I went into ARC Raiders mostly curious about how it actually feels to drop into a run. The setup sounded cool, sure, but I wanted to see how it handled once I was on the surface with a basic kit and a rough idea of what might be waiting. The game doesn’t waste time showing you what kind of place you’ve stepped into. You pop out of that tube and it hits you fast. It’s quiet until it isn’t, and that shift sets the mood better than any cutscene ever could.
The first thing that stood out to me was how careful I felt right away. Not nervous. Just aware. Every sound makes you think for a second. Every building looks like it might hide something useful or something that wants you gone. That’s when the game clicked for me. You don’t just sprint around like you do in most shooters. You move with intention because the game pushes you to play that way without saying a word.
And yeah, those early moments had me talking out loud even when I wasn’t in a squad. Little things like “okay, not going over there” or “someone’s definitely close.” That’s the kind of energy ARC Raiders brings, and this ARC Raiders review breaks down how that carries through the entire experience.
ARC Raiders Details
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Developer: Embark Studios
Publisher: Embark Studios
Genre: Third-person extraction shooter
Available game modes: Multiplayer co-op
ESRB Rating: Teen
A World Built on Nerves and Scrap
ARC Raiders drops you into a world where people live beneath the surface because the machines above have made everything unpredictable. The setup is simple, but it works because the game doesn’t try to over-explain anything. You get the basics, you meet a few characters in the underground hub, and you start to get a feel for how this place keeps going. It’s a community that relies on raiders heading topside to bring back whatever they can. That loop fits the world in a clean way.
You move through the underground space and see how everything ties together. Traders, workbenches, and small details give the city its own rhythm. It’s quiet in a way that almost makes you forget what’s waiting above. That shift between calm and chaos is one of the reasons the world feels consistent.
The surface tells a different story. It’s worn down and scattered with old structures and wrecked machines. You can tell things didn’t fall apart overnight. I found myself stopping for a second during one of my early runs because the place just looked tired. Not dramatic, just tired in a believable way. It helped me settle into the idea that every trip up there comes with risk.
The ARC forces shape everything. Their patrols, the sounds they make, and the way they move build more atmosphere than any cutscene could. You start to understand the world by how you react to it. ARC Raiders doesn’t rely on a long narrative. It uses its environment to carry the story, and that approach fits the game’s pace well.
Runs That Can Turn on You Fast
ARC Raiders builds its loop around short bursts of tension and quick decisions. You head to the surface with a small kit, look for gear, and decide how far you want to push things before heading back. It sounds simple, but the game keeps you thinking every step of the way. You listen for patrols, check corners, and watch the horizon for signs of trouble. Even when things feel calm, you know it can change fast.
The way the surface reacts to noise is what gives the game its personality. Opening a crate, firing a gun, or even moving too quickly can draw ARC units toward you. They patrol, scan, and shift toward anything that sounds out of place. That pressure gives each moment a bit of weight. I had one run where I fired a single shot at a drone and thought I was clear. A few seconds later, more ARC units pushed in from different angles and boxed me into a small building. It felt rough, but it also showed how quickly things can fall apart if you get careless.
Encounters with other raiders keep things unpredictable. Some rush in. Some back off. Some grab their loot and disappear without a word. It feels natural for this kind of game. Crafting ties everything together since every bit of gear matters. You rebuild, upgrade, and get ready for the next round. ARC Raiders uses that rhythm well, giving each run its own small story without forcing anything.
Sights and Sounds That Keep You Alert
ARC Raiders has a look and sound that fits the kind of game it wants to be. The world feels worn and scattered, with old structures, broken machines, and stretches of land that feel like they’ve seen better days. It’s rough in a way that supports the game’s tension instead of trying to impress you with flashy details. The visuals stay consistent from one run to the next, which makes it easy to read the environment and spot things you might need. I liked that I never had to fight the scenery to understand what was going on.
The sound work stands out just as much. Footsteps, distant metal clanks, and the hum of ARC units moving around help you figure out what might be waiting ahead. It all feeds into the pace of each run. There was a moment when I stepped out of a small shack and heard a faint mechanical buzz behind me. I turned around and spotted an ARC unit sliding through the debris. That small sound saved me from walking straight into trouble.
Lighting also plays a big role. Some areas are wide open and clear, while others feel cramped or dim. You learn to treat darker spots with more caution. It adds a natural layer of tension without feeling forced. ARC Raiders keeps everything readable and steady, which helps the game stay focused on the action. The presentation supports the gameplay without getting in the way, and that balance works well for the kind of experience the game builds.
Squads, Close Calls, and Weird Encounters
Multiplayer sits at the centre of ARC Raiders and gives the game much of its personality. You drop into runs with two teammates, and the game lets you figure out your rhythm together without forcing any strict roles. Some squads move quickly, others take a slower path, and both approaches work as long as everyone pays attention. Communication helps, but even short callouts or simple pings get the job done when things start to shift around you.
The mix of raiders and ARC units keeps every run busy. You might be lining up a shot on a patrol when another squad shows up, and suddenly everyone is trying to decide if this is a fight or a quick wave before moving on. I had one run where another group jogged past us while arguing about who forgot to bring extra ammo. It caught me off guard and made all three of us laugh for a second before we went back to searching the area. Moments like that give the game some personality between the tougher fights.
Working with your own squad feels steady and familiar. You share loot, cover each other, and move through buildings with a bit of caution. The game doesn’t punish you for staying close, and it feels good when everyone settles into a flow. Encounters can shift fast, though, especially if ARC units show up during a raid. That mix keeps the online side of ARC Raiders lively without turning it into chaos. It feels like a game built around teamwork, awareness, and a bit of luck.
Final Thoughts on ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders leaves you with a certain rhythm after a while. You start to feel how the game wants you to move, listen, and react. That hit me during a run where everything went wrong at once. We were low on gear, stuck between a patrol and a squad we didn’t want to fight, and the exit felt way too far. Somehow we made it out with scraps, but that moment summed up the game for me. It’s messy at times, but the good kind of messy that makes you think about trying again right away.
The game nails the feeling of risk and reward. The world feels consistent, the AI keeps you guessing, and the sound work ties everything together. It’s the kind of setup that makes each run feel like it has its own story. The crafting and inventory pieces can feel heavy, and the interface could be clearer, but those bumps don’t take away from the core loop. You get used to the flow after a few sessions.
Playing with others brings out the best parts of ARC Raiders. Some groups move fast, others take it slow, and every encounter has the chance to go in a different direction. It keeps the online side of the game steady and flexible. I walked away feeling like the game knows what it wants to be. It sticks to that idea with confidence, and that gives it a strong identity. ARC Raiders finds its pace and lets you figure things out at your own speed.
ARC Raiders Review Summary
Liked
- ARC enemies feel dangerous and unpredictable
- Sound design makes every step and shot matter
- Runs with a good squad feel tense and rewarding
- Strong atmosphere that fits the extraction loop
Didn’t like
- - Inventory and crafting can feel cluttered and slow to learn
- - Interface is clunky in places and needs clearer explanations
- - Some runs can feel rough while you are still learning the systems
Overall Assessment of ARC Raiders
Gameplay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 / 5)
Graphics: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 / 5)
Sound: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4 / 5)
Replayability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4 / 5)
Overall Rating of ARC Raiders: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 / 5)