Review: ARC Raiders (PS5)

ARC Raiders is undoubtedly one of the finest multiplayer experiences available on PS5.

This second installment from Swedish studio Embark Studios expertly balances the intense aspects of an extraction shooter while remaining accessible, cinematic, immersive, and, above all, just incredibly fun.

ARC Raiders takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting where a majority of humanity has escaped to outer space.

Those who linger are compelled underground as the lethal ARC machines continuously patrol the surface. Yet, a daring handful, referred to as Raiders, brave the surface in search of loot, loot, and more loot.

This is where the main gameplay loop comes into play: you ascend to the surface, collect as much loot as possible, and then endeavor to return home safely while dodging or defeating ARC machines and other real players. If you perish, everything you’re carrying is left behind.

It follows the fundamental extraction concept that you might recognize from titles like Hunt: Showdown or even Bungie’s forthcoming Marathon.

Nevertheless, ARC Raiders distinguishes itself with a carefully balanced experience that caters to those with just half an hour to spare as well as to those in search of an extended grind.

No matter which side you find yourself on, ARC Raiders delivers an outstanding visual and auditory experience.​

Visually, it combines a Star Wars aesthetic with subtle touches of nature encroaching upon stone structures; some areas would fit right into The Last of Us.

Brutalist designs are adorned with vines and moss. Open fields are cluttered with rusted vehicles and the remains of ARC machines that have perished in prior confrontations. Firearms are rugged, and Raiders don salvaged attire that is both fashionable and fitting for the environment. It’s truly a stunning game.

Each of the four maps possesses a unique appearance and ambiance. The confined and sandy avenues of Buried City starkly contrast with the expansive mountainous terrain of Blue Gate.

All of this is enlivened by a cinematic soundscape that is clear and immersive, yet intentionally imperfect.

It doesn’t reach the immaculate sound design levels you’d encounter in Call of Duty, but is purposefully distorted, echoey, and suitably hazy. It lends every locale a realistic depth, further drawing you into its universe.

What’s more, the audio is not merely superficial. It actively enhances the gameplay, whether through the remote beeps of an extraction signal or the cries of a Snitch alerting you that other Raiders have been detected.

Many of your gameplay decisions can be guided purely by the sound design.

To put it frankly, ARC Raiders is an audiovisual triumph. Yet that’s not all it is, as the emergent gameplay permits each match to weave its own narrative, often feeling like a uniquely crafted single-player adventure.

In one match, you might be stealthily maneuvering through dim corridors, closing in on unsuspecting looters. In another, you could be frantically attempting to flee with a bag brimming with supplies while dodging bullets and rockets.

The gameplay also feels superb. Controls are responsive, firearms feel impactful, and movement is realistic. Embark created one of the best-feeling first-person shooters with The Finals, making it reassuring to see they’ve achieved a similar feat in third-person.

There are unpredictable elements involved with real-life players. We’ve often fallen prey to players simply lying in wait for us to stumble into their trap. There’s also the social aspect, as you can form tentative alliances with other players.

However, a revelation for us has been the formidable nature of the enemy AI. Runs can turn disastrous swiftly if you’re not vigilant.

Hornets can chip away at your shield, Wasps can incapacitate you, Snitches can summon reinforcements, and if a Rocketeer locks onto you, you’re as good as finished.

It all serves to keep you alert. One moment you could be well-prepared with a bag full of loot, and the next you might be dead — that gun you labored to craft is merely a fading memory. It’s the risk and reward dynamic of an extraction shooter, and ARC Raiders balances it almost flawlessly.

The primary difference in experience will depend on whether you are playing with friends or solo. When playing with friends, or even teaming up with other players, the fun is endless as you strategize, set objectives, and figure out how to tackle any unexpected circumstances.

However, there isn’t a solo or duo mode, so if you launch into the game alone, you’ll be pitted against full squads of three. While this can resemble a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, you most certainly find yourself as the mouse, and it can feel somewhat unbalanced at times.

No matter if you’re playing alone or with a squad, what draws you back for more? Well, ARC Raiders incorporates numerous retention mechanics to keep you engaged.

There’s the fundamental gameplay loop of amassing your resources, upgrading workbenches, to craft superior gear for each expedition.

The maps also feature a rotation of variations, from nighttime raids to enormous queen harvesters on the prowl. New maps will eventually be introduced to the game as well.

Additionally, there’s a skill tree that can enhance stamina regeneration, looting speed, and the level of noise you generate while looting, among other attributes.

Vendors provide quests, Decks offer new cosmetics, and Trials introduce a new leveling mechanism for those who enjoy the grind.

The authentic endgame content

takes the shape of Expeditions, which involve gathering resources to create a caravan so you can explore deeper into the Rust Belt. This is ARC Raider’s interpretation of optional character resets.

These are prolonged endeavors, and can solely be accomplished within a designated time frame. If you choose to, your character will be reinstated, but you’ll earn account benefits and unique cosmetics.

What we appreciate about all of this is that it’s completely optional. There’s no obligatory necessity for you to grind the Expeditions to stay even with other players.

If you’re gradually enhancing your skill tree, you don’t have to reset if you lack the time to restart. It’s a game that honors your time and doesn’t compel you through hours of grinding just to reach “the exciting parts”.

On PS5 Pro, we have no grievances concerning performance. Both the Pro and standard PS5 versions strive for 60 frames-per-second, although we have encountered some minor frame rate drops on the standard PS5.

Visually, as we’ve mentioned, it appears impressive in either iteration, with the Pro achieving a slightly higher (though still fluctuating) resolution.

We’re delighted to discover that DualSense haptics are excellent with this release. Weapons have a satisfying force to them, and explosions in particular are quite impactful thanks to Sony’s controller. It should be noted, however, that this isn’t quite on par with Sony’s first-party standards.

Conclusion

ARC Raiders has genuinely been worth the anticipation. This is an extraordinary demonstration of what immersive multiplayer can deliver. Every run is unique, and your team will emerge with tales to share each time. It may be more challenging for those intending to play solo, and the extraction loop might not appeal to everyone. But as far as extraction shooters are concerned, this is among the most user-friendly, and it values your time, providing a fun experience from your initial match. We can confidently assert that ARC Raiders is one of the finest multiplayer games of this generation.