ARC Raiders

About ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Embark Studios and was released on November 22, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

ARC Raiders is a free-to-play, reimagined, cooperative action shooter that offers an intense struggle in every session: together with your squad, defend our home and resist the onslaught of ARC – a ruthless mechanized threat descending from space.

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Reviews

88%Audience ScoreBased on 89,468 reviews

gameplay2.9k positive mentions

grinding734 negative mentions

The atmosphere, visuals, and sound design are top-notch, creating an immersive and captivating experience.
The game offers great replayability with dynamic gameplay and unpredictable encounters that keep sessions feeling fresh.
The humor and engaging interactions foster memorable moments among players, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

The quests are often repetitive and lack depth, reducing the narrative experience to simple fetch tasks.
The competitive PvP elements detract from the initially cooperative atmosphere, leading to frustration among players.
The monetization model is criticized for being aggressive, with high prices for cosmetic items in a game that already costs money.

gameplay
6,455 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44% positive mentions, 52% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions
The gameplay of "Arc Raiders" has received a mix of praise and criticism, highlighting its engaging mechanics, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design. Players appreciate the cooperative elements and the thrill of navigating both PvE and PvP encounters, which create a dynamic and unpredictable experience. However, concerns about repetitive gameplay, toxic player behavior, and balance issues have been noted, particularly regarding the extraction mechanics and the impact of PvP on the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, while many find the gameplay addictive and fun, others feel it can become stale and frustrating over time.
- “The polish, the creativity, the clever gameplay systems… you can feel the passion of the developers in every detail.”
- “The way characters vault, dodge, and interact with the environment adds a layer of polish that makes gameplay feel smooth and responsive.”
- “The cooperative gameplay loop, combined with the thrill of taking down massive enemies or even small enemies like a hornet, all while trying to loot and find items that progress the story and quests keeps me engaged and eager for more.”
- “The gameplay loop just doesn't have enough to keep me interested.”
- “The gameplay is boring, repetitive, and quickly becomes monotonous.”
- “The gameplay loop is really pointless (you could argue the same for all games) but extraction shooters really take the cake for pointless gameplay.”
graphics
4,245 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64% positive mentions, 35% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The graphics of "Arc Raiders" have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals and immersive art style that effectively blend retro-futuristic aesthetics with detailed environments. Players have noted the game's impressive optimization, allowing it to run smoothly even on mid-range hardware, while the sound design complements the visuals to create a captivating atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are consistently described as top-tier, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersive experience.
- “Amazing graphics that will push your system.”
- “Unreal Engine 5 delivers visuals so insane you’ll stop mid-raid just to stare: breathing ruins, dust-choked fog, rays of light cutting through the haze, and massive arc machines that look like they crawled out of an H.R. Giger painting.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay feels polished, and you can really tell the team poured their heart into it.”
- “The game is fun to play, but just recently I got killed by the queen through the graphics of the building. There are a lot of weird bugs in this game, like how can when a queen shot her laser fire get through a wall???”
- “Graphics are broken, visibility and audio is trash.”
- “The graphics are dull and washed out, generic in almost every conceivable way.”
story
3,852 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16% positive mentions, 77% neutral mentions, 7% negative mentions
The story aspect of "Arc Raiders" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the intriguing lore and environmental storytelling that unfolds through quests, many criticize the quests themselves as repetitive and lacking depth, often reduced to simple fetch tasks with minimal rewards. The game's narrative is seen as thin, with players expressing frustration over the disconnect between the story's premise of humanity uniting against robotic threats and the prevalent player-versus-player (PvP) dynamics that undermine cooperative gameplay. Overall, while the game offers a compelling setting and potential for storytelling, the execution of its quests and narrative elements leaves much to be desired.
- “The story, atmosphere, and sound design are top-notch.”
- “Every raid becomes its own story — sometimes you sneak through areas unnoticed, other times you end up sprinting for extraction with enemies chasing you.”
- “The quests give players something to do beyond daily tasks, a reason to visit specific maps and areas in those maps, and uncover the story of the game.”
- “The biggest issue is the underlying story.”
- “The story is also painfully dull — you don’t care about anything happening.”
- “The quests are go here and hold E, go loot this, or go kill this... it's always one of those three.”
optimization
1,917 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59% positive mentions, 36% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions
The optimization of "Arc Raiders" has received widespread acclaim, with many players noting its impressive performance across a range of hardware, including older systems. Reviewers highlight the game's smooth frame rates, minimal bugs, and stunning graphics, particularly for a title built on Unreal Engine 5, which is often criticized for poor optimization. Overall, the game is praised for its polished experience, making it a standout example of effective optimization in modern gaming.
- “The optimization is incredible, along with the beautiful maps and effects this game is, like I said before, absolute cinema.”
- “The game is very well optimized, offering high framerates and stability right out of the box.”
- “This game is so well optimized that it runs at 60fps on my thinkpad (ryzen 7 7000) without a discreet gpu.”
- “This game is horrendously optimized, people are glazing this shit out of this game when there are so many glaring issues.”
- “The game is just terribly optimized like most games these days.”
- “I really like the gameplay, mechanics, and features, but the poor performance is a dealbreaker for me.”
atmosphere
1,884 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61% positive mentions, 38% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Arc Raiders" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and unique retro-futuristic aesthetic, creating a captivating and tense environment that enhances gameplay. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of adventure and danger, with dynamic weather and environmental storytelling contributing to a rich, atmospheric experience. However, some reviews note that the competitive PvP elements can detract from the initially cooperative atmosphere, leading to a mix of tension and frustration in player interactions. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest features, making it a standout in the extraction shooter genre.
- “The world is gorgeous, the atmosphere is unique, and every session feels like an epic adventure.”
- “From the atmospheric background score to the punchy effects of weapons and explosions, every sound feels meticulously crafted to heighten immersion.”
- “The atmosphere, the teamwork, and the constant tension of each encounter make every session feel fresh and rewarding.”
- “The game's initial friendly atmosphere is rapidly devolving into the free-for-all PvP that other extraction shooters are known for.”
- “The first week tension and friendly attitudes have all dissolved into immediate shoot on sight whilst hiding third person in a bush, behind a wall, behind a wall with a remote C4 detonator, and the items they appear to be adding are only going to add to this lack-of-skill toxic atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere feels straight out of a movie, and then, boom, arc descend from the sky and all hell breaks loose.”
music
846 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51% positive mentions, 48% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The music in "Arc Raiders" has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, with many players praising its retro-futuristic synth-heavy soundtrack that enhances the game's tension and cinematic feel. The sound design complements the gameplay effectively, creating a vibrant audio landscape that draws players into its world. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the gaming experience and contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Every encounter with the arc feels meaningful and intense, and the sound design alone is worth the download — seriously, the soundtrack and effects are next level.”
- “The soundtrack needs special mention—its synth-heavy energy builds tension, sells the world’s tone, and makes even basic looting runs feel cinematic.”
- “The music, sound design, community, story, gunplay is just top tier and I believe if these elements weren't then this game wouldn't be so hot right now!”
- “The music is all boring electro garbage, gameplay consists of managing stamina and waiting for your character to perform animations.”
- “The soundtrack is just stupid bleeps and bloops (probably enough to make the sensory autism of a redditor go off).”
- “The music, the sound design, the world.”
grinding
802 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
0% positive mentions, 8% neutral mentions, 92% negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, often feeling that the rewards do not justify the effort. While some appreciate the grind as a means to enhance gameplay and progression, others criticize it for being overly punishing, especially in a PvP context where hard-earned gear can be lost in moments. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is integral to the experience, it can detract from enjoyment due to its repetitive nature and the high stakes involved.
- “I was unprepared for it; it has a lot of depth and replayability as long as you aren't grinding 12 hours a day.”
- “The loot loop feels meaningful and not grindy.”
- “You’re not grinding for meaningless numbers; you’re actually improving your efficiency and survival instincts.”
- “Grinding for minimal gain.”
- “Overall the game's progression feels unnecessarily grindy, to a point it feels silly.”
- “The game becomes repetitive after a few weeks because you’re constantly farming blueprints that almost never drop.”
humor
660 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, largely driven by the engaging proximity chat that fosters hilarious interactions and unexpected moments among players. Many users highlight the chaotic and often absurd scenarios that arise during gameplay, from comical betrayals to amusing encounters with both players and AI enemies. Overall, the game's blend of tension and humor creates a memorable experience, making it a favorite for those who enjoy lighthearted, unpredictable multiplayer action.
- “This game is hilarious, fun, and has a great dev team behind it.”
- “Every session ends with us recounting unique, funny, and intense moments our raids had, and those stories stick with us as we share clips and retell them to our other friends.”
- “The proximity chat that lets you talk with others is a really good addition and can lead to very funny and sometimes intense moments.”
- “This game truly brings out the most unfunny, cringe-worthy, sweaty Australians you can find in all of gaming.”
- “The clinic is the worst one, because Lance is the most arrogant and unfunny character, which is a waste, because having an AI doctor in Speranza has potential, but all he has is one-liners.”
- “Running around and looting is not really fun, and I don't find it enjoyable to get killed by some kid who then moans some unfunny weird stuff while wiping me.”
stability
578 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41% positive mentions, 1% neutral mentions, 58% negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report that the game runs well and is visually impressive, a significant number have experienced various bugs, glitches, and connection issues that can disrupt gameplay. Common complaints include freezing, desync problems, and exploits that affect balance, indicating that while the game shows promise, it still requires further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience.
- “It's very well optimized, it runs great, and it's fun as all get out.”
- “The game is well optimized and runs great on my PC, the sound is great, and each run feels completely different.”
- “The game runs great, looks fantastic, and is surprisingly well optimized for a new game.”
- “However, every match I get an arex0003 connection error which makes my raider helpless for around 3 minutes until I reconnect (if I haven't been killed by arc or raiders). I have tried every troubleshooting tutorial I could find and nothing works.”
- “The game is buggy, not horrendously, but things like not connecting to the match if ray tracing is on, being able to see through walls if you're too close, getting stuck in geometry and having to reset (so say goodbye to all your loot and gear), or getting stuck in animation loops for quest-necessary activities.”
- “Game crashes constantly and in-game glitches hard where you can't see items.”
monetization
500 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9% positive mentions, 64% neutral mentions, 27% negative mentions
The monetization model in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the high prices of cosmetic microtransactions in a $40 game, often likening it to free-to-play practices. While some appreciate that the game does not feature pay-to-win mechanics and allows players to earn premium currency through gameplay, others feel that the overall monetization is aggressive and detracts from the experience. Overall, the sentiment leans towards a desire for more reasonable pricing and less intrusive monetization strategies.
- “At the moment, the only monetization is a premium currency for raider skins, nothing pay-to-win.”
- “In a gaming landscape crowded with predatory monetization, Arc Raiders does something refreshing: there is a zero pay-to-win system.”
- “The monetization is fair, and it’s refreshing that the game isn’t drowning you in microtransactions.”
- “The monetization is insultingly greedy, charging real money for extra slots and overpriced cosmetics in a game that already costs too much.”
- “The monetization feels unnecessarily aggressive, and tying actual equipment and items to the battle pass just makes it worse.”
- “The only issue I have is the microtransactions in the game.”
emotional
388 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Arc Raiders" is characterized by a unique blend of wholesome interactions and intense, often heartbreaking moments. Players frequently report experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, from camaraderie and support among strangers to feelings of betrayal and loss, particularly when losing gear. The community is largely described as friendly and cooperative, fostering memorable encounters that can evoke genuine emotional responses, making the game both engaging and emotionally taxing.
- “This game is an emotional rollercoaster.”
- “I love the wholesome people, I love the toxic people.”
- “Every match writes its own epic tale of survival, greed, heroism, or heartbreaking loss.”
replayability
195 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49% positive mentions, 49% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
The game's replayability is a significant highlight, with many players praising its dynamic gameplay, unpredictable encounters, and varied scenarios that keep each session feeling fresh. While some users express concerns about potential long-term replayability due to repetitive elements, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich and engaging experience that encourages repeated play, especially in cooperative modes. Many reviews note that the combination of player interactions, diverse maps, and customizable loadouts contributes to its high replay value.
- “This game has great replayability, great sense of suspense whether you're fighting PvP or PvE.”
- “The gameplay loop is simply lovely; the amount of replayability the maps on launch have is mind-boggling, as well as the modifiers they have tied to each one of them.”
- “Arc Raiders delivers exactly what it promises: an intense, stylish, and endlessly replayable sci-fi co-op experience.”
- “40 bucks for about 20 hours of quests (boring fetch quests), is poor and unreplayable value.”
- “Going back and killing the queen again isn’t gonna be fun outside of maybe 1-3 times; there’s no replay value after you’ve gotten the best loot.”
- “I can already tell that the replayability of this game is low after a certain amount of time.”
character development
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19% positive mentions, 70% neutral mentions, 11% negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the character design as uninspired, generic, and overly androgynous, leading to a lack of distinctiveness among characters. While some appreciate the unique aesthetic and immersive world, others feel that the limited customization options and perceived "woke" influences detract from the overall experience. Overall, there is a consensus that character development could benefit from deeper customization and more engaging design choices to enhance player immersion and satisfaction.
- “I actually like how the character design and outfits are non-typical, imperfect perfection.”
- “Insane character development arc during the past 7 days of playing.”
- “The graphics, sound design, and character design are insanely good.”
- “The character design continues the ongoing trend of uninspired, ugly, millennial design we've seen from the likes of Starfield and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.”
- “Character development is an illusion; there's no 'role-playing' really, it's just go out and scavenge.”
- “The character designs are generic, and the traders/quest givers are annoying with few repeated Marvel humor voice lines.”