ARC Raiders

Scavenge the surface ruled by ARC machines, craft gear in Speranza's workshop, then extract before you lose it all.

Last reviewed: August 5, 2026 Patched 4d ago

Released Oct 2025 Multiplayer / Atmospheric / Family Sharing

ARC Raiders' accessible extraction loop is worth it now, but cheaters and content droughts mean wait until the anti-cheat is fixed.

8.7 /10

Strong

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You like Apex Legends but want slower, atmosphere-heavy extraction.
You want co-op PvE but hate ruthless full-loot extraction games.
You prioritize audio design and worldbuilding in shooters.

Not for you if

You're done with shooter cheaters and won't tolerate them.
You need frequent content updates to stay invested.
You want pure PvP without PvE distractions.

What players love

Atmosphere and audio are the anchors for long-haul fans — the abandoned world and machine hums keep 1000-hour players hooked.

What frustrates them

Cheaters and exploiters are the dominating frustration, with veterans abandoning balanced/PvP lobbies and begging for real anti-cheat.

See the reviews behind this →

Latest patch

Patched 4 days ago

Store Update 1.40.0

What critics say

9/10IGN
ARC Raiders raises the bar for extraction shooters with an incredibly gripping progression grind and tense fights that make for memorable matches.
Travis Northup Read review →
2/5Eurogamer
Rich PvE combat and an unusually friendly community make Arc Raiders more approachable, but AI voice generation is a black mark.
Rick Lane Read review →
86/100PC Gamer
Arc Raiders is a genuinely enjoyable extraction shooter thanks to interesting weapons, beautiful maps, and unpredictable action-packed encounters.
Elie Gould Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

Can ARC Raiders be played solo, or do you need a squad?

Both work, but solo is significantly harder. Matchmaking attempts to pair solo queuers against other solos, but you'll regularly run into squads of 2-3 — and the post-apocalyptic Rust Belt is unforgiving when you're alone (ARC robots, environmental hazards, and rival raiders all hunt you). Solo play teaches positioning and stealth fast; group play forgives mistakes through revives and coordinated extractions. New players should run squads of 2-3 for their first 10-20 hours, then solo if they want a pure stealth/PvE-evasion challenge.

Source: Game Rant ARC Raiders FAQ

Does ARC Raiders support cross-play between PC and console?

Yes. ARC Raiders has full cross-play across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S — you can squad up with friends regardless of platform. Cross-progression is also supported, so your progress carries forward whether you switch platforms or play different sessions on different devices. There's no opt-out cross-play option for PC-vs-console parity, so console players will sometimes face PC mouse-and-keyboard accuracy.

Source: GameSpot Cross-Play Guide

How many players does ARC Raiders best support?

Three players is the standard squad size and the size the game is balanced around — coordination on extraction routes, crossfire angles, and revives. Two players also works well; solo is viable but harder. Larger groups aren't supported (no 4+ squads). Unlike Helldivers 2 or Deep Rock Galactic, this is a player-vs-player-vs-environment extraction shooter, so squad size affects both how aggressive you can be and how juicy a target you are to other squads.

Source: Wikipedia

How punishing is ARC Raiders for new players?

Honest answer: rough. Every raid risks losing your loadout — die, and your gear stays on the map for someone else to grab. Rival players can ambush you mid-extraction, ARC robot patrols escalate by zone, and there's no in-raid matchmaking adjustment for skill. The first 10-15 hours are mostly losses, and the learning curve is real. New players survive longer in squads, focus on quick stash runs over deep-zone raids, and should expect to lose gear regularly — that's the genre's design, not a bug.

Source: Escapist ARC Raiders Guide

Does ARC Raiders have meaningful progression beyond the core extraction loop?

Yes — character levels, skills, and a stash-and-craft economy that mirrors Escape from Tarkov but with friendlier UI. Notably, ARC Raiders doesn't do involuntary wipes the way Tarkov does; instead, completing Expedition Projects in specific timeframes resets character progression and rewards new cosmetics, while purchased items and cosmetics are persistent. Long-term goals include weapon mastery, blueprint unlocks, and faction reputation. Cosmetics and battle-pass-style cosmetic rewards live outside the wipe-resettable progression layer.

Source: Game Rant ARC Raiders FAQ