ARC Raiders consumed my weekend. And frankly, I wish I had more to give.
I play solo and I've not had a single PvP encounter. Everyone has been really chill. Sometimes we shoot the same ARC. Sometimes we just look at each other cautiously. Sometimes we don't notice the other person crawling as we close the elevator. That's been a bummer. Happened to me twice.
A rule I now live by. If you see an open elevator, run to it. DO NOT ENGAGE WITH AN ARC THAT'S HANGING AROUND. Just head to the elevator and slide in.
My progress has been laughably slow. I run in, grab a bunch of stuff, and leave as soon as I can. I have piles of stuff just sitting in my vault. I've died so many times to ARCs when I did not need to engage. I've got a decent amount of rare ARC items but can't find mechanical components or wires to save my life.
Yet I keep returning. I find myself improving each game. For example, I'm getting just a little better at picking up sounds. I was demolished by ticks the first three encounters. The last two, I was prepared and killed them with a melee attack.
The gun play feels slow and thoughtful unless you are surrounded by three ARCs. I just saved up enough to buy the anvil, a six cylinder handgun with a kick. A great gun but I still feel a kindred spirit with the ferro. That's a single shot rifle, almost like a muzzle loader.
I skulk around and avoid conflict when I can. Picking through metal boxes and smoking wasps. Maybe shooting an ARC in the distance because it's trying to kill another player.
The game feels hopeful. I like that most about it.
It doesn't feel like we're in this post apocalyptic time, killing each other. That's old hat. I want collective change. I want a game to show that. ARC Raiders does, if you play solo.
I hope Embark Studios continues to support soft solo play. It'll keep me coming back.
Saturday night, I upgraded to the deluxe edition. I didn't really need to but I felt like I needed to vote with my wallet.
I've not opened Marathon since.