ARC Raiders vs Split Fiction
Extraction shooter with adjustable difficulty versus a co-op-only adventure that demands a partner — how much time and who you play with decide the winner.
Updated 26d ago
ARC Raiders' accessible extraction loop is worth it now, but cheaters and content droughts mean wait until the anti-cheat is fixed.
A fresh mechanic every ten minutes and a sci-fi/fantasy split worth two playthroughs — the best co-op game Hazelight has made, but there's no solo mode at all.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 8; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 8.
| Measure | ARC Raiders | Split Fiction |
|---|---|---|
| Value Too close to call | ||
| Price now | $33.79 −16% · GameBillet | $32.49 −35% · EA Store |
| All-time low | $26.75 | $32.49 |
| Cost / hour | $0.72/hr $33.79 · 47 h main story | $2.37/hr $32.49 · 14 h main story |
| Off its low | +26% low was Dec 2025 | At its low low was Jun 2026 |
| Main story | 47 h | 14 h |
| Health Split Fiction wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 82% 415k reviews | 97% 127k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 48% 3k votes · vs 82% lifetime · souring | 95% 743 votes · vs 97% lifetime |
| Peak players | 41,319 Aug 2026 · ↓ 17% MoM | 12,918 Aug 2026 · ↓ 25% MoM |
| Launch peak | — | 5% of Mar 2025 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 |
| All-time peak | 465,097 Jan 2026 · now at 9% | 258,641 Mar 2025 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | today | 18 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 16+ in last 90 days, at minimum | 0 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Platinum | Platinum |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
ARC Raiders
Atmosphere and audio are the anchors for long-haul fans — the abandoned world and machine hums keep 1000-hour players hooked.
Cheaters and exploiters are the dominating frustration, with veterans abandoning balanced/PvP lobbies and begging for real anti-cheat.
from our August 2026 verdict
Split Fiction
The constant mechanic rotation is the hook — every chapter drops a fresh twist, and long-time players say the sci-fi/fantasy blend keeps both playthroughs lively.
A few puzzles miss and require trial-and-error, but the occasional stumble is easy to forgive next to the near-constant inventiveness.
from our August 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick ARC Raiders if
- You want a game you can play solo or with friends
- You have 47 hours to invest in an extraction shooter
- You appreciate atmospheric audio design and worldbuilding
Pick Split Fiction if
- You have a regular co-op partner and limited time
- You enjoy games that constantly swap mechanics and genres
- You want a polished, highly rated adventure with a 97% positive score
Bottom line
If you want a solo-friendly extraction shooter and have 47 hours, pick ARC Raiders; if you have a partner and a weekend, Split Fiction's 14-hour co-op ride is the better value.