Initial thoughts - will likely update in 10-20 more hrs of gameplay

Arc Raiders currently feels like a heavily simplified version of Tarkov, which is appealing because Tarkov is overly complex IMHO. Arc incorporates elements of environmental interaction and looting reminiscent of DayZ, while its attempt to replicate the masterful PvPvE boss-fighting and world-building of Hunt falls significantly short. While Hunt sets an exceptionally high bar, with seven to eight more years of development, its environments are exquisitely designed, oozing with passionately designed rich atmosphere and meticulous, handcrafted detail that even surpasses the loving environmental quality of even Red Dead Redemption 2 – Gerald please don’t kill me.

Although it’s early days for Arc Raiders as a live service game, so I realise it will continually improve, though Hunt’s initial release was superior compared to Arc’s. I strongly dislike the mundane and repetitive Bethesda-style missions required for gathering tons of resources and unlocking content, the Tarkov-esque base building, station-making, and upgrading as unnecessary time sinks intended solely to keep players engaged and spending money in a live service model. It appears as if these features distracted the developers from focusing on intense PvPvE fights and environments/immersion, which is why I favour Hunt above all, as it stripped out this progression ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to concentrate on core gameplay. Though, Hunt has recently introduced optional time-sink quests which I dislike at least they waited eight years to work on the game to introduce those and they are entirely optimal unlike in Arc where you have to do them to progress.

Despite these reservations, I enjoyed my first coop session last night playing with someone I met and had fun working together. I’d likely have been upset, so far, if I paid over $25 but since I got it for $2.45 you’ll have no complaints about price to game time and enjoyment from me. I definitely look forward to playing for a while (20-50 hours), particularly with the bros, anticipating it will be a blast, and then likely returning for major updates to see how the game has progressed. I am most definitely looking forward to getting back to playing multiplayer with whacky buddies, the ensuing funny bros banter, and general ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that seems to take place in these games with friends.

Initial thoughts - will likely update in 10-20 more hrs of gameplay Arc Raiders currently feels like a heavily simplified version of Tarkov, which is appealing because Tarkov is overly complex IMHO. Arc incorporates elements of environmental interaction and looting reminiscent of DayZ, while its attempt to replicate the masterful PvPvE boss-fighting and world-building of Hunt falls significantly short. While Hunt sets an exceptionally high bar, with seven to eight more years of development, its environments are exquisitely designed, oozing with passionately designed rich atmosphere and meticulous, handcrafted detail that even surpasses the loving environmental quality of even Red Dead Redemption 2 – Gerald please don’t kill me. Although it’s early days for Arc Raiders as a live service game, so I realise it will continually improve, though Hunt’s initial release was superior compared to Arc’s. I strongly dislike the mundane and repetitive Bethesda-style missions required for gathering tons of resources and unlocking content, the Tarkov-esque base building, station-making, and upgrading as unnecessary time sinks intended solely to keep players engaged and spending money in a live service model. It appears as if these features distracted the developers from focusing on intense PvPvE fights and environments/immersion, which is why I favour Hunt above all, as it stripped out this progression bullshit to concentrate on core gameplay. Though, Hunt has recently introduced optional time-sink quests which I dislike at least they waited eight years to work on the game to introduce those and they are entirely optimal unlike in Arc where you have to do them to progress. Despite these reservations, I enjoyed my first coop session last night playing with someone I met and had fun working together. I’d likely have been upset, so far, if I paid over $25 but since I got it for $2.45 you’ll have no complaints about price to game time and enjoyment from me. I definitely look forward to playing for a while (20-50 hours), particularly with the bros, anticipating it will be a blast, and then likely returning for major updates to see how the game has progressed. I am most definitely looking forward to getting back to playing multiplayer with whacky buddies, the ensuing funny bros banter, and general shitassery that seems to take place in these games with friends.