ARC Raiders stands out as one of the most eagerly awaited extraction shooters set to release in 2025, with the launch date fast approaching. Created by the developers behind THE FINALS, this title promises a thrilling and immersive journey where players must contend with both each other and the formidable ARC machines.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take an exclusive preview of ARC Raiders at a closed event on October 23. This playtest showcased new loot and introduced us to a fresh map called Blue Gate–an aesthetically stunning valley that acts as a gateway into mountainous terrain.
In contrast to maps like the Buried City and Dam Battlegrounds, Blue Gate offers a more open environment, characterized by spacious fields, rolling hills, and expansive sightlines, while still retaining features reminiscent of Italian architecture. Although the view is breathtaking, it can be quickly disrupted by long-range attacks. For most of our engagement, we opted for sniper or battle rifles, allowing us to survey and engage from a distance.
As with the other maps in ARC Raiders, Blue Gate is filled with its own mysteries–some interactive and others purely for visual appeal. One secret we uncovered was a locked basement in one of the villas. To access this space, players must find four hidden buttons around the building to unlock the hatch and claim the loot inside, which typically includes firearms, firearm components, and a blueprint. Additionally, there’s a hut outside that contains another basement, this one open to exploration. Inside, players can find a chilling torture room. While there isn’t much action to take aside from looting a few more weapons, stumbling upon it adds to the eerie atmosphere.
The presence of ARC is strongly felt on Blue Gate, with an increased number of units making the gameplay more challenging. Players will encounter various machines, including Bombardiers, Leapers, Rocketeers, Snitches, Hornets, and other lesser drones. To combat these threats, we were equipped with specialized anti-ARC weaponry, such as the Epic-rated Hullcracker launcher. This weapon is designed to cause significant damage to ARCs upon impact, much like the Wolfpack grenade.
The Hullcracker significantly simplified our battles against ARC units. It typically takes about four rockets to eliminate a Rocketeer or a Leaper. With a full squad equipped with Hullcrackers, players can embark on a systematic hunt for these machines. In addition to this powerful weapon, we had access to various gadgets, including the Photoelectric Cloak, which helps in remaining undetected by ARC foes.
This arsenal equipped us well to navigate the challenges of Blue Gate, and players will have the chance to experience this themselves when ARC Raiders is released worldwide around midday CET on October 30.
