After winning Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2025 and selling over 12 million copies, Arc Raiders has cemented itself as the extraction shooter to beat. Embark Studios—the team behind The Finals—delivered something special here, and three months post-launch, it’s only getting better.
Whether you’re curious about what makes this game different or deciding if it’s worth your $40, here’s everything you need to know about Arc Raiders heading into 2026.
Quick Answer
- What it is: A third-person PvPvE extraction shooter from Embark Studios
- Price: $40 (dropped the free-to-play model before launch)
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S with full crossplay
- Player count: 700,000+ concurrent players across platforms
- Review scores: 92% of critics recommend it (OpenCritic)
- Best for: Players who want an accessible extraction shooter with incredible atmosphere and polish
What Is Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter developed and published by Embark Studios, released on October 30, 2025. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it’s the studio’s second major release following The Finals.
The core loop is simple: You’re a “raider” who ventures to the hostile surface to scavenge resources, then extracts back to your underground home base. Along the way, you’ll face deadly robotic enemies called ARC and other human players who might help you—or hunt you.
You can play solo or in squads of two or three. Matches last around 30 minutes, giving you time to explore, loot, complete quests, and make it out alive. If you die, you lose your gear (except items in your safe pocket). High stakes, high reward.
The game originally announced as free-to-play in 2021, but Embark pivoted to a premium $40 model before launch—a decision that’s paid off spectacularly.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Arc Raiders nails the extraction shooter formula while sanding down the genre’s roughest edges.
Combat is weighty and satisfying. You’ll craft weapons and gear at your base, then bring them topside where every encounter matters. The ARC robots range from small scouts to terrifying heavy units, and learning their patterns is essential.
PvP is optional but ever-present. Other raiders share your map. Some will wave and move on. Others will wait until you’re fighting robots to ambush you. The social dynamics create genuinely memorable moments—IGN called it “an unpredictable, immersive, thrilling story generator directed by the community.”
Key mechanics include:
- 30-minute raids with multiple extraction points (elevators, metros, air shafts)
- Raider hatches for safer extraction (requires keys)
- Safe pocket storage that persists through death
- Vendor quests that send you after specific items or locations
- Solo-friendly matchmaking that pairs you against other solo players when possible
The base gameplay loop—upgrade, raid, extract, repeat—is immediately satisfying. GamesRadar noted it’s “approachable while still being palpably tense” and recommended it as the entry point for extraction shooter newcomers.
The Setting
The year is 2180. Decades ago, mysterious machines descended from space and devastated humanity. These “ARC” (named for their radar signatures) forced survivors underground while they harvested Earth’s surface.
You live in Toledo, a makeshift city beneath post-apocalyptic Italy’s Rust Belt region. Your community, Speranza, survives on what raiders bring back from the surface. It’s a desperate existence—but there’s beauty in the destruction.
Embark Studios created something visually stunning here. The surface is haunting, atmospheric, and detailed. Every corner tells a story about the world that was.
The soundtrack by Patrik Andrén and Johan Söderqvist earned BAFTA longlisting for good reason. Hardcore Gamer called it “a soundtrack that isn’t from this universe.”
Why Arc Raiders Stands Out
The extraction shooter market is crowded. So why has Arc Raiders sold 12 million copies in three months?
Polish. This is one of the most technically impressive games of 2025. Load times are minimal, gunplay feels precise, and the UE5 visuals are stunning.
Accessibility. Unlike some extraction shooters that throw you into the deep end, Arc Raiders respects your time. You can have fun from your first match, not your fiftieth.
Atmosphere. The post-apocalyptic setting, excellent sound design, and environmental storytelling create genuine immersion. Every raid feels like an adventure.
The social layer. Emergent player interactions—truces, betrayals, unexpected alliances—create stories you’ll actually want to tell friends about.
Awards and recognition:
- Won Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2025
- Won Most Innovative Gameplay at The Steam Awards 2025
- BAFTA longlisted for Best Game, Audio, Music, Multiplayer, New IP, and Technical Achievement
2026 Roadmap and Latest Updates
Embark Studios just dropped their January-April 2026 roadmap dubbed “Escalation,” and they’re not slowing down.
Headwinds Update (January 27, 2026)
The first major content drop of 2026 arrives tomorrow with some significant additions:
- Solo vs. Squads matchmaking — Level 40+ players can now queue as a solo against teams of up to three for extra XP. A true test of skill.
- Bird City map condition — A bizarre but intriguing addition to Buried City where bird swarms leave better loot on rooftops.
- Open parties — Players can join between matches for smoother squad play.
- Expanded squad invites — Squadmates can invite additional players directly.
- Arc Trophy display — Show off your achievements at base.
- New long-term player project — Additional endgame goals.
- Sandwalker cosmetic set — Fresh drip for the fashion-conscious raiders.
“Headwinds is about opening up new ways for the community to approach ARC Raiders and additional challenges for advanced players,” said design director Virgil Watkins.
What’s Coming Next:
- February — Shrouded Sky: New map condition (wind-related?), new Arc threat, new Raider Deck, Expedition Window, and map update.
- March — Flashpoint: Another Arc threat, new map condition, and a Scrappy update (everyone’s favorite resource-collection rooster).
- April — Riven Tides: New map and a new large Arc threat. The umbrella icon suggests beaches or watery areas—expect it to be crawling with lost loot and Raider flares.
The new map in April will be the first since Stella Montis launched in November 2025, putting about five months between major map additions. Embark is also actively battling cheaters, with recent patches targeting Stella Montis exploits.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, if:
- You’re curious about extraction shooters but found others too punishing
- You want a polished multiplayer experience with real atmosphere
- You enjoy PvPvE tension and emergent player interactions
- You have friends to squad up with (though solo works too)
Maybe wait if:
- You hate losing progress on death
- You want a purely PvE experience
- You’re looking for competitive esports-style gameplay
At $40, Arc Raiders offers exceptional value. Push Square called it “one of the best multiplayer games this generation,” and the player counts back that up.
FAQ
Q: Is Arc Raiders free-to-play?
A: No. Embark dropped the F2P model before launch. It costs $40 on all platforms.
Q: Does Arc Raiders have crossplay?
A: Yes, full crossplay across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Q: Can I play Arc Raiders solo?
A: Yes. The matchmaking system generally places solo players against other solos for fairer encounters.
Q: How long are Arc Raiders matches?
A: Raids last up to 30 minutes, though you can extract earlier once you’ve collected what you need.
Q: What happens when I die in Arc Raiders?
A: You lose any gear and materials you collected during that raid, except items stored in your safe pocket. You respawn at base.
Q: Is Arc Raiders like Escape from Tarkov?
A: Similar genre (extraction shooter), but more accessible and third-person. Critics recommend it as an entry point for players intimidated by hardcore extraction games.
Related Guides
If you’re interested in extraction shooters, check out our coverage of
Marathon: Bungie’s Upcoming Extraction Shooter—another highly anticipated entry in the genre.
For the latest on other major 2026 releases, see our roundup of the
Most Anticipated Games of 2026.
Summary
Arc Raiders has earned its spot as the extraction shooter of the moment. Embark Studios delivered a polished, atmospheric, and genuinely accessible take on the genre—and 12 million players agree. With consistent updates planned throughout 2026, now’s a great time to jump in.
