There’s nothing quite like playing an open-world game and stumbling upon a moment so perfectly chaotic, it feels like it was written just for you. These emergent setpieces, born from pure spontaneity, are what make games truly unforgettable. I’ve found this magic in titles like State of Decay, Sea of Thieves, and PUBG. And after a recent four-hour deep dive into Arc Raiders, I’m thrilled to report that this sci-fi extraction shooter possesses that same rare, captivating quality.
For those new to the genre, Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter. What I find particularly fascinating about extraction shooters is their incredible diversity, especially when compared to the battle royale craze that came before them. While games like Fortnite, Warzone, and PUBG often share a similar core loop, extraction titles like Wildgate, Hunt: Showdown, and Escape from Tarkov each offer vastly different experiences. What unites them all is the constant, high-stakes mental calculation of risk versus reward. Deciding whether to push forward for epic loot or play it safe with your current haul is rarely a clear-cut choice; it’s an instinctual gut-check, a dance with fate.
While many extraction shooters effectively play with this element of risk, Arc Raiders elevates it with stunning art direction, immersive audio, and superb pacing. During my hands-on experience, my most successful rounds genuinely felt like the game was narrating my unique adventure. Early deaths often left me feeling like a mere “Redshirt”—fodder for another player’s daring escape. But when my squadmates and I pushed through missions, battling and strategizing for over twenty intense minutes, those were unequivocally our moments as the heroes of our own thrilling saga.
The game’s dynamic PvPvE (player-versus-player-versus-environment) environment is a masterclass in organic storytelling. This post-apocalyptic world, ravaged by both rogue AI and climate disasters, is teeming with patrolling robots. I encountered a diverse array of mechanical threats, from colossal, menacing walkers reminiscent of Star Wars’ AT-ATs to agile, unarmed drones that could summon armed reinforcements at a moment’s notice.
These ominous machines, seemingly plucked from a Simon Stålenhag painting, often forced my squadmate and me to dive into shadowy alcoves or leap through open windows, patiently waiting for patrols to pass—much like rebels sneaking into an Imperial stronghold. We’d journey across vast, desolate desert landscapes, acutely aware of our vulnerability to distant sniper scopes, only to zipline into a promising loot zone and discover it had already been plundered. With the clock ticking down and the threat of being stranded, we’d reluctantly venture back into the harsh sun, where both visible and invisible foes lurked.
We found ourselves repeatedly in scenarios that felt straight out of a heroic monomyth, confronting formidable “threshold guardians” at every turn. During one session, my fellow squadmate and I were casually chatting when we were suddenly ambushed by a well-coordinated enemy trio. It was a gritty, cinematic action sequence – the kind where protagonists drop their guard, then claw their way out, learning a harsh lesson about vigilance. Forget escaping with rare weaponry, crucial crafting materials, or even that indispensable grappling hook; survival alone was the victory. While individual moments might seem merely “neat,” their rhythmic occurrence throughout each round transformed Arc Raiders into a powerful memory-making engine, weaving together encounters that vividly narrated our grand story of triumphs and tribulations.
I’ve deliberately drawn parallels to Star Wars more than once because Arc Raiders’ sci-fi setting—a gritty blend of advanced robots and a lived-in, fighter-pilot aesthetic—evokes a much more grounded version of that beloved universe. You won’t find Jedi, Force powers, or lightsabers here. Instead, consider films like Rogue One or Andor, and the similarities become striking. As the titular raiders, players embody resourceful, outmatched characters whose only true advantage is their unwavering spirit. They move with agility, yet the slow stamina regeneration serves as a stark reminder of their human frailty, emphasizing a desperate reliance on survival instincts. Combat against the robots always felt like a desperate guerrilla war; we’d seize fleeting opportunities, then deftly retreat from dangerous situations the moment the risk clearly surpassed the potential reward.
This intricate mental calculus becomes far more challenging when facing other players, as each unique playstyle exponentially increases the variables in a skirmish. Fortunately, the game’s sound design is both phenomenal and highly informative, allowing me to deftly avoid certain encounters or gain the upper hand in others. Developed by a team with former Battlefield veterans, it’s no surprise that Embark’s debut title is already hailed as offering one of gaming’s premier audio experiences. Distant gunfire, the subtle pings of nearby loot caches, and the unsettling scuttle of an enemy attempting to flank you—every sound is brought to life with immersive, layered precision.
Playing Battlefield often makes me question why other multiplayer games can’t match its rich, engaging soundscape. While Arc Raiders typically features less outright chaos, the sheer dependability of its audio cues for critical combat and travel decisions is equally masterful. The optional proximity chat, easily toggleable even on console—a delightful rarity—further enriches every encounter. Will the next squad you encounter be allies, adversaries, or something more deceptive? That dynamic uncertainty is a core thrill, one I experienced repeatedly during my initial four hours.
“Our goal is to offer a rich sandbox environment, complete with tools and strategic objectives, while applying pressure to motivate players,” explained executive producer Aleksander Grondal during our post-demo interview. “But we never dictate *how* to achieve those goals. If you’re a social player eager to forge alliances, the game fully supports that, giving you plenty of chances to use proximity chat to signal ‘Hey, I’m friendly!’ Conversely, if you prefer stealth and player avoidance, that’s perfectly viable. And if you simply want to engage in pure action, the game caters to that too. For us, it’s truly about maximizing player agency and possibilities.”
I reflected that, hypothetically, if every player chose peace, we could all unite against the ARC robots. This unique design turns the game into a fascinating—and perhaps a bit disheartening—social experiment. There will always be someone who, despite good intentions, disrupts the potential for collaboration. “Doesn’t that reveal something fundamental about human nature?” Grondal mused.
Moments after our demo concluded, the preview build’s servers went offline, not to return until the game’s public launch on October 30. I began my Arc Raiders experience with minimal expectations, knowing only the bare essentials. I emerged from those four intense hours with virtual scars, a head full of thrilling tales, and an overwhelming eagerness to jump back into the action the moment it goes live.