"ARC Raiders: A Satisfactory Gaming Experience"

ARC Raiders is the epitome of an extraction shooter, so familiar and archetypal that it feels like a greatest hits compilation of the genre. If you're a fan of scavenging for resources while dodging PvE enemies and outsmarting PvP players, ARC Raiders is likely to be right up your alley. However, if this genre isn't your cup of tea, there's little here that will change your mind.

This game proudly wears its influences on its sleeve, down to the default melee weapon being a pickaxe—a nod to Fortnite's Battle Bus heroes. For fans of Battle Royale, survival, and extraction games, ARC Raiders will be instantly recognizable. While it doesn't offer much in terms of originality, the game skillfully combines elements from other successful live service games, creating a satisfying and predictable experience.

ARC Raiders - Gamescom 2024 Screenshots

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The objective in each round is straightforward: venture to the surface, gather better loot, and return underground safely. Standing in your way are two main threats. The first is the ARC, AI-controlled battle robots patrolling the map for signs of life. These robots, even the smallest ones, can be surprisingly lethal, particularly when they swarm in groups. As someone with arachnophobia, the spider-like scurriers were particularly unnerving, and the large crawlers are not to be underestimated. ARC bots respond to sounds of movement or combat, making stealth and strategy essential for survival.

The second and perhaps more dangerous threat comes from other players. In ARC Raiders, vigilance is key, as fellow raiders are always looking to exploit any opportunity to steal your loot. It's often more efficient to ambush a well-equipped player than to spend time searching warehouses or waiting at extraction points. The game environment is teeming with "vultures," as famously quoted in Casablanca, making every move a calculated risk.

Combat in ARC Raiders is solid and satisfying. Your third-person avatar moves and controls like those in other modern shooters, with no unexpected quirks. Firearms behave as expected: SMGs are twitchy and hard to control, assault rifles are steady and heavy, and sniper rifles pack a punch. Melee attacks are potent, adding another layer to the combat dynamics.

Playing in teams of three adds strategic depth, allowing for coordinated searches and tactical cover. Firefights between teams evolve into strategic engagements, with squads employing flanking maneuvers and ambushes. Communication and coordination become crucial as you navigate buildings and manage threats from multiple directions.

The game's maps are cleverly designed, drawing players to the most lucrative resource hubs. These areas become hotspots for both loot and conflict, with players often lurking between resource zones and extraction points, ready to pounce on unsuspecting foragers.

The environments in ARC Raiders are functional but unremarkable, reminiscent of other post-apocalyptic settings with their rusty warehouses, abandoned apartments, and overgrown lots. It feels like a gritty version of Fortnite's world, lacking a compelling narrative. However, the game's focus is clearly on the gameplay loop rather than deep storytelling.

Every drawer and cabinet in the game world holds potential treasures: crafting components, ammunition, shields, healing items, and weapons. Ammunition is categorized into light, medium, heavy, and shotgun variants, keeping players engaged in scavenging and crafting. Materials come in various rarities, color-coded to indicate their value and potential for crafting higher-tier items. A special inventory slot allows you to keep one rare item safe even upon death, ensuring you can bring back your best finds.

Some containers require time and generate noise when opened, adding tension to the scavenging experience. This mechanic is particularly nerve-wracking when playing solo, as you're vulnerable to both robots and other players while making noise.

Between rounds, you retreat underground to transform your loot into better gear at crafting tables. You can also sell materials for cash or buy pre-crafted items from in-game stores. There's even an enigmatic crafting element involving a live rooster, which adds a quirky touch to the game.

As you explore the surface, you earn experience points that unlock Skill Trees. These allow you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle, enhancing combat, mobility, or stealth. Each skill upgrade feels meaningful, pushing you to refine your strategy.

Character customization starts off basic, but premium currency unlocks more detailed textures and outfits. My character looked intentionally bleak with the default options, while my multiplayer partner sported a cool ZZ Top-inspired look that I envied.

ARC Raiders previews well, thanks to its familiar design that appeals to fans of the genre. It doesn't reinvent the wheel but offers a well-tuned gameplay loop: loot and fight on the surface, enhance your abilities underground, and return stronger for better gear. It's a reliable way to spend an afternoon, even if it doesn't break new ground.