ARC Raiders : Explorez l’action du jeu futuriste
Game overview
ARC Raiders (développé par Embark Studios, créateur de The Finals) est un jeu de tir à la troisième personne sorti le 30 octobre 2025 sur PC, PS5 et Xbox Series X|S.
It takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth has been largely ravaged by deadly machines called “ARC” that dominate the surface, forcing humanity to live underground.
The player takes on the role of a “Raider,” an individual who ventures to the surface to collect valuable resources, but finds themselves facing two types of dangers: ARC machines and other hostile Raiders (players).
Initially announced as a free cooperative game, the format has changed and it is now a paid PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) extraction title.
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© Embark Studios / Nexon
Source: Bande annonce officielle-Youtube-Arc Raiders.
Modes and gameplay
The game only has one game mode which is an extraction: you enter the surface for a limited time (about 30 minutes during a raid) to search, fight (players and machines) and attempt to extract yourself.
You can play solo or in a team (usually up to three players depending on the session).
Matchmaking adapts situations for solo or group play, and sessions combine AI (ARC machines) + players (humans).
Gameplay
Third-person shooting, smooth movement; tests highlighted the good animation and beautiful immersion.
The loop: go on a raid → collect loot/resources → avoid or confront other Raiders and machines → extract to keep what you have collected.
Le monde est pensé avec des various environments (zones de surface, infrastructure endommagée) ; le décor influe sur la tactique.
After your extraction, you return to base to sell, upgrade, and craft equipment to better prepare for the next raid.
The suspense is constant: dying means losing the equipment/resources collected in that raid, which adds an “extraction shooter” tension.
The gameplay is fast and fluid with jumps, slides, sprints, etc.
source: Youtube-Wisethug 01/11/2025
Strengths
Visual and audio atmosphere: feedback reports excellent immersion, with carefully crafted machine designs and effects.
Popular extraction concept: the PvPvE format (combining AI + players) attracts an audience that enjoys both looting and player vs. player combat.
Superior accessibility: Compared to other hardcore extraction titles, ARC Raiders seems to want to be more accessible to a wider audience.
Long-term potential: the studio has expressed its long-term ambitions, which could mean support, updates, etc.
Cross-platform/large player base from launch: this helps with matchmaking and creating a vibrant community.
Weak points.
Despite a promising start, ARC Raiders is not without its flaws.
Some players find the game quite challenging, particularly because of the extraction system: if you fail, you lose the loot you have accumulated, which can discourage newcomers or more casual players.
PvP (player versus player) is another point of discussion. While it adds suspense and tension, it can sometimes spoil the experience for those who prefer to focus on cooperation or exploration. Many would like a purely PvE mode, without player-versus-player combat.
The content also lacks variety. The maps and objectives become somewhat repetitive over time, giving the impression of a sometimes monotonous gameplay loop. Over time, new areas, missions, and events should enrich the experience.
Finally, some regret the change in business model: the game was initially announced as free-to-play, before becoming a paid game. This may have surprised many, especially with the presence of cosmetic items in the store.
Why is this a game to watch?
For fans of thrills, loot, tactical combat, and immersive atmospheres, this is a serious contender. ARC Raiders stands out as an ambitious newcomer to the extraction shooter genre, a type of game that is still young but rapidly growing in popularity. Few titles manage to balance both PvE (battles against AI) and PvP (player-versus-player combat), and Embark Studios seems to be off to a good start.
The studio is no stranger to success: it is behind The Finals, another game praised for its fast-paced gameplay and bold artistic direction. This experience inspires confidence in the future development and quality of ARC Raiders.
The game has already enjoyed a strong launch and has an active player base, which is crucial for this type of multiplayer title. If Embark continues to add content, refine the balance, and support its community, ARC Raiders could become a true benchmark for the genre.
In short, this is a game to keep an eye on, whether you're a fan of tactical shooting, cooperative play, or simply curious to discover an original and immersive universe.
Public notice
Since its release, ARC Raiders has been met with great enthusiasm by the gaming community. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the visual atmosphere and artistic direction. Players praise the attention to detail in the environments, lighting effects, and sound design, which they describe as “immersive and powerful.”
Many also appreciate the constant tension of extraction raids: the feeling of risk, the stress of losing everything, but also the satisfaction of a successful extraction give the game a rare intensity. Several players point out that this formula “gets the adrenaline pumping like few other titles.”
However, some feedback is more nuanced. Some players feel that PvP is sometimes too prevalent, which can make sessions frustrating for those who prefer exploration or cooperative play. Others find the gameplay still a little repetitive over time or regret that some mechanics lack balance.
On Steam, the game nevertheless has an overall favorable rating, with many comments highlighting the smooth gameplay, high-quality animations, and long-term potential of the title. The community seems convinced that if Embark Studios continues on this path with regular updates and new content, ARC Raiders could become a benchmark in the extraction shooter genre.
In summary, the public sees ARC Raiders as a diamond in the rough: already fun, beautiful, and immersive, but still needing a few tweaks to reveal its full potential.
Source: Youtube- shroud 29 oct.2025
Our opinion
After several hours of gameplay, I can say without hesitation that ARC Raiders is one of the best extraction shooters out there right now. The first thing that strikes you is the smoothness of the gameplay: movement, shooting, interactions—everything is faster and more intense than in most games of this genre. There is a real sense of control over the pace, with no sluggishness or downtime, making each raid dynamic and intense.
Le design du jeu est tout simplement remarquable. La carte est vaste et variée, alternant entre zones désertiques, forêts denses et ruines industrielles. Chaque environnement possède sa propre atmosphère, son ambiance sonore et ses conditions de combat, ce qui renforce l’immersion. Les effets visuels et le travail sur le son (vent, métal, échos, cris des machines) créent une tension constante, comme si chaque pas pouvait te trahir. Graphiquement, le jeu est superbe et terriblement immersif.
Another aspect that impressed me was the difficulty of the AI enemies. In many extraction shooters, the bots are rather passive or easy to eliminate. Here, it's the opposite: the ARC machines are formidable. They react quickly, hit hard, and can cause you as much trouble as a human player. This gives the game a more realistic survival curve, where danger comes from all sides, and that's exactly what makes the raids so thrilling.
When it comes to weapons, innovation is the name of the game. The weapons don't just imitate the classics of the genre (gone are the ubiquitous M4 and AK-47): here, you'll find original creations such as nail guns, energy rifles, and completely new hybrid models. This brings a real freshness and encourages experimentation to find your own playing style.
In short, ARC Raiders succeeds where many others simply copy existing formulas: it brings rhythm, personality, and a real sense of danger. It's an ambitious title, and one that, in my opinion, is well worth checking out.
Conclusion
ARC Raiders shows promise. It combines a well-crafted atmosphere, smooth extraction gameplay, and an accessible model. However, it remains to be seen how the game will evolve over time: addition of modes, PvP/PvE balancing, monetization, post-launch content.
If you like: tactical loot, thrills, exploring hostile environments with friends, then this is a game to play or keep an eye on.
If you prefer: quieter experiences, solo or without PvP pressure, then you may need to wait and see how the ecosystem stabilizes.

