Embark Studios is about to release its new rustic sci-fi extraction shooter, ARC Raiders, and recently invited journalists, including myself, to participate in a multiplayer session to get a firsthand look at what the game has to offer.
Playing a pre-release PC version of ARC Raiders, I was thrilled to discover that Embark Studios has crafted a compelling looting system. The gameplay challenges you to loot just enough, weighing risks and rewards as you decide whether to engage with other players or the environment, all while trying to escape with as much as you can carry. It’s a tense balancing act that keeps you on your toes.
**A Dystopian World to Explore**
ARC Raiders is set in a world where robots—not humans—rule the surface after driving humanity underground. The surface is devastated and swarming with deadly machines programmed to kill humans on sight. Yet, it’s a treasure trove of materials vital for the survival of those living below.
Here, brave scavengers called Raiders emerge from the underground to brave the hostile surface, collecting scraps and parts to sustain their people. But beware—out on the surface, it’s every Raider for themselves. Alliances are fragile, and sometimes shooting a greedy stranger is the quickest path to securing better loot.
**Gameplay: Solo or Team Extraction**
For the preview, I played both solo and in groups. ARC Raiders is a third-person shooter that drops you into maps featuring low, medium, and high-tier loot zones. Your objective is to gather the highest value loot your backpack can hold and make it to an extraction point alive.
The map is teeming not only with hostile robots but also with other Raiders who share your goal. The game features an in-game proximity voice chat, allowing you to negotiate, form temporary alliances, or bluff your way through tense standoffs. But trust is a gamble—any ally can turn on you at a moment’s notice.
**Robots: A Constant, Intense Threat**
Robots make survival challenging and thrilling. Small drones fly overhead scanning for activity—they will shoot if provoked but mainly warn of your presence. Loud engagements attract far more formidable threats: spider-like hoppers the size of cars that can leap towards you, and heavily armed floating drones equipped with rocket launchers.
Avoiding these powerful enemies, when possible, is wise, but sometimes fighting them off is unavoidable.
**Team Play and Strategic Extractions**
If you prefer not to rely on luck and voice comms in solo mode, ARC Raiders also supports team play. I played a trio round where coordination allowed us to cover more ground and secure better loot before extraction.
Maps vary greatly, often offering multiple escape routes. The standard extraction requires activating an elevator, which takes about 10 seconds to open and emits loud noises—sure to attract enemies and rival Raiders. Some maps feature keys that unlock alternate hatches for a quieter, stealthier escape. Exploring derelict towns, factory districts, and wild areas adds depth and excitement to each session.
**Risk vs. Reward: The Heart of Looting**
Everything in ARC Raiders revolves around loot. Every run rewards you with experience points that let you level up and unlock a vast skill tree. These upgrades enhance your Raider’s abilities, such as base health, looting speed, and weapon handling.
Back in the hub, you can use gathered loot to complete quests that advance the story or improve crafting and supply lines. Crafting is vital; it allows you to rapidly equip new weapons or personal shields to jump right back into the action after a loss.
Dying in the field means losing everything you carried, which adds significant tension to every run. Fortunately, a “Free Gun Kit” option equips you with a random weapon, shield, and backpack for your next attempt, helping you bounce back without worrying about losing your gear.
**Guns and Gear**
Guns in ARC Raiders scale in power and variety as you discover higher-tier weapons and attachments. However, they’re fragile investments—you risk losing them if you die before extracting. In one intense moment, I had amassed a hefty haul, only to be ambushed seconds before reaching the elevator and lost it all. While infuriating, the thrill of successfully escaping with a big haul is exhilarating—and ambush victories are just as rewarding.
**Final Impressions**
I was impressed by ARC Raiders in all the ways I want an extraction shooter to impress. Embark Studios has built a solid ecosystem that caters to different playstyles. Whether you play sly and sneaky, quietly looting smaller hauls, or dive head-first into high-risk zones facing both greedy Raiders and relentless robots, there are meaningful rewards.
The gunplay is satisfying, the maps are varied and fun to explore, and the constant risk of losing everything keeps the adrenaline pumping. More than anything, it’s the thrill of a high-stakes escape with valuable loot that makes ARC Raiders stand out.
If other players share this excitement when Embark Studios launches the game, they might just have a winner on their hands.
**Release Details**
These impressions are based on an early PC build supplied by the publisher. ARC Raiders is scheduled for release on October 30, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Stay tuned, Raiders—adventure and peril await on the surface!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146564/arc-raiders-hands-on-multiplayer-preview