ARC Raiders review: An extraction shooter with purpose, and probably the best one

It's been a few days since ARC Raiders came into my life. I initially participated in the playtests, but those two-hour windows weren't enough to do justice to Embark Studios' offering. Now that I have a fairly solid grasp of the world, I’m absolutely blown away by this game. For someone who enjoys competitive shooters, ARC Raiders feels like a breath of fresh air, and I want to keep feeling that breeze for a while.

To be honest, I was never into extraction shooters. The genre felt somewhat purposeless and didn't invoke enough of a dopamine hit that I usually derive from other games. But ARC Raiders changed that perception. After days of playing this game, I’ve found myself fully immersed in the life of a Raider, guarding my stash in Speranza, excited about the next raid, and making friends along the way.

---

ARC Raiders is my post-apocalyptic Roman Empire

ARC Raiders promises a beautifully crafted world (Image via Embark Studios)

Set in a distant future where humanity has been forced underground after machines known as ARCs ravaged the planet, ARC Raiders paints a haunting yet beautiful picture of a world long past its prime. The game doesn’t spell everything out. No one knows when the “Collapse” happened, and that mystery is part of what made me so invested in this game immediately. The world feels forgotten, but fragments of the old ways still linger, reminding you that civilization once thrived here.

It's quite rare for me to take a keen interest in the world-building of a co-op game or a game that has multiplayer elements. Usually, the primary goal is to have a good time with my friends or outplay my opponent, which gives me a sense of joy. This game made me realize there are more things you can do in a video game, and it's a reflection of how life is.

I made friends along the way, but were they?

Who is your friend? Who is your foe? (Image via Embark Studios)

Initially, I thought that since ARC Raiders is a shooter, opponent players would be my first worry. I approached this game as I'd approach any other extraction shooter, cautious about the PvP element. But little did I know that my biggest enemy would be the ARCs themselves, and they are the one common enemy that we all must face. And what do people do when there is one common enemy to fight? They come together.

There is proximity chat in-game, but the usage of the chat makes it more engaging. You take the elevator, go to the Rust Belt, get as many resources as possible, or complete the missions that you have. You can come back without fighting another player. If you encounter another player or a team while raiding, you can talk to them and convince them to come back to Speranza together.

Buried City in ARC Raiders (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming/ Embark Studios)

I recall an instance in Buried City (the map is breathtaking to look at), where our team had very low resources, and there were too many ARCs outside. We heard footsteps and started screaming, "Don't kill us, we are friendly." And guess what? Six of us fought side by side and returned to the elevator without a scratch on our backs.

Every time I hop onto this game, I feel like there is a story waiting for me on the other end. The stories don't have to be good all the time; sometimes, a raider might betray you, but that's what life is. It goes on nonetheless.

---

Every corner is hauntingly beautiful

Night Raids in ARC Raiders (Image via Embark Studios)

Visually, ARC Raiders felt like an absolute delight to experience. The rust belt post-apocalyptic aesthetic is quite dominant in almost every corner. We've seen this survivalist theme in games like The Last of Us, Fallout, and many other games/movies/series. The decaying urban scape, aggressive foliage reclaiming its space, ARC Raiders seemed like a post-apocalyptic pipedream coming true.

One aspect that makes this game prettier is an added layer of vibrance. Be it a dusty sunset in Buried City or a stormy evening in DAM Battlegrounds, everything in the game looks vibrant and full of life. Even the suits that the raiders have are colorful and full of joy.

Most games in this genre lean heavily into desolation, but ARC Raiders does the opposite. I felt a sense of hope in the map design and the color palette. The game makes you stop and admire the beauty despite the danger that lurks around every corner.

Every single night raid in ARC Raiders felt like a horror movie for me. They’re tense, claustrophobic, and downright terrifying. Even low-level enemies like Ticks (small, spider-like ARCs) can make your heart race when they jump out of the dark. And I'm taking a casual approach with the game. Right now, I'm more interested in surviving than fighting the ARC enemies.

The only high-level enemy that I beat was a Leaper, and boy, that was a heart-pounding experience. If I'm being honest, I don't want to face the Queen, but I hope to beat her with enough gear and skills.

Even a Wasp can hurt you in ARC Raiders (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming/ Embark Studios)

ARC Raiders is also one of those games where you learn from your mistakes. If you think a base-level Wasp can't hurt you, you are wrong. Even two or three hits from them can take down armor and leave you stunned and dead within seconds. Every single ARC has its own weakness and fighting style.

For instance, when a Hornet attacks you, get into cover whenever it's rapid-firing. To bring it down, you must find where the ARC is unarmored. Even an ARC enemy like Snitch, who doesn't even have anything to attack you with, can harm you by disclosing your location.

---

The game gives you freedom, in every aspect

ARC Raiders is breathing (Image via Embark Studios)

One of the biggest things that I couldn't help but appreciate is how living and breathing all ARC enemies are. Whenever there is a sound, they get alert. Even the elevator you take from Speranza attracts them. So, taking a fight or hiding from them is completely your decision. Every single bullet shot feels reactive in the game. It doesn't seem like there is a hit marker, so you have to aim. Your aim should be calculative, just like the way you move or vault. Even after you shoot an ARC, the way they react feels like they are alive.

One time, I shot down a Wasp from the sky, and the way it spiraled to the ground left me in complete awe of the game’s physics; the smoke trailing from its body, the sparks as it hit the surface, and the way each ARC reacts when shot never feel scripted. It genuinely seems like every movement is driven by dynamic reactions rather than preset patterns, giving each encounter a raw, unpredictable sense of freedom.

And the freedom is not just limited to the gameplay mechanics. You might not have enough space in your bag due to carrying two guns (the maximum amount). However, if you find one after killing an opponent player or near a dead character in the game, you can dismantle it, take all the crafting materials, and craft it again when you go back to Speranza. Every time a player gets knocked down, they shoot a red flare into the sky. It somewhat works as an SOS. You can either help them or be a raider who wants to take others' loot; the choice is yours.

ARC Raiders features a skill tree that allows you to upgrade your mobility, conditioning, and survival skills. The game will punish you for upgrading them from the start, and I learned it the hard way. You can only get a maximum level of 75 in the Skill Tree, which means you can't unlock everything in the game. So, you choose the path for your character, and once you decide, there is no going back. You can't respec the skill points, so you must start from the very beginning.

Skill Tree in ARC Raiders (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming/ Embark Studios)

For example, I focused on increasing my mobility, as movement initially felt a little sluggish. Once that changed, it became a little easier to move around the map. But to be a better raider, I had to focus on my conditioning and survival skills as well. Unlocking each node will grant you a new perk, and you must figure out which ones you want to take.

While this doesn't make the game easier, I like the approach toward the progression path. This made me more invested and treated my character like an actual human being rather than just earning skill points.

Also, it would be a criminal offense not to mention Scrappy here. They added a rooster that collects basic things when you are out on a raid. That's a cute little addition, and I tend to remember Scrappy every time I'm in the Workshop. There is also an option to unstuck yourself if you get stuck on the map due to a glitch. I believe Delta Force had a similar option, but this feature should be included in other games as well.

---

In conclusion

ARC Raiders rating (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming)

As I stated previously, compared to other extraction shooters on the market, I find ARC Raiders to be the most enthralling. If I give the example of Escape from Tarkov, even if the visuals are not debatable, you are more focused on other players in-game. It's the same situation with Delta Force or Call of Duty's failed attempt in DMZ. On the contrary, ARC Raiders invites you into its world, ensuring you feel more at home.

Both the ARC enemies and other players are terrifying. There is a purpose in every loot, every corner you uncover. You decide whether you should take something or not. And the fights are for your life, not your character's.

In every aspect, ARC Raiders feels more like a way of living than just a game, and coming from an extraction shooter, that feels like a shock to me. Every single map is like a place etched in your memories forever, and there is more to come. I tried my best to unearth cracks in a perfect piece of art, and there might be some, but they escaped my eyes. Hence, I'm back on my desk every day, exploring the Rust-belts and waiting to see what more this world has to offer.

---

• Reviewed on: PC (Code provided by Embark Studios)
• Platform(s): PS5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
• Developer(s): Embark Studios
• Publisher(s): Embark Studios
• Release date: October 30, 2025

Are you stuck on today's Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.

Edited by Sijo Samuel Paul