ARC Raiders is having a major moment, and it may be the best time yet to jump in. Embark Studios’ third-person extraction shooter is free to play on Steam until October 12, giving new players a chance to explore its dangerous world without paying upfront. At the same time, the game is available at 50% off until October 15, dropping the price to $19.99.
The free trial arrives alongside Frozen Trail, the biggest ARC Raiders update so far. Released on October 8, the update adds a new map, fresh enemies, additional weapons, and a range of gameplay improvements designed to make raids feel more intense, varied, and rewarding.
ARC Raiders takes place in a ruined future where a mysterious machine threat known as ARC has forced humanity underground. Survivors now live in the city of Speranza, but survival still depends on dangerous expeditions to the surface. Players take on the role of Raiders, scavengers who venture into abandoned cities, decaying industrial zones, and overgrown landscapes in search of resources, old technology, and valuable loot.
The catch is that the machines are not the only danger. Other players are also hunting for supplies, and every encounter can unfold differently. Some Raiders may attack on sight, others may choose to walk away, and in rare cases, temporary alliances can form when survival becomes more important than greed.
At its core, ARC Raiders is a tense extraction shooter with a strong mix of PvE and PvP action. Players can head out solo or team up in squads of up to three. Each raid is a gamble: find gear, fight hostile robots, collect resources, and escape before things go wrong. If you make it to extraction, your haul can be used to craft weapons, improve your workshop, and strengthen your character. If you die, you lose your equipment and everything gathered during the run.
That risk-and-reward loop is a major part of the game’s appeal. Every trip above ground feels unpredictable because threats can come from all directions. One moment, you might be sneaking past patrols of machines; the next, you could be caught between enemy robots and a rival Raider squad looking to steal your loot.
ARC Raiders has earned strong attention from players and critics alike. On Steam, 81% of more than 419,000 user reviews are positive, showing that the game has built a solid community despite the competitive extraction shooter market. It also holds a Metascore of 86, while its user score sits at 7.3. Steam Deck owners can also try it, as the game is rated “Playable” on Valve’s handheld.
The game has been praised for its immersive world, atmospheric presentation, strong sound design, and unpredictable player encounters. Its combination of machine-based PvE combat and player-driven PvP tension helps it stand out from many other shooters. However, some players have pointed to weapon handling, cosmetic pricing, and long-term content depth as areas that could still be improved.
The new Frozen Trail update appears to be a major step toward expanding the experience. A new map gives players more territory to explore, while new weapons and enemies add more variety to each raid. The update also brings gameplay refinements, which could help improve the overall feel of combat and progression.
Another major feature is on the way shortly after the free weekend. From October 13 to October 20, Embark Studios plans to test a PvE-only matchmaking option. This mode will allow players to fight ARC machines without worrying about being ambushed by other Raiders. For players who enjoy the world and combat but prefer a less competitive experience, this could be a welcome addition.
The PvE-only test could also make ARC Raiders more accessible to newcomers. Extraction shooters can be punishing, especially when new players are placed against experienced squads. By offering a mode focused purely on fighting machines and collecting resources, the developers may give more players a reason to stay beyond the free trial.
The timing of the free weekend, major update, discount, and upcoming PvE test suggests that Embark Studios is working to bring more attention back to ARC Raiders. Like many online shooters, the game has faced challenges with player retention, but a large content drop and a lower entry price could help revive interest.
For anyone curious about ARC Raiders, this is a strong opportunity to try it. The free Steam weekend runs until October 12, while the 50% discount remains available until October 15. With Frozen Trail now live and a PvE-focused test coming soon, the extraction shooter is entering one of its most important weeks yet.
