So what is ARC Raiders? It’s a free-to-play PvPvE extraction shooter set in a retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic world where humanity is scavenging for survival while being hunted by deadly robots known as ARC. You and your squad drop into a giant map full of loot, hostile enemy robots, and other players who are just as desperate to escape with their lives (and maybe your gear). Your goal is to explore, survive, and extract—ideally without dying in the process.
That sounds familiar, right? But ARC Raiders stands out in every single department. The graphics are incredible. The world-building is sharp and atmospheric. The gunplay is tactile and satisfying. And the sound design? I could talk about the sound design for hours. It’s one of those games where every bullet whizzing by and every mechanical screech just feels right.
But more than anything, it’s the moment-to-moment gameplay—the storytelling that happens while you play—that sets this game apart. Most games try to tell you a story. ARC Raiders lets you live one. And every time you play - it's a different one.
For example: You start by heading out to find loot. The world is eerie and beautiful, and danger is always around the corner. Suddenly, a flare shoots into the sky—a sign that another player just died. You head over, hoping to find something useful. But then a drone ambushes you out of nowhere. You scramble into a building for cover… and find someone else already inside. Gunfire erupts. You duck, weave, return fire. You’re in it.
And then—boom. A trio of Raiders shows up out of nowhere - They heard the gunshot and came looking for victims. They kill your opponent, then start taunting you over proximity chat. They know you’re in the building. They’re looking for you. You sneak. You hide. You try to make your way out. You burst through the back door—only to find a giant robotic spider staring you down. Behind you: three armed players. In front of you: death on metal legs. What do you do?
That’s ARC Raiders. Every run is a story. Every decision is a gamble. And proximity chat makes it even more unpredictable. You might be one second from death when your enemy suddenly says, “Wait—don’t shoot. I’ll give my sniper rifle if you let me go. it's out of ammo but it's a good gun” And you might actually say yes.
Whether you’re solo or with friends, ARC Raiders has been crafted to work for both playstyles. I’ve seen top-tier squads steamroll through missions, and I’ve seen lonely solo players outwit and escape against all odds. Either way, it’s always compelling.
I’m not saying it’s perfect. I haven’t played it yet. It only had a couple of tech demos so far, But what I am saying is this: ARC Raiders has already captured my attention in a way very few games do. And if the final release delivers even half of what I’ve seen in these early previews, then yeah—I’m comfortable saying it. Game of the Year contender? Absolutely.
