Arc Raiders just dropped out of nowhere and became one of the best-reviewed games of 2025. Embark Studios’ new extraction shooter is sitting at 87 on Metacritic for PC and 88 for PlayStation 5, putting it in the top 20 best games released this year. OpenCritic has it even higher at 94, ranking it joint-first place with Hades 2 and Tears of the Kingdom’s Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. These aren’t numbers you see for new multiplayer games every day, especially not for a fresh IP in a genre that many thought was already oversaturated.
The Extraction Shooter Genre Gets a Refresh
Arc Raiders enters a marketplace dominated by Escape From Tarkov, which set the gold standard for extraction shooters over a decade ago. The genre is intense, punishing, and deliberately unfriendly to newcomers. Tarkov requires you to memorize maps using second-monitor guides, understand complex mechanics, and accept that you will lose fights to people who have sunk hundreds of hours into learning the game.
Embark Studios took a different approach. Instead of trying to out-Tarkov Tarkov, they created an extraction shooter that’s significantly more accessible while still delivering the core appeal of the genre. You drop into maps, collect loot, survive encounters with both AI enemies and human players, and extract before getting caught by the titular Arc robots. But matches are snappy, lasting as little as five minutes if you’re efficient. The learning curve is gentle. Even when you die and lose your gear, you still earn XP and resources from a helpful pet cockerel named Scrappy.
It sounds simple, but reviewers are calling it revolutionary for the genre precisely because it makes the extraction shooter experience accessible without neutering what makes it thrilling.
The AI Robots Are Genuinely Threatening
Arc Raiders’ secret weapon isn’t its smooth controls or beautiful maps, though those help. It’s the Arc robots themselves. In most PvPvE games (player-versus-player-versus-environment), the AI enemies feel like nuisances. They’re obstacles to navigate around, not genuine threats. That’s not the case here.
The Arc robots are intelligent, numerous, and lethal. Some can one-shot you. Some are massive spider-like Queen Arcs that multiple squads need to team up to defeat. Smaller Pops explode on you. Fireballs launch projectiles. Different enemy types require different strategies. Most importantly, firing a shot alerts all nearby robots to your position, forcing you to consider whether that loot cache is worth drawing attention from both AI and human enemies hunting in the same area.
According to PC Gamer’s review, this design choice is genius because it naturally encourages cooperation between strangers while also providing genuine progression incentives. You’re leveling up weapons and gathering resources specifically to tackle harder Arc encounters. The robots aren’t just obstacles. They’re the actual centerpiece of the game.
Why Critics Are Going All-In
GameRant gave Arc Raiders a perfect 10 out of 10, describing it as “fast, punishing, and unpredictable, yet it never forgets to be fun.” They praised the sound design, traversal mechanics, and enemy AI working together to create a rhythm that rewards learning and adaptation rather than just raw reflexes.
The Nerd Stash called it “the pinnacle of extraction shooters,” claiming it’s “the most approachable and addictive extraction shooter in recent memory.” Pocket Tactics described Embark Studios as “a force of nature in the shooter space,” calling Arc Raiders a “masterclass in immersion” and citing its best-in-class sound design and brilliant social systems.
Even IGN, which typically gives modern multiplayer games a measured review, called it “finely-tuned” and “hard to put down” at 10 hours in. They specifically praised the stressful gunplay, where weapons have limited ammo, long reload times, and the constant tension of knowing a single shot could bring all hell down on you.
The consistency across outlets suggests this isn’t hype or a reviewer getting lucky with the RNG. Arc Raiders seems to have genuinely nailed something that most extraction shooters get wrong.
The Casual Extraction Shooter Nobody Knew They Wanted
One recurring theme in positive reviews is the game’s approachability. PC Gamer specifically praised Arc Raiders for being “a less stressful extraction shooter” compared to Tarkov. The game “hands you a gun and some shields” and sends you Topside without requiring you to study fan wikis or spend months learning mechanics.
This isn’t a weakness. It’s the game’s secret weapon for growth. By making extraction shooters accessible to players who don’t have hundreds of hours to invest in learning, Arc Raiders opens the genre to a much broader audience. You don’t need to be a hardcore Tarkov veteran to enjoy Arc Raiders. You just need to be willing to scavenge, fight, and extract.
Eurogamer called it “something truly exemplary,” comparing it to the original Destiny in terms of its impact on the multiplayer landscape. The social systems, gameplay loops, and moment-to-moment action are all working together to create something that resonates beyond just hardcore extraction shooter enthusiasts.
Steam Players Are Obsessed
Before the embargo lifted, Arc Raiders had already accumulated over 9,224 reviews on Steam with a “Very Positive” rating. Player reviews echo what critics are saying. One reviewer called it “something that could sit right next to Escape From Tarkov and The Cycle: Frontier, but with its own soul and flair.” Another said “I’ve never played an extraction shooter before and I didn’t realize how much I like this genre until I played Arc Raiders.”
That second review is key. Arc Raiders isn’t just good for extraction shooter fans. It’s converting new players to the genre because it removes the main barrier to entry: the brutal learning curve and constant punishment that define Tarkov.
Performance That Puts Others to Shame
Buried in the praise is another important detail. Arc Raiders runs exceptionally well, even on lower-end hardware. PC Gamer explicitly called out Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6 as proof that “great performance and low system requirements are king for multiplayer PC games in 2025.”
This matters because it means the game is accessible not just mechanically but also hardware-wise. You don’t need a $2,000 gaming PC to enjoy Arc Raiders. That’s another factor working in its favor for establishing a growing player base.
The Challenge Ahead
With such high reviews and strong community enthusiasm, Arc Raiders has positioned itself to capture significant market share in the extraction shooter space. But maintaining momentum will require smart updates, balanced patches, and a commitment to not letting the player base fracture between casual and hardcore crowds.
PC Gamer’s review specifically called out that maintaining “that sweet spot between fun and challenging” will be crucial. Some hardcore players are already calling for robots to be nerfed, but if Embark caves to those demands, they risk alienating the casual players who made Arc Raiders successful in the first place.
The game’s success will ultimately depend on Embark Studios’ ability to manage a growing community with different expectations and skill levels. But if their track record with The Finals is any indication, they know how to support a live service game thoughtfully.
FAQs
What is Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders is a multiplayer extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. Players drop into maps set in a retro-futuristic 2180 Earth destroyed by mysterious mechanized robots. You loot resources, fight AI enemies and other human players, and attempt to extract before the Arc robots catch you. Matches typically last 5-15 minutes.
How is Arc Raiders different from Tarkov?
Arc Raiders is significantly more casual and accessible than Escape From Tarkov. Matches are faster, the learning curve is gentler, you earn progression even when you die, and the game emphasizes moment-to-moment fun over brutality. It’s designed as an entry point to the extraction shooter genre rather than a hardcore hardcore experience.
What are the review scores for Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders has a Metacritic score of 87 for PC and 88 for PlayStation 5, ranking it among the top 20 best games of 2025. OpenCritic has it even higher at 94. It has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with over 9,000 user reviews.
Who developed Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders was developed by Embark Studios, a Swedish game studio known for their previous hit The Finals. This is their second major release and their first entry into the extraction shooter genre.
What platforms is Arc Raiders available on?
Arc Raiders launched on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox. The game is free-to-play with optional cosmetic purchases.
Is Arc Raiders a live service game?
Yes, Arc Raiders is a live service multiplayer game designed for ongoing updates, seasons, and new content. Embark Studios has committed to supporting the game post-launch.
How difficult is Arc Raiders for beginners?
Arc Raiders is specifically designed to be accessible to newcomers. You don’t need to memorize maps or study wikis before playing. The game provides gentle progression, and you earn rewards even when you fail to extract. However, skilled players can still dominate through better aim, positioning, and map knowledge.
What do you need to extract?
You need to reach an extraction point while carrying loot. You can extract with as little as 5 minutes in a match or spend longer looting and fighting. The longer you stay Topside, the more loot you can gather, but the higher the risk of encountering stronger enemies or losing it all.
Are there better-rated games in 2025?
According to Metacritic, Arc Raiders ranks 19th for best games of 2025. Only a handful of games rank higher, including Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds. On OpenCritic, it’s tied for first place with Hades 2 and Tears of the Kingdom’s Switch 2 Edition.
Conclusion
Arc Raiders proved that the extraction shooter genre has room for new voices and fresh approaches. By focusing on accessibility without sacrificing tension or challenge, Embark Studios created something that appeals to hardcore extraction shooter veterans and complete newcomers alike. The reviews speak for themselves – this is one of 2025’s best multiplayer games. Whether Arc Raiders can maintain this momentum and build a thriving community long-term remains to be seen, but out of the gate, it’s firing on all cylinders. If you’ve been curious about extraction shooters but intimidated by Tarkov, Arc Raiders is your entry point. And if you’re already deep into the genre, Arc Raiders offers a refreshing take on familiar mechanics. Either way, the critical and community consensus is clear: Arc Raiders is the real deal.