward, satisfying gameplay, like comfort food without flair, but it hits the spot.

Every container holds potential riches: crafting materials, ammo, shields, healing items, or weapons. Ammunition is varied—light, medium, heavy, and shotgun types—keeping scavenging intense. Materials follow a predictable rarity system, with colors indicating value for crafting superior gear. A special inventory slot ensures one prized item survives death, letting you secure rare finds.

Some containers require time and create noise when opened, adding thrilling tension, especially solo. The fixed camera leaves you exposed, amplifying the risk as you pry open a noisy door, wary of passing robots or players.

Between rounds, you retreat underground to craft advanced gear from your haul or sell items for cash to buy pre-made equipment. A quirky crafting element involves a live rooster, though its purpose remains unclear.

Exploration earns experience, unlocking Skill Trees to tailor your character’s combat, mobility, or stealth abilities. Each upgrade feels meaningful, enhancing your playstyle with clear, impactful choices.

Default character designs are lackluster, but premium currency unlocks better textures and outfits. My character looked grim with basic options, while my teammate rocked a stylish, rugged look that stood out.

ARC Raiders’ familiarity is its strength, delivering a polished loop: loot and fight on the surface, upgrade underground, and return stronger. It’s not groundbreaking, but its reliable execution makes it a solid way to spend an afternoon.