ARC Raiders: Why it Almost Became GOTY

I owe this review to the wave of requests that came in after ARC Raiders launched. Believe me, I was all set to stay glued to Cyberpunk 2077, especially since I just upgraded to a 9070 XT and the game looks absolutely stunning now with maxed out Ray Tracing at 1440p. Night City has had my full attention. But enough of you kept asking for my take on ARC Raiders that I couldn’t ignore it. So here we are.

ARC Raiders: What’s the Game?

ARC Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. Released in 2025, it offers a PvPvE experience: on each run you face off not just against other players, but also a dangerous and unpredictable AI threat in the form of robotic enemies (“ARCs”). The tension is real, one wrong move and you could lose everything you carried into the raid.

After extraction, surviving Raiders return to a hub where they can sell loot, craft weapons or gear, upgrade skills and prepare for future missions.

Why It’s Getting So Much Hype

Reviews and early player feedback praise ARC Raiders for being one of the most polished and engaging extraction shooters in recent years. Critics have called it immersive, intense, and unpredictable, qualities that make every raid feel like a unique story. The gunplay is described as weighty and satisfying, where each encounter demands attention and skill rather than spray-and-pray reflexes.

The enemy AI deserves special mention: the ARCs don’t just mindlessly wander – they adapt, flank, coordinate and hunt you down. This transforms raids into tense, unpredictable affairs where stealth, planning, and adaptability often matter more than being trigger-happy. Traversal and movement also enhance the experience, with fluid animations and mobility that keep action dynamic and engaging.

Moreover, the game has struck a balance between risk and reward. While losing a raid can cost you your loot, the progression and crafting systems are forgiving enough to keep things fair – even failed runs contribute toward skill growth or gear refinement.

The Drawbacks – Especially If You’re Solo or Looking for Longevity

That said, ARC Raiders isn’t without its flaws. For one, players going solo may find the experience more punishing: without teammates, survival becomes significantly harder, and extraction-shooter mechanics can feel unforgiving.  Some aspects of the design – such as user interface quirks, inventory menus, or crafting workflow – have drawn some criticism, particularly from people who prefer a smoother, less cumbersome experience.

Beyond that, extraction shooters tend to walk a delicate line between tension and repetition. For players who crave variety, there’s a risk that after many raids, the loop might start to feel familiar – especially if you lean more toward cautious, safe runs rather than high-stakes gambles.

What It Feels Like Compared to a Narrative-Heavy Game (Yes, I’m Thinking Cyberpunk 2077)

Coming from Cyberpunk 2077 – a game rich in story, characters, world-building, and atmosphere – ARC Raiders delivers a different kind of satisfaction. Where Cyberpunk enthralls with narrative and sprawling cityscapes, ARC thrives on emergent moments, player-driven stories, high tension, and unpredictability. Every raid feels risky; every extraction feels earned.

If you enjoy spontaneity, uncertainty, and the thrill of not knowing whether you’ll make it out alive – then ARC offers something that story-driven games often don’t: raw, unscripted intensity. But if you crave deep lore, character-driven arcs, or a structured narrative, ARC might feel hollow by comparison. For me, switching between these two games is like toggling between two different moods – both compelling, but for different reasons.

Final Verdict – A Strong Shooter With Room to Grow

ARC Raiders stands out as a compelling, technically polished extraction shooter that many players will find hard to quit. Its strengths – unpredictable AI, satisfying gunplay, tension-filled raids, and balanced progression – make it a refreshing entry in the genre. It shows the potential to become a standout multiplayer experience, especially for groups of friends or players who enjoy taking risks.

Yet it remains a game with caveats. Solo players or those averse to repeated extraction-run gameplay may find the steep learning curve and loss-heavy nature of raids discouraging. Longevity might depend heavily on how engaged the player community remains, and how smartly future updates expand maps, enemy variety, and content depth.

So while Cyberpunk 2077 still holds me captive with its neon-soaked streets and story-rich chaos, I can’t deny that ARC Raiders has earned its spot in my rotation – and deservedly so, even if it took a plea from you all to get me off Night City long enough to talk about it.