ARC Raiders presents a fascinating premise that doesn't quite translate into satisfying gameplay. Set in a world overrun by "ARC robots," only a handful of humans known as "Raiders" dare venture to the surface. These scavengers brave ARC threats while navigating uneasy alliances with fellow Raiders, shuttling resources and intel between the wasteland and underground shelters to aid humanity's survival.

Developed by Embark Studios—formed by veterans of DICE—the game boasts impeccable technical foundations. Its visual presentation, optimization, environmental art, and sound design all meet high standards. Certain atmospheric scenes even evoke cinematic quality reminiscent of Death Stranding or The Last of Us.

While the core experience shows promise, its current execution falters—primarily due to controversial PVP design. Under rules allowing "unrestricted communication and open-fire," conflicts inevitably erupt between players with divergent goals. Some focus solely on battling ARC forces, while others prioritize hunting human opponents even amid robot barrages.

Thus, ARC Raiders' current state feels unsatisfying. Its distinct style offers unique moments, yet its live-service future feels precarious. If you dislike post-apocalyptic looting blended with retro sci-fi, or can't tolerate its "dark forest" PVP tension, I can't recommend it—at least not yet.

Unlike most extraction shooters, ARC Raiders initially plays like a co-op MMO: complete objectives, gather resources, then upgrade gear and base facilities. Resources overflow on maps—a solo player can fill their backpack in minutes by looting a single building or high-value zone. With luck, you might secure critical items and extract within five minutes.

Moreover, "high-value loot" (like red/gold-tier items) feels less pivotal here than in competitors. With no player-driven market, loot can only be used personally (barring player-to-player trades). High-tier finds merely convert into upgrade materials rather than instant wealth. Combined with demanding base-building and crafting needs, targeting mission-specific resources proves wiser than chasing rare loot.

The game welcomes newcomers with free starter loadouts—random weapons and basic supplies included. Extracting successfully banks these items permanently. Better yet, a base companion ("Chickie") delivers guaranteed resources after every run.

This system lets rookies play conservatively ("ratting") while learning maps and mechanics. But it's a short-term solution: free gear only handles isolated ARC units or similarly equipped players. In advanced zones, no-protection free kits equal going naked.

This design brilliantly teaches gear thresholds: players learn "What equipment do I need for X challenge?" without wasting resources. Yet relying forever on free kits is unsustainable. Once you stockpile materials, craft better gear to tackle tougher ARC threats.

The titular ARC robots dominate PVE—and they're far from pushovers. Standard "Wasps" can shred half a lightly armored player's health in one burst. Unless hunting specific resources, avoiding them is wise.

But fighting ARC isn't mindless bullet-sponging. They feature destructible components: shoot thrusters to ground flyers, target exposed weak points during attacks, or use armor-piercing weapons. Elite ARC units like "Rockets" and "Fortresses" can easily wipe unprepared squads.

Battling ARC is genuinely fun—likely the focus before PVP was added. Each unit boasts unique behaviors and rewards. Time-limited bosses like "Reapers" and "Queens" with intricate mechanics offer the game's most engaging combat puzzles.

PVP aggression often correlates with local ARC strength. In "Blue Gate"—an open map thick with patrols—gunfire attracts robot "third-parties," deterring human fights. Conversely, the starter Dam map's verticality, indoor loot spots, and sparse high-level ARC make PVP far safer.

Compared to its polished PVE, the PVP implementation feels amateurish—as if developers simply enabled friendly fire and called it a day. This half-measure pleases neither PVE nor PVP enthusiasts, leaving ARC Raiders stuck between two incomplete visions.