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ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure set on a ravaged future Earth. You play as a Raider who prepares in the underground community of Speranza, ventures to the dangerous surface to scavenge and pursue quests, then tries to get out with valuable loot. Mechanized ARC machines and other players make each trip risky; the story unfolds gradually through quests and remnants of the past.

What kind of game is ARC Raiders?

ARC Raiders is an extraction game, not a linear single-player campaign. Its central challenge is deciding how much risk to take on a surface run: loot can improve your equipment or be sold, but you must survive long enough to bring it home. The official ARC Raiders overview describes the game as a multiplayer extraction adventure against a mysterious mechanized threat.

You can play alone or in a party of up to three. Other Raiders are part of the uncertainty: they may compete for resources, avoid a fight, or become a threat when you least expect it. Steam describes the experience as shaped by fellow survivors’ choices as well as the machines you encounter.

How does the gameplay loop work?

Prepare in Speranza

Speranza is the underground community hub. Before heading out, Raiders use a workshop to craft, repair, and upgrade gear. Materials and ARC parts gathered on earlier trips can feed into crafting, while useful loot can also be sold. This preparation is the longer-term layer behind the immediate risk of an extraction run.

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#1 Best Overall
ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]
  • ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
  • Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.

Go topside to scavenge and pursue quests

On the surface, you search for valuable supplies, confront or evade ARC machines, and decide how far to push your luck. Trader quests give you objectives, rewards, and XP. Other players may be pursuing the same resources, so a run can change quickly depending on who you meet and how they respond.

Return with what you can carry

The aim is not simply to collect items; it is to make it back with them. A successful extraction turns a dangerous outing into resources for future gear and progression. The tension comes from balancing further exploration against the chance of losing the opportunity to bring loot home.

Where is ARC Raiders set?

The game takes place on a lethal future Earth, but the official description does not give a precise historical date. Its world combines remnants of Italy’s rich history with harsh infrastructure built for space travel. Speranza sits underground, while the surface bears the visible scars of earlier conflicts and remains under threat from ARC.

That contrast shapes the setting: a human community survives below while Raiders venture into a striking but dangerous world above. Embark’s official site describes this as a post-post-apocalyptic setting, rather than presenting the world as a simple wasteland.

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Rank #3
ARK: Survival Evolved - Nintendo Switch
  • Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
  • Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
  • Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
  • Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
  • Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout

What is the story of ARC Raiders?

ARC is the name given to the mechanized threat dominating the surface. Its origin remains mysterious in the game’s overview, so a spoiler-light explanation should not claim a definitive answer about who or what created it.

The narrative is revealed gradually. Trader quests introduce characters, their agendas, and their hopes for Speranza; remnants found in the world let Raiders piece together what happened before and how the current conflicts developed. The story is woven into exploration and progression rather than presented only as a single, straightforward campaign.

Rank #4
ARK: Survival Evolved (PS4)
  • Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
  • Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
  • Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
  • Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts

Progression: quests, crafting, and skills

Progress continues between expeditions as well as during them. Traders offer quests that reward XP and useful items, and scavenged materials can support crafting and workshop upgrades. Skill points are spent across three branches: Survival, Mobility, and Conditioning. Together, these systems give repeated trips a purpose beyond the loot from any one run.

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Platforms, release date, and PC requirements

ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025. Embark currently lists Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GeForce NOW, and describes cross-platform social play across console and PC. Availability can vary by service and region, so check the relevant store or platform listing.

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For Windows PC, Steam lists these minimum and recommended specifications. Store requirements may change, so confirm the live Steam listing before buying or installing.

Specification Minimum Recommended
Operating system Windows 10 or later, 64-bit Not stated by Steam
Memory 12 GB RAM 16 GB RAM
Graphics Not stated in the supplied Steam minimum specification GeForce RTX 2070, Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Intel Arc B570
DirectX Version 12 Not stated by Steam
Network Broadband internet connection Not stated by Steam

What is happening in ARC Raiders now?

As of October 7, 2026, Embark’s official news index lists the Frozen Trail update for October 8, 2026. The official homepage also lists a free-play period from October 8 through October 12, 2026. These are time-sensitive announcements; check Embark’s official site for current availability and details.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.