“ARC Raiders” is one of those rare games that I love, hate and love to hate.
The loop of exploring gorgeously detailed retro-futuristic ruins of a world that draws heavily on grungy 70s and 80s sci-fi, to scrounge for loot and dodge the sleek, deadly robots that have taken over Earth’s surface, can be a blissful, almost contemplative experience.
Then you’ll run headfirst into one of the 15-20 other players in the match, injecting a dash of chaos into the game. They could be an ally, a passerby or the biggest danger on the map.
Set in the distant future, “ARC Raiders” is an extraction shooter set in a world overrun by the mysterious, hive-like ARC robots that have forced Earth’s remaining population to seek safety deep underground in Speranza. You play as one of the eponymous raiders, whose job it is to venture to the surface to find loot and get back alive by extracting in the 30-minute window before the real big, bad robots show up.
For me, extraction shooters have always been an intriguing yet intimidating concept in games. The core gameplay loop of “get in, loot and get out” is neat, but the harsh consequences for not getting out — namely, losing what you’ve looted along with any supplies you brought in — make it a daunting experience. It’s a distinct break from games where your personal gear is untouchable by other players, but it amps up the tension.
But “ARC Raiders” makes many small tweaks to the formula, making it more approachable.
First, while dying out in the field means you’ll lose everything save for whatever you stashed in the single safe slot, it doesn’t necessarily send you back to nothing. You’ll always have the option to deploy with a free loadout, which will come with a random gun and an adequate amount of supplies, to get on your feet. It’s also a nice option when you’re just setting out to explore a new area and don’t want to risk your upgraded weapons.
Plus, the game is pretty generous with the loot when you do make it back, meaning you’ll more often than not have a completely full stash and plenty of coins to spend at the traders to gear back up.
As for player-versus-player conflict, I’ve found it mostly happens in games where people deploy in groups (you can play in trios). Those matches very much have a more “shoot now, ask questions later” vibe — a reality I learned the hard way when my team got caught out in the open, sandwiched between two other groups of hostile raiders, and I had to say goodbye to my prized sniper rifle.
When playing solo, you’ll be matched with other solo players, and encounters will more often than not be marked by players hitting the “Don’t Shoot” emote on the handy quick-communication wheel, letting you pass by unharmed and even sometimes working together to take down a big bad ARC robot.
And frankly, I like the feel of playing solo. It allows you to play at your own pace, be a little more sneaky around the ARC and, importantly, keep all the loot for yourself.
Still, getting blasted just as you’re stepping out of the room packed to the gills with loot can be a really deflating moment. I’ve had to step away from the game after getting skunked particularly badly on a few runs, but at the very least, each encounter that goes sideways is an opportunity to learn and get better for the next expedition.
The combination of the quiet, almost-serene expanse of ruins, lurking robots and the ever-present danger of other players who might shoot first and ask questions later makes it one of the more tense games I’ve ever played. And that’s both good and bad.
For me, I liken it to watching a tense, high-concept drama series while something like the consistently explosion-y “Battlefield 6” is more of a popcorn action movie. The fact that my playtime with “Battlefield 6” is about five times higher than “ARC Raiders” is probably pretty telling where my head’s been at for the last few months.
Still, what I really like about “ARC Raiders” and what keeps me coming back is that so much of it plays at the pace you set for yourself.
With so many ever-present dangers lurking for you, getting back in one piece is an achievement in its own right and any loot you find along the way or tasks you complete are just icing on the cake. Each deployment to the surface can unfold in surprising ways, turning what may have been a routine trip to find medical supplies into a high-stakes shootout or a legendary run after you stumble into a hidden cache of goodies.
And, heck, if you’re like my brother and his friends and like to play as a raider hassling other players, then there are plenty of opportunities for that. Entering those fights intentionally — rather than getting shot in the back by someone you thought was just passing by — can be great fun, making for particularly exhilarating moments when you do come out on top.
See you in the Rust Belt, raider.
Tech notes:
Game: ARC Raiders
Rating: ★★★★☆
Platforms: PC (reviewed), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Price: $40
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2025
Connectivity: Unlike “Battlefield 6,” which is buttery smooth on Alaska’s not-always-consistent internet connection, I have noticed a few hiccups here and there with “ARC Raiders,” where lag can be a bit of an issue. Finding a new usually match helps.