ARC Raiders is the quintessential extraction shooter, drawing heavily on the genre's established conventions. If you're a fan of games where you scavenge for resources while dodging AI enemies and outsmarting human opponents, ARC Raiders will feel right at home. However, if you're looking for something new and innovative, this game might not meet your expectations.
The game pays homage to its predecessors with a nod as straightforward as the default melee weapon—a pickaxe, reminiscent of Fortnite's iconic choice. For those familiar with battle royales, survival games, or other extraction shooters, ARC Raiders will be immediately recognizable, piecing together elements from various successful live service games into a cohesive and satisfying experience.
ARC Raiders - Gamescom 2024 Screenshots
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The core objective of each round is straightforward: venture to the surface, gather superior loot, and return underground safely. Two primary threats stand in your way. The first are the ARC, AI-controlled battle robots patrolling the map, seeking any trace of organic life. These robots, ranging from small, spider-like scurriers to larger, formidable crawlers, pose a significant danger, especially in groups. They respond to sounds of combat or exploration, swarming any detected humans.
The second, and often more lethal, threat comes from other players. In ARC Raiders, vigilance is key, as fellow raiders are always on the prowl, ready to ambush those who are distracted or about to escape with their loot. The game environment is rife with "vultures," as famously put in Casablanca, making player encounters a constant risk.
Combat in ARC Raiders is solid and satisfying. The third-person control scheme feels familiar and responsive, with firearms and melee weapons performing as expected. SMGs offer a lively but challenging recoil, while assault rifles provide stability and power, and sniper rifles deliver impactful shots.
Playing in teams of three adds strategic depth, allowing for coordinated searches and tactical engagements. Team dynamics enhance the experience, turning firefights into calculated battles of strategy and positioning.
The game's maps are cleverly designed, guiding players to the most lucrative resource areas, which inevitably attract both looters and potential ambushers. The environments, while functional, may feel somewhat generic, reminiscent of other post-apocalyptic settings with their rusted warehouses and abandoned buildings. While the setting might not captivate with its lore, the gameplay loop is engaging, akin to enjoying a hearty, if unadorned, meal.
Every nook and cranny holds potential treasures—crafting components, ammo, shields, healing items, and weapons. The game's inventory system, including a special pocket for safeguarding rare finds, adds a layer of strategy to your scavenging efforts. Opening certain containers can be tense, generating noise that might attract unwanted attention, especially when playing solo.
Between rounds, players return underground to craft new gear using collected materials or to sell them for cash to purchase pre-made items. The crafting system includes intriguing elements, like the involvement of a live rooster, adding a quirky twist to the process.
As you explore and survive, you earn experience that unlocks various Skill Trees, allowing you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle, enhancing combat, mobility, or stealth.
Character customization starts basic but improves with the use of premium currency, offering more detailed textures and outfits. Whether you choose to embrace the game's default bleakness or opt for something more stylish, the choice is yours.
Overall, ARC Raiders may not reinvent the wheel, but its familiar mechanics and well-tuned gameplay loop make it a solid choice for fans of the extraction shooter genre. It's a reliable way to spend an afternoon, offering a satisfying cycle of looting, fighting, and improving.
Arc Raiders - Screenshots and GIFs
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