ARC Raiders

The third-person online extraction shooter ARC Raiders combines arcade gameplay with a post-apocalyptic “machine uprising” setting. Players leave their underground shelter to search the surface for valuable loot and other resources. Each raid is limited in time—and it’s also a race to survive. Fighting aggressive robots and other players means risking the loss of everything you’ve collected if you die, so your main goal is to evacuate with your loot before time runs out.

ARC Raiders takes place on Earth in the distant future. In 2180, the “Collapse” occurred—a series of disasters (floods, fires, and earthquakes) that destroyed civilization. Some of the people in the Polito region (similar to Italy) fled into space aboard ships as part of Operation Exodus, while the survivors who remained took shelter deep underground. Generations later, the “Era of the Sun” began—a period of returning to the surface and trying to restore the planet with the help of new technologies.

Suddenly, Arcs began falling from the sky—combat robots whose origins remain a mystery. The First War lasted ten years and ended with the Raiders’ triumph over the Baron, a colossal Arc that had terrorized the planet. But the peace did not last long. The Second War began with an invasion by even more advanced and larger machines. Humanity was forced to retreat underground once again, founding Speranza—the last bastion, with a network of tunnels for dangerous surface raids.

The events of ARC Raiders unfold in the middle of the Second War. You are an unnamed Raider from Speranza, a blank slate with no backstory. The tutorial introduces the basics of survival and PvPvE, then the main gameplay loop begins: heading to the surface on raids to find resources and technology. You’ll be helped by a pet bot called Scrappy —a mechanical rooster that supplies its owner with basic provisions after every raid, regardless of the outcome.

The game offers a nonlinear story campaign. The story and lore are told through the environment, Codex entries, and conversations in the hub, but the main story unfolds through missions that unlock new videos, cutscenes, items, and locations. The five key characters not only bring the world to life through dialogue, but also run the economy, selling the player everything they need:

More than 60 missions serve as the main progression system. The tasks are simple (“fetch and carry,” “find and kill,” activate locations), but their variety keeps things interesting: from hunting specific robots for rare parts to using enemy cores as weapons.

The world of ARC Raiders isn’t one huge open space, but a set of separate arena-like maps spread across different regions and loosely connected to Speranza, the game’s central hub. The locations aren’t realistic copies of real places, but imaginative versions: familiar landscapes stand alongside the ruins of civilization and machines. Travel also follows the game’s own logic: Raiders use a network of tunnels and reach the surface by elevator. The elevators also serve as extraction points.

The maps feature a variety of environments, from snowy peaks and alpine forests to swamps and toxic industrial wastelands. Many areas have a strong sense of “verticality.” Loot on each map is tied to zones with different loot value levels. The higher the zone’s level (for example, “pink” or “red”), the greater the chance of finding expensive and rare loot, while low-level zones (such as “gray” or “orange”) offer loot of average value. Zones aren’t strictly limited to specific types of resources (weapons, medicine, electronics), so players can even find basic materials in specialized locations.

Maps unlock gradually as you gain experience (by completing raids). At launch, there were four (Dam, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate), but the developers have added several more since then. To make loot easier to collect, zones are marked by resource type and loot value (gray, yellow, red). Of particular interest are key-locked rooms (guaranteed loot), hidden “black locations” with random events, and “red zones” with rare exotic loot.

To keep raids from becoming routine, modifiers are applied to maps to radically change the conditions. For example, night makes robots stronger and reduces the number of extraction points, but offers more loot behind locked doors. Nature comes alive, rewarding players with more natural resources. Or there are electromagnetic storms, which disable electronics, disrupt machines, and deal lightning damage.

ARC Raiders focuses on mobility and verticality. The character can run, jump, slide, roll, and use parkour moves freely. They can pull themselves up, grab ledges, and maneuver easily—a feeling that other extraction games were missing. Over long distances, the protagonist puts their weapon on their back, noticeably increasing their speed.

Parkour opens up alternative routes: you can climb onto ledges, jump between rooftops, use ziplines, and descend to any point on the map. Height and smart use of the surroundings expand your tactical options and let you fire at enemies from advantageous, unexpected positions.

Interacting with the world means actively using objects: hacking crates and doors, activating mechanisms, calling in air drops, and opening or blocking passages. Sound plays a key role: making noise attracts the attention of ARC machines and other players. Everything you find goes into your inventory and has weight—carrying too much directly reduces your total stamina, and managing stamina is central to progression. Even when running long distances, you have to put your weapon away manually to conserve energy.

The interface is minimal and doesn’t distract from the action. A marker system lets you mark enemies, points of interest, and directions for your teammates. Items important for upgrades are highlighted, making it quicker to collect what you need from defeated enemies or containers. Consumables are managed through quick-access slots: grenades, healing items, shield repairs—everything is within reach. Voice chat includes both proximity chat (you can hear nearby players, shown by a yellow indicator) and a team channel (white microphone).

Battles in ARC Raiders include fights against ARC machines and encounters with other players. Weapon effectiveness varies depending on the target: whether you’re dealing damage to energy shields, armor, or an unprotected body. Experienced fighters often combine weapons—for example, carrying one large-caliber gun for high single-shot damage and a second, fast-firing weapon with low recoil for close-range control.

ARC machines are usually assigned to specific areas: some patrol buildings, while others guard the streets, though they may aggressively chase players during combat. Each robot has weak points—turbines, engines, and stabilizers. There are 11 types of ARC machines in the game, from scout drones and arachnid spheres to heavy units like the Queen.

In PvP, accuracy and smart positioning are what matter: it’s important to find cover in time and use the advantage of height where appropriate. The TTK (time to kill) is distinctive: it usually gives you a chance to react to a surprise attack (unless you’re hit by a shotgun at point-blank range), but mistakes are costly. Healing and restoring shields take a long time, so losing armor in an open fight can often be fatal without support from teammates.

There are 8 weapon categories in total, differing in purpose and ammunition type, and covering every combat distance. Each weapon has a rarity (five grades, from gray to legendary) and upgrade levels that improve its base stats and make even starting weapons more competitive. There’s plenty of ammunition, but players often prefer heavy ammo—it’s more effective and takes up less space.

Shields are a separate tactical element. They differ in capacity and their effect on your loadout: For example, a medium shield won’t let you carry a large loot bag, while a heavy one offers maximum protection in a firefight but limits your mobility. Remember that no shield blocks 100% of incoming damage—some of it goes straight to your health (HP). When your HP is low, severe “interference” obscures the interface, but a shield that’s been completely depleted can be replaced with a spare. Some gadgets also automatically create a smoke screen when your shield is pierced.

Gadgets provide major tactical advantages: they can distract and provoke Arcs, direct them toward enemy players, create cover, or activate unmarked extraction points off the usual routes.

All the loot you collect during a raid can be broken down into basic materials: metal, plastic, chemicals, electronics, and so on. You’ll always need these for repairing weapons, crafting ammo and consumables, upgrading workbenches, and more. Since inventory space is limited, it can be worth breaking down some loot while you’re still out on a run.

Backpack capacity depends on your augment. For example, the Looting augment expands your inventory and unlocks a hidden pocket (which keeps items safe if you die), but restricts you to light shields. Players must constantly choose between carrying capacity and survivability. Inventory management is simple: there’s no “inventory Tetris”—each item takes up exactly one slot.

The stash works as you’d expect in this genre: loot is transferred automatically, and anything that doesn’t fit stays in your inventory. You can upgrade your stash capacity, but each upgrade costs more than the last. Thanks to dynamic spawning, it’s worth checking containers even in areas other players have already searched. Rare military and medical crates are especially valuable, as are trophies from the bodies of defeated Arcs and rivals.

The economy uses two currencies. The main one is money, used to buy gear and expand your stash; the secondary one is seeds. Trading is standardized: all NPCs offer the same prices, and there’s no in-game auction, but you can barter items directly.

Character progression in ARC Raiders is tied to activities during raids: you earn XP for dealing damage, collecting loot, and exploring the world, up to level 75. Skill points are allocated across three branches—Conditioning (health and stamina), Mobility (reduces stamina use), and Survival (maximum carry weight, chance of finding items, and crafting during a raid). This choice is permanent, as there’s no way to reallocate points.

The crafting system is built around seven workbenches, from basic weapon and medical stations to recyclers and gadget tables. Upgrading one workbench often requires components made at another, creating a deep chain of crafting. When working on your arsenal, remember the golden rule of saving resources: only modify weapons after fully repairing them, or the upgrade cost will increase significantly. Quests that award progress to all party members at the same time help expand the list of available recipes.

Players who have reached the progression cap can choose to wipe their progress through the “Expedition” project. A character can be sent on a 60-day mission, which effectively resets their current progress, skills, and workbenches while preserving all cosmetics. In return, the next Raider receives account-wide upgrades: a larger stash, bonus skill points, and faster XP gain.

The competitive side comes into play in seasonal ranked races lasting around 38 days. Leaderboard progress only counts after a successful evacuation, while night raids and special events double the points earned. The most successful players, who can survive and complete objectives, earn the “Local Legend” title and unique cosmetic rewards by the end of the season.