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Choose Helldivers 2 if you want dependable co-op against game-controlled enemies without hostile player squads; choose ARC Raiders if you want scavenging and tense extractions and accept that other Raiders may attack. ARC Raiders’ temporary PvE matchmaking test ran October 13–20, 2026, and has ended. As of October 30, Embark had not confirmed a permanent PvE queue; it expected to share more in November. The old test toggle should not be treated as an option you can select now.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARC Raiders | Scavenging, crafting and extraction runs where other players can be a threat | Solo, duo or trio; ordinary sessions are PvPvE | Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Nov 2026 |
| Helldivers 2 | Coordinated missions against hostile forces without enemy player squads | Up to four players; friendly fire is always on | PC, PS5, Xbox | Nov 2026 |
Platform and gameplay descriptions are based on the ARC Raiders official site, its Steam listing, the Helldivers 2 Steam listing and PlayStation support information. Store pages and platform policies can change, so check the current listing before buying.
What is the main difference between ARC Raiders and Helldivers 2?
The main difference is the kind of threat you face and what a successful session means. Helldivers 2 is presented as a cooperative mission shooter against hostile forces, while ARC Raiders mixes machine enemies with the possibility of hostile human Raiders in shared extraction sessions.
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ARC Raiders: loot, risk and extraction
In ARC Raiders, you search surface maps for supplies, contend with ARC machines and other Raiders, and try to extract with what you have found. Loot can feed crafting and upgrades, so returning safely is part of the progression loop—not just a way to finish a match. The possibility of player conflict is inherent to ordinary PvPvE sessions, even if a particular encounter does not turn hostile.
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That structure makes risk part of every decision. You may want to search one more building, take a longer route to a resource, or investigate a dangerous area, but each extra minute can expose your squad to machines and rival Raiders. Leaving early protects a haul but may mean giving up supplies or quest progress. The game therefore creates tension through information and judgment as much as through shooting.
The official listing describes scavenging, repair, crafting, workshop upgrades, Trader quests and a Survival/Mobility/Conditioning skill tree. Those systems give a raid consequences beyond its immediate combat. Materials can support preparation for later runs, while quests and skill choices give regular players goals that are separate from simply winning a firefight.
Do not reduce ARC Raiders to a conventional deathmatch. Other players are part of the ordinary threat model, but the objective is not to hunt every squad. Avoidance, timing and deciding when to extract are meaningful parts of the format. Conversely, do not treat the Steam “PvE” tag as proof that a selectable, permanent player-versus-environment queue exists today.
Helldivers 2: coordinated missions and friendly fire
Helldivers 2 centers on coordinated missions, loadouts and stratagems against game-controlled enemies. A squad chooses equipment before deployment, calls in support tools during a mission and works toward objectives under combat pressure. Players can upgrade their ship and unlock Warbond gear as part of their longer-term progression.
There are no hostile player squads in the advertised co-op mission loop, but that does not mean every danger comes from outside the squad: friendly fire is always on, so teammates can damage one another. A poorly placed strike, explosive or turret can interrupt a rescue, eliminate a teammate or force a recovery under pressure. Communication matters even when all four players share the same objective.
Helldivers 2 is consequently more about executing a plan under pressure than extracting a physical haul. The squad can adjust its loadout, stratagem timing and route to handle the mission. Failure still affects the outcome of that mission, but the documented systems do not establish a universal rule that all equipment or progress is lost after every failed operation.
In short, ARC Raiders asks whether you can get out with your scavenged haul while accounting for other players; Helldivers 2 asks how your squad will coordinate against the mission’s enemies without accidentally making each other part of the problem.
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No permanent PvE-only queue is confirmed in the information available through October 30, 2026. Embark’s October 13–20 matchmaking toggle was a limited test, and the developer later confirmed that it had ended. If you launch ARC Raiders expecting to switch off player conflict through that old toggle, you may not find the option.
What happened during the October test?
For the dated test, other Raiders could not damage one another. Solos, duos and trios shared PvE sessions, so the test did not establish that players would get private instances. A player seeking a quiet run could still encounter other human-controlled teams in the same session, even though those Raiders could not deal damage to one another.
Embark also reduced overall loot value and excluded Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate from the announced test conditions. PvE sessions did not affect the ordinary PvPvE matchmaking rating. These restrictions were important for interpreting the test: the experiment was not a full copy of every ordinary map, condition or reward structure.
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Those details describe the historical test, not a current queue or a promised future design. The October 20 update from The ARC Raiders Team said that the test had ended and that the team did not yet know what the data analysis would mean. It expected to share further information in November; that was a tentative follow-up, not a confirmed mode launch date.
Embark reported more than 30 million PvE rounds played during the test. That figure counts rounds, not unique players, accounts or a forecast of permanent-mode demand. In its test announcement, Embark also said 51% of the surveyed playerbase expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. That describes the surveyed group, not 51% of all game owners or the share that actually played PvE.
Were the test’s other limits permanent?
No. The reduced loot value, excluded maps or conditions, shared sessions and matchmaking-rating treatment were announced test rules. They do not establish how a future permanent mode would work, or whether one will be introduced at all. Until Embark publishes a follow-up decision, a Steam PvE tag should not be read as proof that a PvE-only queue is currently selectable.
Can you switch between PvE and PvPvE?
During the October experiment, the toggle was a matchmaking choice for that dated test period. It was not an announced permanent edition or a separate private campaign. Since the test ended on October 20, players should assume ordinary ARC Raiders sessions remain the relevant format unless Embark announces a change.
Were all maps and conditions available in the test?
No. Embark specifically excluded Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate from the announced PvE-test conditions. That is another reason not to infer that a future mode would offer identical maps, loot or event rules.
Which game works better for your group size?
Helldivers 2 is the fit for a four-person squad: it supports up to four players. ARC Raiders supports solo entry and parties of up to three, so four friends cannot enter together as one ordinary ARC Raiders party. This is a practical limitation before you compare weapons, progression or tone.
Choose ARC Raiders for solo, duo or trio raids
ARC Raiders supports solo, duo and trio play. Solo entry is a matchmaking choice, not an offline campaign or a guarantee of a private instance. A solo player still uses the online service and shares the game’s broader session structure. If your regular group has three people or fewer and enjoys sharing a map with the uncertainty of other Raiders, its party size and extraction loop may suit you.
For a duo or trio, roles can be flexible: one player may prioritize movement and scouting, another may manage supplies or repairs, and the group can decide whether to fight, hide or leave. Those are strategic possibilities of the extraction format, not a promise of fixed classes or required team roles.
Choose Helldivers 2 for a full four-player squad
Helldivers 2 supports squads of up to four. That gives a group of four a straightforward reason to favor it over ARC Raiders, independent of their preferred combat style. Its friendly-fire rule makes coordination relevant even when everyone is on the same side. A four-player group can divide objectives, cover a retreat and coordinate stratagems without splitting into a second party.
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Can you play either game offline or alone?
Neither game is an offline fallback. ARC Raiders requires an internet connection and an Embark ID; solo entry does not make it an offline or private single-player campaign. PlayStation says Helldivers 2 has no offline or single-player mode and describes it as an online team shooter.
That distinction matters for travel, unreliable connections and players who want a self-contained campaign. “Solo” in ARC Raiders means entering the online game without party members. It does not remove matchmaking, account or server requirements. Helldivers 2 likewise expects an online connection even when you are not coordinating with friends in a voice channel.
Platform availability differs by game. ARC Raiders is listed for Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and Embark advertises cross-platform social play. Helldivers 2 is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox, and Arrowhead confirms cross-play. Cross-play lets supported platforms play together; it does not by itself mean that purchases or saved progress transfer between platforms.
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Is cross-play the same as cross-progression?
No. Cross-play concerns joining the same session from supported platforms. Cross-progression concerns carrying unlocks, purchases or saves between those platforms. Arrowhead’s support article, updated October 27, 2026, says Helldivers 2 has no cross-progression plans at this time, and Arrowhead also says the game has no cross-buy.
Do not transfer that Helldivers 2 policy to ARC Raiders without an ARC-specific account statement. Embark advertises cross-platform social play, but the facts here do not establish a confirmed ARC Raiders cross-progression or cross-buy policy. If you intend to change platforms, verify the current account-support documentation first.
How do progression and match stakes differ?
ARC Raiders ties its progression to scavenging and preparation between raids; Helldivers 2 ties it to mission completion, squad equipment and unlocks. Calling both simply “co-op shooters” can obscure the different reasons each game gives you to return.
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The official ARC Raiders listing describes collecting supplies, repairing and crafting equipment, upgrading the workshop, completing Trader quests and developing a Survival/Mobility/Conditioning skill tree. Extracted loot can contribute to crafting and upgrades, which makes the raid’s outcome relevant to longer-term preparation.
The risk is meaningful without requiring an exaggerated loss claim. The documented information does not support saying that every item is lost after every failed run, so do not assume a universal loss rule. Instead, think of the central pressure as deciding how much value to seek and when to secure it. A cautious run and a greedy run can serve different goals.
Helldivers 2 progression
Helldivers 2 emphasizes mission objectives, loadouts and stratagems, alongside ship upgrades and Warbond gear unlocks. PlayStation says purchased Warbonds are not time-limited and that Medals unlock items in their catalogues. You do not need to race a stated expiration date for a purchased Warbond, though current store terms should still be checked.
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The game’s stakes are therefore centered on combat, objectives and squad coordination rather than the extraction-and-loot loop ARC Raiders uses. The available information does not establish a universal failed-mission item-loss rule for Helldivers 2 either. Progress comes from the documented mission and unlock systems, not from assuming that every defeat wipes a complete inventory.
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What do the games cost, and what extra requirements matter?
At the time of the October 2026 price information, PlayStation displayed the Helldivers 2 standard edition at $39.99 in the United States and noted optional in-game purchases. Prices, editions and offers can change. No comparable verified US ARC Raiders price is established here, so that figure should not be treated as a head-to-head price comparison.
PS5 buyers should also account for the PlayStation Plus online-play requirement for Helldivers 2. For either game, verify the current platform-store listing, regional price and any platform subscription requirement before buying; a listed game price does not necessarily include optional purchases or a required online subscription.
Neither game should be described as a free offline alternative on the basis of solo play. ARC Raiders still requires an Embark ID and internet access, while PlayStation explicitly describes Helldivers 2 as online-only with no offline or single-player mode.
Optional merchandise and hardware notes
If you are shopping for a fan rather than choosing a game, keep the product category separate from the purchase decision. PlayStation’s licensed-merchandise page names the HELLDIVERS 2 CE-25 Trench Engineer McFarlane action figure, a physical 7-inch Deluxe Action Figure, and also lists the SA-04 Combat Technician figure with an Amazon destination. These are collectibles, not copies of the game; verify the seller, price and stock before ordering.
PlayStation’s directory also lists a limited-edition Helldivers 2 DualSense controller, licensed plush, replica helmets, prints, posters and playing cards. Availability is not established for every item at every retailer, so treat those as optional gift ideas rather than guaranteed shopping links.
For ARC Raiders, Embark announced an October 29 collection with CORSAIR, SCUF Gaming and Elgato, including named controllers, a keyboard, mouse, headset, mouse pads and Stream Deck hardware. Embark ties exclusive in-game codes to qualifying purchases from the official Corsair collection. Do not assume an Amazon or other retailer purchase includes those codes unless the listing explicitly qualifies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game should you choose?
Use the kind of uncertainty you want in a co-op session as the deciding factor. If a hostile player could make an extraction run more tense or unpredictable, ARC Raiders is the closer match. If you specifically want to fight alongside friends against game-controlled enemies without an opposing Raider squad, Helldivers 2 is the clearer choice.
- Choose Helldivers 2 if your group has four players, you want mission-based co-op against hostile forces, or you do not want enemy player squads. Be ready for friendly fire and online-only play.
- Choose ARC Raiders if you enjoy searching for loot, crafting and trying to extract while accounting for other Raiders as well as machines. Its current ordinary sessions should be understood as PvPvE, not as a permanent PvE-only mode.
- Choose based on progression if you prefer workshop preparation, Trader quests and a Survival/Mobility/Conditioning skill tree, or mission objectives, ship upgrades, stratagems and Warbond catalogues.
- Choose based on party size if four friends need one ordinary party. Helldivers 2 supports four; ARC Raiders supports up to three.
- Do not choose either as an offline substitute. Both require online access, and solo entry does not change that.
- Do not choose ARC Raiders on the assumption that its temporary PvE toggle remains available. Embark had ended the October test and had not confirmed a permanent replacement in its October 20 update.
The strongest dividing lines are therefore player conflict, party size and progression—not a claim that one is universally the better co-op shooter. The better fit depends on whether your group wants extraction risk from other players or a larger squad focused on coordinated missions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Helldivers 2 have cross-progression?
No. Arrowhead Game Studios Player Support said in an article updated October 27, 2026, “We have no plans to implement cross-progression at this time.” Arrowhead also says Helldivers 2 has no cross-buy, so cross-play should not be mistaken for shared purchases or saves: Arrowhead support.
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Is the ARC Raiders PvE toggle still available?
No. Embark’s limited matchmaking test ran October 13–20, 2026, and the October 20 update confirmed that it had ended. Embark had not confirmed a permanent PvE-only queue by October 30 and only said it expected to share more in November.
Can I turn off PvP in ARC Raiders now?
There was no confirmed permanent way to turn off player conflict in the information available through October 30, 2026. The temporary test prevented Raiders from damaging one another, but it was a dated experiment, not a current guaranteed setting.
Which game can four friends play together?
Helldivers 2 supports squads of up to four. ARC Raiders supports solo entry and parties of up to three, so four friends cannot join one ordinary ARC Raiders party.
Can I play ARC Raiders solo offline?
No. Solo entry means entering the online game without party members. ARC Raiders still requires internet access and an Embark ID, and solo matchmaking is not a private offline campaign.
Can I play Helldivers 2 offline?
No. PlayStation says Helldivers 2 has no offline or single-player mode and describes it as an online team shooter.
Do I need PlayStation Plus for Helldivers 2 on PS5?
Yes. PlayStation lists PS Plus as required for online play on PS5. Since Helldivers 2 has no offline or single-player mode, that subscription requirement matters for PS5 players who do not already have online multiplayer access.
Do Helldivers 2 Warbonds expire?
PlayStation says purchased Warbonds are not time-limited. Medals are used to unlock items within their catalogues; the catalogue therefore has no stated expiration deadline, though the store’s current purchase terms should always be checked.
Did ARC Raiders’ PvE test include every map and event?
No. Embark excluded Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate from the announced test conditions. It also reduced overall loot value and kept PvE sessions from affecting the ordinary PvPvE matchmaking rating.
How many PvE rounds did ARC Raiders report during the test?
Embark reported more than 30 million PvE rounds. That is a count of rounds played, not a count of unique players, owners or proof that a permanent mode will launch.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Helldivers 2 is the safer recommendation for dependable PvE, four-player groups and mission-focused teamwork—provided you accept always-on friendly fire and online requirements. ARC Raiders is the better fit for players who want scavenging, crafting and extraction tension, including the possibility of hostile Raiders. Its October 13–20 PvE test is over, so buy it for the current PvPvE premise, not for an assumed permanent PvE toggle.
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