By GameNautica | Updated November 2025
Embark Studios, the team behind The Finals, is back with Arc Raiders — an extraction shooter that mixes PvP and PvE on a ravaged Earth ruled by machines. Originally planned as a free-to-play project, it’s now a premium $40 release on PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
🛰️ What is Arc Raiders?
You play as a raider venturing topside to loot gear, fight off robotic threats, and sometimes other players. Survive and extract successfully, and you keep your loot. Die before extraction, and you lose everything.
It’s a third-person shooter set across large open maps — dense forests, rooftops, swamps, and abandoned towns. You’ll face both AI machines (the ARCs) and opportunistic players ready to ambush you.
⚙️ Gameplay and Progression
After a short tutorial you build your character and drop into your first raid. The loop is simple: loot, fight or hide, extract, repeat.
At launch there are four expansive maps, each with variations like night runs and weather effects to shake up tactics. Between raids you’ll spend plenty of time crafting weapons and gear, upgrading workbenches, and scrolling through vendor menus. It can be overwhelming, but that’s part of the extraction-shooter grind.
Gunplay feels excellent. Weapons kick with satisfying recoil, sound effects are crisp, and every firefight matters. Movement and noise discipline are key — alarms, birds, or even a bumped car can reveal your position.
The robots can feel uneven; some melt fast while others sponge bullets. But the tension of never knowing what’s waiting around the corner keeps things fun.
The social side adds even more unpredictability. With proximity chat, you can shout “Friendly!” or bluff your way through encounters — sometimes forming alliances, sometimes eating bullets.
🎮 Beginner Tips
- Start cheap: Use the free starter loadout until you know the maps. Don’t risk your best gear early.
- Upgrade workbenches early: They unlock better crafting and attachments.
- Play the sound game: Use noise as distraction or cover, but remember it works both ways.
- Know when to leave: Greed kills; extract early if you’ve got enough loot.
- Pick your fights: Not every enemy or player is worth it.
- Prioritize mobility: Extra stamina and quieter footsteps save lives more than raw firepower.
💰 Price, Platforms, and Key Info
- Price: $40 USD (base game)
- Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Developer / Publisher: Embark Studios
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Release date: October 30 2025
Performance on PC is great so far — smooth frame rates and stable servers, which is a rarity for modern online launches.
🧭 Roadmap and Future Content
Embark Studios has already outlined post-launch content:
- A new map arriving in November.
- Seasonal “Raider Deck” events and a battle pass planned for December.
- Additional ARC enemy types, expanded quests, and balance updates.
It’s clear this isn’t a one-and-done release; the devs plan to support it long term.
🔍 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Tight, weighty gunplay and great sound design
- Huge maps with weather and day/night variety
- Stable servers and solid performance
- Active roadmap and community support
Cons
- Menu-heavy crafting loop can be tedious
- Some AI enemies feel inconsistent in difficulty
- Basic character creator
- Losing gear after death can frustrate casual players
✅ Final Thoughts
Arc Raiders doesn’t reinvent extraction shooters, but it executes the formula really well.
If you love tense firefights, risky loot runs, and the thrill of escaping with your haul, it’s worth the price.
If you hate losing progress or navigating endless menus, you might want to wait for a few quality-of-life updates.
Still, with friends on comms and a good plan, Arc Raiders delivers that “one more raid” rush perfectly.
📌 TL;DR
Verdict: A tense, polished extraction shooter with great gunplay and atmosphere. Rough around the edges, but easy to lose hours to.
Score: 8/10 – “Loot, survive, repeat.”
❓ FAQ
Can you play Arc Raiders solo?
Yes, but teamwork is heavily rewarded — solo runs are tougher but possible.
Does it support cross-play?
Yes. PC, PS5, and Xbox players can all squad up or face off together.
What happens when you die before extraction?
You lose the gear you brought in; anything successfully extracted stays in your stash.
Is Arc Raiders free-to-play?
No, it’s a premium title priced at $40.
🎮 Ready to drop topside?
Get your copy of Arc Raiders on Instant Gaming for a discounted Steam key.
It’s my affiliate link — no extra cost to you, but it supports GameNautica and keeps the coffee flowing while I test the next patch.
Ready to dive in? Grab Arc Raiders on Steam, PS5, or Xbox and test your survival instincts.
Keep GameNautica bookmarked — full loadout and map guides are coming soon.
