ARC Raiders Review – Polished, Addictive and Accessible Fun

ARC Raiders review

Shooters tow trucks have a simple gameplay loop that can be summed up in six words: enter, get something, exit. The “get something” part can also be replaced with “do something” goals. For developers, each of the three stages is a potential failure point where pleasure can turn to frustration. What made me play ARK Raiders there was a finely tuned elegance – a strange word to use, but that's exactly how it feels – in every moment of the game. There is not a moment of disrespect for time. There is no complexity as such.

Pristine premises

Like the main series, ARC Raiders has an immediately coherent literature. In the near future, the Earth has been destroyed by the forces of mechanized killers in the form of drones and mobile turrets. They patrol the sky and landscape. They are hiding in the ruins of destroyed buildings. Your job as a raider is to venture to the surface in search of useful loot before descending to your underground base, Speranza.

Topside, as the Raiders call it, is a detailed post-apocalyptic Earth devastated by the ARC. It's a haunted place, beautiful and scary in equal parts. There are many environmental stories hidden within the ruins. While the levels aren't huge, they feel expansive. They are large enough to provide freedom of exploration and challenge, but small enough to be manageable. Day and night missions change the dangers and rewards of each area.

Graphically, ARC Raiders makes effective use of lighting and weather effects to make the world feel tangibly real. Unlike many recent games, ARC Raiders is extremely polished and runs flawlessly.

Taken by surprise

Obviously, the world of ARC Raiders should be fun to explore, and it is. Where the game really gained popularity was in its shooter and PvPvE mechanics. The developers have intelligently and effectively changed the formulas.

ARC Raiders can be played either alone or in teams of three. The two experiences are completely different. In single player mode, players explore and complete objectives, but can form special partnerships. For those without a microphone, there's a pretty useful emote system that covers the basics. Of course, it's entirely possible that the other solo player is hostile, creating a constant, unique tension in each encounter. The game tries to place solo players in the same world, so in general, solo players are unlikely to be attacked by a squad.

If the single player mode is PvE, then the team modes are completely focused on PvP combat, and surviving without proper coordination can be quite difficult. To its credit, ARC Raiders offers an equally rewarding experience for any preference. Leveling up for solo players is no slower, and they gain access to more loot.

Loot loops

Typically, each visit to the Upper Area tasks the player with completing an NPC task and returning to Speranza unharmed. Most maps have multiple exit points that have timers, so missing one point near an exit means a long and dangerous trek to another. Mission objectives are fairly standard, such as collecting a certain type of material or finding certain crates. Multiple risk and reward systems allow players to shape each mission. For example, you can choose a random download, which will preserve the items you've already collected, but may not be ideal. The contents of the player's backpack are lost upon death during a mission.

Back in Speranza, players go through the usual procedures of visiting NPCs for equipment and missions, upgrading equipment, and crafting. It's all very simplified and relatively intuitive, although it will take players a while to understand all the systems at play. Almost everything is accessible with minimal clicking of a few tabs and menus. ARC Raiders is doing a great job with all the promotion.

ARC Raiders doesn't have any glaring problems, but one initial minor disappointment is that the number and types of weapons and interesting upgrades are a bit disappointing. Things are set to improve as the developers have laid out an encouraging plan for future expansion and new content.

Excellent Shooting

Overall, third-person movement and combat in ARC Raiders looks great. The weapons are effective and fun to use against a variety of enemies. ARC machines range from trivial to nearly impossible without a command.

Sound design in ARC Raiders is an important element of combat, as all ARC vehicles and fellow Raiders have audio cues that help determine location. Opening boxes and activating elevators creates a sound signature that attracts enemies and increases tension. Ambient sound, synth-heavy music, and combat effects create a consistently interesting soundscape.

Missing in action

ARC Raiders hides its minor flaws better than most, but nothing is perfect. While playing endless matches is rewarding and fun, progress is slower than in many other shooters. The process of recycling gear into parts or upgrading equipment becomes intuitive, but requires a lot of repetition to get predictable results. Managing loot on the field can make matches a little difficult. Finally, the obsessed player will gobble up cards, upgrades, and levels pretty quickly. ARC Raiders will need a constant stream of new modes, maps, and content. But what's there is great.

ARC Raiders is simply one of the most accomplished and accessible third-person shooters in recent memory. There's something for everyone here, from solo players to teams ready to wreak havoc on the world. With a confident and cohesive mix of systems and a simple, addictive loop, ARC Raiders helps cap off an outstanding year of gaming in style.

***PC code provided by publisher for review***