ARC Raiders is the quintessential extraction shooter, embodying the genre's essence with such familiarity that it feels like a greatest hits collection of its predecessors. For those who revel in the thrill of scavenging while dodging PvE enemies and outsmarting PvP players, ARC Raiders is a game you'll likely enjoy. However, if this genre isn't your cup of tea, ARC Raiders might not offer the novelty to sway your interest.
The game proudly wears its influences on its sleeve, with the hero's default melee weapon—a pickaxe—echoing the iconic tool of Fortnite's Battle Bus jumpers. This homage is just the beginning; ARC Raiders feels like a seamless blend of Battle Royale, survival, and extraction elements, borrowing heavily from successful live service games. While originality might be scarce, the familiar components mesh well, delivering a satisfying experience.
ARC Raiders - Gamescom 2024 Screenshots
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Each round's objective is straightforward: venture to the surface, gather better loot, and return underground alive. Two primary threats stand in your way. First, the ARC—AI-controlled battle robots that patrol the map, hunting for any signs of life. These robots, even the smallest ones, can be deceptively dangerous, especially when encountered in groups. For arachnophobes like myself, the spider-like scurriers are particularly unnerving, and the larger crawlers are formidable adversaries. The ARC's ability to detect and swarm players adds a layer of tension, but defeating them can yield valuable rewards like ammo and weapon components.
The second, and perhaps more perilous, threat comes from other players. In the world of ARC Raiders, as Humphrey Bogart might say in Casablanca, "this place is full of vultures, vultures everywhere." It's often more strategic to ambush a distracted player with good loot than to spend time scavenging in a warehouse or lurking near extraction points. This constant vigilance against fellow raiders adds a thrilling dynamic to the gameplay.
Combat in ARC Raiders is competently designed, offering a satisfying experience. The third-person controls are intuitive and familiar, with bullets behaving as expected based on your chosen weapon. Melee attacks pack a punch, and firearms feel authentic—SMGs are hard to control, assault rifles are steady, and sniper rifles deliver powerful hits.
Playing in teams of three adds strategic depth, allowing for coordinated searches and covering each other's backs. Team-based firefights evolve into tactical engagements, with squads deploying flanking maneuvers and ambushes. The tension is palpable as you communicate with your team, covering all angles in a building.
The game's maps are cleverly designed, drawing players to the most lucrative resource hubs. These areas become hotspots for both loot and potential ambushes, creating a constant tug-of-war between risk and reward.
The environments are functional, featuring typical post-apocalyptic settings like rusty warehouses and abandoned buildings. While the visuals might not be groundbreaking, they serve their purpose. The focus here is less on lore and more on the gameplay loop, which can be likened to a hearty meatloaf—simple but satisfying.
Every drawer and cabinet holds potential treasures, from crafting components to weapons and healing items. Ammunition is categorized into light, medium, heavy, and shotgun variants, adding to the scavenging challenge. Materials have varying levels of rarity, enabling the creation of more powerful items. A special inventory pocket allows you to keep one rare item safe even upon death, ensuring you can bring back your best finds.
Opening certain containers generates noise, heightening the tension, especially when playing solo. The vulnerability of being locked in one position while making noise adds an exhilarating risk to the game.
Between rounds, you retreat underground to upgrade your gear at crafting tables. You can also sell materials for cash or buy pre-made items from in-game stores. There's even a curious element involving a live rooster, though its purpose remains a mystery to me.
As you explore the surface, you earn experience that unlocks Skill Trees. These allow you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle, enhancing combat, mobility, or stealth. Each upgrade feels meaningful, contributing to a sense of progression.
Character customization starts basic but improves with premium currency, unlocking better textures and outfits. I chose to make my character look as bleak as possible with default options, while my partner sported a stylish ZZ Top-inspired look, making me quite jealous.
Overall, ARC Raiders previews well, thanks to its familiar design. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to. The game's loop—looting on the surface, upgrading underground, and returning stronger—is well-tuned and enjoyable. For fans of the genre, ARC Raiders offers a solid, if not groundbreaking, experience.
