ARC Raiders vs Marathon
Co-op extraction with a sci-fi twist versus a punishing solo grind — which shooter suits your playstyle?
Embark's prettiest and friendliest extraction shooter — ARC Raiders trades Tarkov's hardcore detail for cleaner combat and a real sci-fi world to fight over.
Marathon's punishing extraction loop and responsive devs make it a worthy Tarkov rival if you can handle the grind.
Steam popularity
Shared scale — sparklines are directly comparable across both games.
ARC Raiders
May 2026 peak CCU 120,450 ↓ 22% MoM
All-time peak 465,097
Marathon
May 2026 peak CCU 17,050 ↓ 53% MoM
All-time peak 77,358
Key differences
Co-op focus
ARC Raiders emphasizes squad play with map-wide objectives
Marathon's extraction loop is designed for solo runners
Gameplay tone
ARC Raiders offers cleaner combat and a more accessible experience
Marathon features a punishing extraction loop with high risk and reward
Business model
ARC Raiders has a $40 buy-in with uncertain DLC plans
Marathon is free-to-play with a grind-based progression system
Which one is for you?
Pick ARC Raiders if
- You prefer co-op play with friends
- You want a more accessible extraction shooter
- You're willing to pay for a premium experience
Pick Marathon if
- You enjoy solo play with high-risk rewards
- You prefer a free-to-play model with grind-based progression
- You're looking for a game with responsive devs and regular updates
Bottom line
Choose ARC Raiders for co-op extraction with a friendlier tone, or Marathon for a solo grind with high stakes and regular updates.