ARC Raiders stands out as the quintessential extraction shooter, embodying the genre's core elements with such familiarity that it borders on the archetypal. If you're a fan of games where the thrill comes from scavenging for resources while dodging both PvE enemies and PvP players, ARC Raiders will feel like a comfortable return to well-trodden ground. However, if this formula doesn't excite you, the game might not offer enough novelty to draw you in.
This game proudly wears its influences on its sleeve, with the hero's default melee weapon—a pickaxe—paying homage to Fortnite's battle bus jumpers. This nod is just the beginning; ARC Raiders feels immediately familiar to anyone versed in Battle Royale, survival games with tree-punching mechanics, or other extraction titles. While originality might be in short supply, the game effectively assembles tried-and-true components into a cohesive and satisfying experience.
ARC Raiders - Gamescom 2024 Screenshots
View 5 Images
The objective each round is straightforward: venture to the surface, gather better loot, and safely return underground. Two primary threats stand in your way. The first are the ARC, AI-controlled battle robots patrolling the map in search of organic life. These robots, ranging from small, spider-like scurriers to larger, formidable crawlers, are a significant danger. They respond to sounds of combat or search and can swarm any detected humans. Defeating an ARC can yield valuable rewards like ammunition and weapon components.
The second and more lethal threat comes from other raiders. As the saying goes, "this place is full of vultures, vultures everywhere." It's often more strategic to ambush a well-equipped player than to spend time scavenging in a warehouse or waiting near an extraction point to intercept someone else's haul. In ARC Raiders, constant vigilance is key.
Combat in ARC Raiders is solid and satisfying. The third-person controls are familiar and responsive, with firearms and melee attacks feeling appropriately powerful. SMGs are lively and challenging to control, assault rifles offer stability and heft, and sniper rifles pack a punch. Playing in teams of three adds strategic depth, allowing coordinated efforts in searching and covering each other, leading to tactical firefights with flanking maneuvers and ambushes.
The game's maps are cleverly designed, drawing players to resource-rich areas where the competition for loot intensifies. These hubs are clearly marked, attracting players and creating hotspots for both resource gathering and potential ambushes.
The environments, while functional, are reminiscent of many post-apocalyptic shooters, featuring rusty warehouses, abandoned buildings, and overgrown lots. Though not particularly immersive or lore-rich, the setting serves its purpose well. ARC Raiders may lack in presentation, but its gameplay loop is engaging: venture out to loot and fight, return underground to enhance your abilities, and repeat the cycle with increasingly powerful gear.
Every drawer and cabinet holds the promise of valuable resources: crafting components, ammunition, shields, healing items, and weapons. Ammunition varieties—light, medium, heavy, and shotgun—keep you engaged in scavenging and crafting. Materials follow a familiar rarity system, color-coded to indicate their value and utility. A special inventory slot ensures you can safeguard one rare item even in death, adding a layer of strategy to your expeditions.
Some containers require time to open and generate noise, heightening the tension, especially when playing solo. This mechanic adds a thrilling vulnerability, as you're exposed to both robotic and human threats while fumbling with locks.
Between rounds, you retreat underground to convert your loot into crafting options at escalating tables, allowing for the creation of more advanced gear. You can also sell materials for cash and buy items from in-game stores. There's even a curious element involving a live rooster in the crafting process, though its purpose remains a mystery to me.
As you explore the surface world, you earn experience that unlocks Skill Trees, enabling you to tailor your avatar to your preferred playstyle. Whether boosting combat prowess, mobility, or stealth, each upgrade feels like meaningful progress.
Character customization starts basic but improves with premium currency, offering better textures and outfits. While my character was intentionally designed to look bleak using default options, my multiplayer partner's character exuded a cool, ZZ Top-inspired vibe, making me a bit envious.
Overall, ARC Raiders previews well due to its conservative design, making it instantly recognizable and accessible. It may not challenge the genre's established norms, but it delivers a satisfying gameplay loop that keeps players engaged. Whether you're looting, fighting, or crafting, ARC Raiders offers a familiar yet enjoyable experience in the extraction shooter genre.
