Why Millions Are Addicted to ARC Raiders

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In my review of ARC Raiders, I called it the best extraction shooter out right now, or at least one of the very best. That’s a strong statement, but I wasn’t just being generous to Embark Studios. The game truly stands out due to its exceptional quality and how well it’s made, even compared to all the other great games released this year.

It’s clear many people are enjoying this game – I’m not alone! While the game reached almost 355,000 players on Steam over the weekend (even with some server problems, the number could have been even higher), that’s already well-known. What’s more impressive is that, alongside fantastic player reviews – currently 90% “Very Positive” based on over 42,200 reviews – critics are also loving it.

Early reviews for ARC Raiders are very positive. It currently has a Metascore of 87 based on 11 reviews, and an even higher average of 94 on Opencritic, based on 16 reviews – putting it among the top-rated games this year. It’s still early, and the scores might change as more reviews are published, but so far, both players and critics seem to agree that it’s a fantastic game.


 

Sales figures support this success. Estimates from Gamalytic, VG Insights, and PlayTracker suggest around 2.1 million players on Steam. While Embark hasn’t released official numbers, the game’s popularity on PC indicates it’s been a commercial success overall, considering sales on other platforms as well.

So, we’re back to the key questions: How and why is this game succeeding? Given the time of year, and the fact that gamers haven’t shown much interest in games that constantly require ongoing updates and purchases, it seems surprising. The answer is straightforward – a truly good game will attract players, particularly when there aren’t many other compelling options. However, based on what we’ve seen of ARC Raiders – its relaxing solo play, challenging combat, and smooth gameplay – there are actually three main reasons for its potential success, beyond just how fun it is.

From the start, our playtests have shown the game is easy to pick up, but challenging to truly master. This is a classic trait in many games, like those in the Mario series, but it’s especially impactful here. Because losing progress can be permanent, you could spend hours building a fantastic set of equipment, only to lose it all with a single mistake.

The real excitement in these types of games comes from successfully finding the items you need and then escaping with them, particularly when the environment is so dangerous. But it’s incredibly frustrating to lose everything due to unpredictable factors – like other players, the game’s defenses, or even a simple mistake – and have to start all over again.

ARC Raiders addresses these issues in several ways. The Free Loadout system lets you keep any gear you successfully extract with, and you can gather resources for free after each round as a ‘Scrappy’ player. It doesn’t take long to earn enough Credits to buy what you need, or the materials to craft it. Plus, even if you focus solely on quests, you’re always earning experience and unlocking new abilities. While The Rust Belt might have its flaws, you’ll consistently feel like you’re moving forward.

Another key to the game’s success is how it breaks up the usual gameplay loop, a hallmark of extraction shooters. Whether you’re enjoying solo adventures, facing unpredictable player interactions where allies can quickly turn hostile, or struggling through intense fights against enemies while trying to escape, there’s always something new. It even has quieter moments where you can appreciate the beautiful environments and immersive sound design.

Playing with a partner or in a squad is definitely exciting, though it often turns into a chaotic fight for survival. Winning feels like a combination of having good equipment and really knowing the map. Player-versus-player combat can make or break a game, and there’s already demand for a mode where you only play against the environment. Even games like Escape from Tarkov, known for being challenging, eventually listened to players and added that option.

In ARC Raiders, player-versus-player combat (PvP) feels like a core part of the game’s design. While players work together in the settlement of Speranza, there’s a constant sense of unease. When you first arrive, you need to be careful and not trust anyone, and that’s intentional. The vendors and other residents have hidden motives, and that includes other players. Given the lack of rules, it’s natural that players might try to eliminate each other, and this could even be connected to the game’s story.

Player versus Environment versus Player (PvEvP) is a really engaging experience. It’s fun to team up with others to defeat challenging enemies that would be tough to handle alone. You’re always watching out for other player groups, and sometimes you can even turn the enemies against them to get ahead. It’s interesting how much different exploring a place feels when you’re with a team versus going it alone. Playing with others creates a lot of excitement and tension – you’re so focused on potential threats that you might not even care if you lose some gear!

Another key reason for the game’s changes is the development team itself. If you remember the original reveal of ARC Raiders back in 2021, you could see the potential, even though it wasn’t as polished as the current version. The fact that Embark recognized the initial build wasn’t enjoyable and then spent years working to make it fun shows their commitment to quality.

Even though the game changed to a more action-focused style, the developers didn’t just expect players to like it. They tested the game with players and asked for their opinions. Many believed it was ready for an immediate release during the Summer Game Fest in June, but the studio decided to spend more time refining it.

The developers even chose not to announce future plans before the game launched. While they had ideas for updates—like the next map—their priority was a stable release and easy access for players. Beyond that, their dedication to players is clear. Offering free rewards for server issues is good, but actively catching cheaters and restoring stolen items, even without player reports, shows they truly go the extra mile to support their community.

The development plan is impressive despite its focus on improvements rather than major overhauls. It includes additions like new robots, weapons, missions, a special event, and a new map feature, all designed to enhance the existing game. While the team will likely try bolder ideas in the future, they’re currently concentrating on refining and improving the core gameplay experience.

Is ARC Raiders flawless? Not exactly. Some resource piles could be larger, and it’s strange that lowering the graphics settings removes trees, actually making it easier to spot enemies. However, Embark Studio clearly knows what they want ARC Raiders to be, and they’re also listening to players – that’s a great combination for success. Whether they can keep it up remains to be seen, but as I said before the game launched, this is the best new extraction shooter of the year. Even if you don’t usually enjoy this genre, it’s definitely worth trying.

Just so you know, the opinions in this article are the author’s own and don’t reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

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2025-11-06 18:43