Arc Raiders Review - An Extraction Shooter that Redefines the Genre

Escape From Tarkov's popularity led to the creation of excellent extraction shooters like Hunt: Showdown and recently Arena: Breakout Infinite and Gray Zone Warfare. Many studios are making efforts to bring an extraction shooter with their own twist in what's becoming an increasingly popular trend. Even Bungie is making one. However, while extraction shooters have slowly become popular worldwide, the genre still struggles to find a balance between casual and intermediate difficulty.

I've played countless shooters so far, and I have never found myself intrigued with extraction shooters. Not that I am unfamiliar with how the games in this genre work, I just couldn't bring myself to have fun by learning or putting in so much time into a game.

But to my surprise, it all changed with Arc Raiders. This new extraction shooter from Embark Studios is packed with dynamic PvPvE extraction shooter gameplay with innovative and easy-to-grasp gameplay mechanics.

I can confidently say that Embark Studios has perfected the formula for a fun extraction shooter that caters to casual and hardcore players alike. 

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Arc Raiders has a very distinct visual identity.

AI Is What Makes It Different

Now, what makes Arc Raiders stand out from other games of the same genre? It's the sheer probability of facing something new every time you are out there on the topside. Moreover, it's the added layer of facing viciously smart and adaptable NPC Arcs alongside other raiders who are just trying to make it out alive like you.

The first thing I loved about Arc Raiders is how challenging and threatening the Arcs are in the game. Embedded with Embark's proprietary AI, the Arcs keep evolving with players every step of the way.

For instance, in a round during the game's server slam, I was making my way out to an extraction point near the Testing Annex in Dam Battlegrounds. I had a genius idea of jumping over a hornet (aerial arc) to skip the climb below, and to my surprise, I did succeed in doing so. However, as I jumped back into the game after its official release, I had the same idea of riding a hornet to skip the whole descent to the extraction point, and this time, the hornet had actually adapted to what I did. It literally spun itself until I fell down to the ground and knocked myself out.

This is just a small example of how brilliant the AI is in Arc Raiders. Larger arcs like the Queen and Baron Husk are even smarter. The larger Arcs in the game are actually one of the most challenging NPCs I have fought against. As you start diving into the game more, you'll soon understand that your biggest threats in this game are not other players or squads, but rather the Arcs.

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The Arcs are your biggest enemy in Arc Raiders.

Friend or Foe?

Taking down larger Arcs in the game requires teamwork from multiple squads, and that's another thing that sets it apart from other extraction shooters. One second, you are planning to fight a squad; the next second, an Arc Queen is closing in on your location, and you have to end up teaming with the other squad to take out the Queen. This might have been the first game where I ended up making friends on the go with random players during my solo runs.

Moving on to the gameplay aspect, Arc Raiders has a mighty good gameplay loop. Unlike other extraction shooters, you actually have the liberty to take your own loadout or rely on the game's free loadout option. The free loadout option is great for solo and loot-focused squad runs. The game actually provides you with items you can use if you select free loadout to take down Arcs and other players if they come for you.

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Use the environment to your advantage in Arc Raiders.

Gunplay Built Differently

The gunplay in Arc Raiders might catch most players off guard for the first time. The game emphasises using the environment to your advantage rather than using your weapon to fight Arcs or other players. Reload times of every weapon are painfully high. Moreover, hitting shots at mid to longer ranges will actually take some time to get used to. Interestingly, you can always avoid taking gunfights by opting for stealth because trust me when I say this, the firing sound for all weapons is super loud. If you choose to fire your weapon, simply understand that other players will home in on your location in no time.

The central focus of this game is the looting mechanic, and honestly Embark Studios does a really good job of making sure that the looting feels rewarding with higher stakes. As a solo player, looting is optimal until you need to breach and search something, as it makes a noise that is audible from longer ranges. However, for squads, looting hits the right spot, as you can always rely on your teammates to watch your back.

Visually, Arc Raiders is breathtakingly beautiful. The game has an underlying Star Wars influence that you will notice if you are a major fan of the space opera franchise. Embark Studios does an excellent job of capturing the feeling of a post-apocalyptic future.

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Arc Raiders is visually stunning.

Character creation and customisation have limited options, but you still get the freedom to make your very own raider. At the start of the game, you'll get the default skin for your raider, but as you keep progressing in the game, you'll get free unlocks. Moreover, there is a Raider deck or battle pass which gives you free items as you keep completing quests and earning points.

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The character creation and customisation have their limitations in Arc Raiders.

The game's progression in the long term is still a matter up for debate. While you get the opportunity to reset everything by opting for the expeditions in the later levels of the game, which act as a sort of manual progression wipe. In a nutshell, there is not much endgame content to chase towards once you reach the max level, with your options being expeditions or hunting down larger Arcs for more loot.

Final Thoughts

Arc Raiders is a genuine work of love from Embark Studios that manages to fill the gap between casual and hardcore gameplay in the extraction shooter genre. The game respects your time by rewarding you with great loot strung alongside an excellent gameplay loop that keeps you hooked for hours on end. The PvPvE aspect of the game really makes the game stand out in a sea of shooters chasing after constant monetisation.

For new entrants and veterans of the extraction shooter genre, Arc Raiders is a solid choice that is well worth the money at its full price. If you're looking for something to play over the upcoming holidays this year, then Arc Raiders is an absolute must-play.