Earlier this year, I called ARC Raiders “the most promising extraction shooter I’ve played,” and after spending many hours with the final release, it seems to have lived up to my expectations. While I’m not ready to share a full review yet, as I still need to sink many more hours into various progression systems and maps, I can confidently say developer Embark Studio’s sophomore release is an impressive foray into the growing subgenre. 

Launch Trailer | ARC Raiders:

The Division helped lay the groundwork for extraction shooters in 2016 with its fantastic Dark Zone, a walled-off area of New York City where players fought other competitors and NPCs alike to extract with their hard-earned loot before dying and losing it all. ARC Raiders carries this concept forward, expanding upon it with a robust crafting system, expertly implemented retro-futuristic art direction, and impressive artificial intelligence powering the robot enemies patrolling the game’s vibrant and derelict locations. 

Before loading into their selected map, players equip themselves with various old-world weaponry, like marksman rifles and pistols, alongside a selection of futuristic gadgetry like shields, loadout augments (i.e., expanded backpack space vs. more quick-use slots), ziplines, special grenade types, and a lot more. You can always enter the game world with a free, randomized loadout if you’ve lost ample gear due to repeated deaths. While the free kit is basic, it’s a viable arsenal for most resource-gathering outings, and my friends and I have wiped unsuspecting enemy raiders with much better loadouts. I love outplaying a better-equipped squad with a thoughtful strategy, like using a Lure Grenade to attract a swarm of enemies to their position, and narrowly escaping via the contested exit with my hard-earned spoils. 

I’m looking forward to playing more ARC Raiders over the weekend, so come back early next week to read and watch my full review. However, I can safely recommend the game to competitive multiplayer fans, especially those seeking a fresh (and more challenging) experience. I’ll have to wait to see if ARC Raiders is an easy recommendation for the everyday third-person shooter fan once I’ve put more time into it.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for something to play this weekend, check out Game Informer’s staff recommendations for games to play on Halloween.