ARC Raiders: A Satisfactory Gaming Experience

ARC Raiders is a quintessential extraction shooter that embraces its genre with unabashed familiarity. If you're a fan of scavenging resources while dodging both PvE enemies and PvP players, ARC Raiders is likely to captivate you. However, if this gameplay loop doesn't appeal to you, there's little novelty here to sway your opinion.

The game pays homage to its predecessors with a default melee weapon that mirrors the iconic pickaxe from Fortnite, setting the tone for its derivative yet engaging design. Fans of Battle Royale, survival games, and other extraction shooters will find ARC Raiders instantly recognizable, as it seamlessly integrates elements from these genres into a cohesive and satisfying experience.

ARC Raiders - Gamescom 2024 Screenshots

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The core objective of each round is straightforward: venture to the surface, gather superior loot, and return underground safely. You'll face two main threats. The first is the ARC, an array of AI-controlled battle robots patrolling the map. These robots, ranging from small spider-like units to formidable crawlers, pose a significant danger, especially when they detect organic life through sounds of search or combat. Defeating them can yield valuable rewards like ammo and weapon components.

The second, more perilous threat comes from other human raiders. As Humphrey Bogart famously noted in Casablanca, "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 at an extraction point. Vigilance is key, as every other player is likely plotting the same against you.

Combat in ARC Raiders is satisfying, with a control scheme that feels familiar and responsive. Whether using firearms or engaging in melee combat, the game delivers a solid experience. SMGs offer rapid, hard-to-control fire, while assault rifles provide steadier, heavier shots, and sniper rifles pack a powerful punch.

Playing in teams of three adds strategic depth, allowing for coordinated searches and tactical firefights. The maps are designed to draw players towards resource-rich areas, creating hotspots for both loot and potential ambushes.

Arc Raiders - Screenshots and GIFs

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The game's environments, while functional, lack the flair to immerse players in its post-apocalyptic setting. They feel like a blend of Fortnite's vibrancy with the grit of Day Z, but without much narrative depth to engage players in the lore.

Resource management is a key component, with every drawer and cabinet offering potential rewards such as crafting components, ammunition, and weapons. Ammunition types are varied, keeping players engaged in scavenging and crafting. The inventory system includes a special pocket for safeguarding one rare item, ensuring you can retain your best finds even upon death.

Noisy containers add tension to the gameplay, particularly when playing solo. The vulnerability felt when opening these containers, with your camera locked forward, heightens the risk of discovery by other players or robots.

Between rounds, players return underground to upgrade their gear at crafting tables and manage their loot. You can sell items for cash or buy fully crafted gear at in-game stores. A quirky element involves a live rooster in the crafting process, though its exact purpose remains a mystery.

As you explore and survive, you earn experience points that unlock Skill Trees. These allow you to tailor your character's abilities to your preferred playstyle, enhancing combat, mobility, or stealth.

Character customization is limited with default options, but premium currency unlocks better textures and outfits. While the game's design may not push boundaries, its familiar loop of looting, improving, and repeating offers a satisfying experience for fans of the genre.