Releases on October 30, 2025
Embark Studios and ARC Raiders offered one last free weekend testing session before the game officially launches on October 30th. According to the Steam charts, the numbers are pretty impressive. I checked in on Sunday morning, and there were 89,567 playing an hour ago, 184,010 24-hour peak, and 187,387 all-time peak, and these numbers are only for Steam.
The current numbers place it in the top 5 of Steam‘s most played games. But the game is also available on Epic, along with a console version for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox, so the actual numbers are even higher. There was a hotfix shortly after the playtest started to address crashes and errors, so hopefully, those fixed a lot of the issues for those users, and everyone can enjoy a playtest of the game.
But these numbers are for a free demo; let’s see how the numbers are after the game releases and how many raiders purchase the game.
ARC Raiders is arguably a blisteringly paced extraction shooter, so if you are into scavenging goods while avoiding PvE, exploring the environment, battling, and looting PvP, you are most likely going to like ARC Raiders. If not, then this game is probably not for you.
In ARC Raiders, the goal of the game for each round is simple. Just enter the surface and then get back underground alive with better loot than you began with. While on the surface, you will face AI-controlled battle robots that wander the map searching for any life, and try to take it. Some swarm and, in groups, are surprisingly dangerous, and the larger ones don’t mess around either. Taking out these pesky robots can be rewarding with ammo and weapon components.
But robots are only part of your battle while on the surface. There are other raiders out there, on the same goal, so you’d better watch your back. In previous playtests, the pesky PvP players hung out at extraction points, ready to take down an unsuspecting raider on their way back.
The movement, combat, and controls are like most other third-person shooters in modern games. The weapons seem to react as you want them to, and the bullets seem to find their target accurately, if they are shot accurately, of course, by the raider. The assault rifles are steadier than the SMGs and sniper rifles, and offer more of a punch. Some of the melee damage is substantial, depending on the weapon you’re using.
Of course, team play offers the best experience. Any PvP or AI bot battles are more satisfying and deliver more of a strategic immersive gameplay versus playing as a solo raider. A three-person squad is where the game shines, and delivers heart-pounding action, and gratification for each win, or heartbreak when your team is wiped out, and your game loot is now on the back of another raider.
Most of the environments are similar to other extraction shooters, offering overgrown areas and vacant lots with abandoned vehicles, warehouses, and abandoned buildings, but it’s designed to draw raiders into lucrative resource hubs. The raiders head to the richest areas looking for loot, creating PvP battles for resources.
Just loot, search every drawer or cabinet for resources for crafting components, weapons, ammunition, and healing items. A special pocket (at the beginning, just one slot, and I am not sure if it expands to more slots) in your inventory allows you to keep a few items safe, allowing you to at least keep a few finds in the event of an unexpected death.
You will find that some containers, cars, and boxes will open slowly and make noise while doing so, making you feel more vulnerable and creating a great game immersion concept, as you are hoping that an AI bot or another raider is not nearby and alerted to your position.
As you gain more experience, it opens a series of Skill Trees, allowing you to optimize your raider with more abilities, mobility, and stealth. Then, after extraction, while underground, raiders can convert your hard-earned loot to crafting for better gear or liquidate it for cash.
Currently, customizing your raider is very limited at the beginning, just 13 faces, five hair colors, 11 hair choices with five hair colors, two appearances, two body type options, three outfits, and three backpacks.
Overall, ARC Raiders is an exhilarating and immersive experience. The drama and stress of trying to get to extraction while avoiding AI and other raiders can be a blast. The ability to loot and build your raider the way you want is exhilarating and rewarding, and it brings you back to the game to continue raiding.
At release, ARC Raiders will be $39.99 for the base game and $59.99 for the deluxe edition.
The deluxe edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Cosmetic Pack: “Valente” Legendary Outfit, “Pathfinder” Backpack, “Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment. Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Scrappy Skin, and 2400 Raider Tokens.
