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I had been waiting for a reason to buy ARC Raiders. Its original pitch sounded like the kind of co-op adventure I wanted, but the released game was a PvPvE extraction shooter: machines, rival players and the risk of losing a run’s haul. Embark’s temporary PvE matchmaking test finally gave me a lower-conflict way in, and that was enough to make me buy it. After playing, I’m having a blast—but the important qualification is that PvE is currently a limited test, not a promise that the whole game has become PvE-only.
Why the PvE test changed my buying decision
ARC Raiders is an online extraction adventure on a future Earth damaged by the mechanized ARC threat. You go topside, scavenge equipment, fight machines and attempt to extract with your haul. In the standard experience, other Raiders can also attack you, turning every valuable find and extraction route into a risk calculation.
Embark said on September 24, 2026 that it originally envisioned “a raid-based PvE Co-op game with looting mechanics,” then reset the project into the high-tension PvPvE extraction game that launched. That history explains why the PvE test feels like more than a random playlist: it addresses a player concern the studio itself acknowledges.
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The beta runs from October 13 through October 20, 2026. A matchmaking toggle lets players choose standard PvPvE sessions or PvE servers. In PvE sessions, player-to-player damage is disabled, so a stranger cannot simply shoot you while you are fighting an ARC machine or carrying loot toward extraction.
#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
What PvE removes—and what it keeps
- Zero player-to-player damage.
- Physical interactions that do not deal damage, including barricades and ziplines, remain active.
- Loot value is lower than in standard matchmaking.
- Solos, Duos and Trios can appear in the same PvE session.
- Some major conditions are unavailable, including Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate and Redirection.
This is not a consequence-free sightseeing mode. ARC enemies can reacquire a downed player after an eight-second grace period, and extraction objectives still create pressure. Embark also warns that matchmaking can take longer in regions with fewer players. The test preserves the game’s basic loop—prepare, enter, loot, survive and extract—while removing the part of PvP that was the biggest barrier for me.
Is ARC Raiders now a full PvE game?
No. The base game remains a PvPvE extraction adventure, and the PvE option is explicitly a beta used to gather data. Embark had not confirmed that the toggle would remain permanently at the time of the test. Treat it as a current purchasing reason, not a guaranteed long-term feature.
Rank #2
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
That distinction matters if you dislike PvP. You can buy the game because the present test offers a protected co-op route, but you should be comfortable with the possibility that matchmaking rules, map conditions or the toggle’s availability may change after October 20.
Solo and co-op play
You can play alone or in teams of two or three. The game supports cross-platform social play across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and it is also listed for GeForce NOW. That makes it practical to start solo, invite friends on another platform, or form a small squad without everyone owning the same hardware.
Rank #3
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Solo play is still an extraction game rather than a separate single-player campaign: you remain online, manage supplies and react to ARC threats. In PvE matchmaking, mixed Solos, Duos and Trios mean the server can contain players with different squad sizes, but the no-damage rule prevents those encounters from becoming firefights.
Price and edition choice
Steam and PlayStation list the Standard Edition at $39.99 and the Deluxe Edition at $59.99 at the time of reporting. Prices and included extras can vary by storefront or change later, so check the current product page before checkout.
Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*.
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online with the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button.
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games.
| Edition | Listed price | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $39.99 | Most players, especially anyone buying to try the PvE test and core extraction loop |
| Deluxe | $59.99 | Players who specifically want the additional items listed by the storefront |
The game is online-only. A headset with a microphone is optional for coordinating with friends, not a requirement for solo play.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCan your PC run ARC Raiders?
Compare your computer with Steam’s published requirements before buying. DirectX 12 and broadband internet are required.
Best Value
- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later, 64-bit | Windows 10, 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, AMD RX 580 or Intel Arc A380-class GPU | NVIDIA RTX 2070, AMD RX 5700 XT or Intel Arc B570-class GPU |
These are published hardware targets, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate or image-quality setting. If your system falls below minimum, solve that compatibility question before considering accessories or optimization software.
Platforms and console details
Embark lists Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and GeForce NOW as available platforms, with cross-platform social play. The PlayStation release is PS5-only, not PS4. On PS5, the game supports the DualSense controller’s vibration and adaptive trigger effects.
How the game is being received
Steam’s English user-review listing was marked Very Positive at roughly 200,000 reviews and about 81–82% positive when checked on October 16, 2026. That is a changing, user-generated snapshot rather than a permanent score. Nexon’s Q4 2025 investor presentation reported 14 million units sold to date; that figure is company-reported and dated to that presentation.
My buying verdict
The PvE beta gave me the missing justification: I could experience the scavenging, machine fights and extraction tension without treating every other player as an immediate threat. It did not erase the game’s stakes, lower loot values or online requirements, and it may not become permanent. For a player who hates being ambushed but still wants a co-op extraction loop, that temporary option is enough to make the $39.99 Standard Edition a defensible purchase. Players who specifically want a permanent, purely PvE campaign should wait for Embark’s post-beta decision rather than assuming this test is the final design.
Quick Recap
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.
