Arc Raiders Recaptures the Classic PUBG Magic: An Unbeatable Compliment

Sure thing — let’s take a ride down memory lane, a bit jumbled and all over the place, much like life itself.

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So, there I was, knee-deep in those wild early days of PUBG. Those memories? Crystal clear, like that time I accidentally walked off the edge of a cliff. Who does that? Anyway, my video folder’s still bursting with these wild, pulse-quickening moments from those early access days. Not claiming Arc Raiders is the next PUBG — but, man, it dishes out some of those same vibes.

Now, there was this preview event — a three-day whirlwind with Arc Raiders. Same build you’ll probably dive into starting April 30. Embark, the devs, did this smart thing by spreading out the game tests. Each time they roll it back out, it’s like unwrapping a slightly different present. You ever notice that?

I admit, it was my first crack at playing, though, truth be told, I’d been casually creeping on its progress. Despite me harping about PUBG comparisons, Arc is its own beast — an extraction shooter, not battle royale. Big difference? You die, say bye-bye to your stuff. But hey, familiar territory if you’ve dabbled in these waters before. Still, there’s a bunch about it worth banging on about.

Like, your character — lose everything you own when you croak, but snag some sweet XP if you poke around enough. That XP? Sticks with you and can be used for kickass upgrades — think quieter drawer rummaging or actions that won’t gas you out. Again, rabbit trail here, but my full spiel on this is in my Tech Test 2 preview.

I mean, why was PUBG such a thrill ride? It’s gotta be about scarcity, right? Less gear equals more thrill when you do find something. There’s nothing like landing with just a machete, while the guy next to you boasts a shotgun. Outsmarting them is the addictive high every survival junkie chases.

Investigating where players hide — that’s tension right there. Curious folks get exposed. High ground advantage? Only if you’ve got gear to capitalize on it. It’s this scarcity tango that creates the dance of decisions. Locking yourself in a bathroom can seem like a safe bet sometimes, but tension thrives in these scarcity-driven choices.

Now, in Arc Raiders, bathroom hiding? Not so much. But explore a bit, that uneasy vibe might just become your trusty sidekick. Here’s an odd one: rarely find weapon sights, but gotta engage from distances begging for scopes. Feel like taking the bait? Best rely on sharp senses.

This isn’t Apex Legends territory — no fancy acrobatics to dazzle your way out of a jam. Here, it’s about strategy, a pinch of planning, and skill. Tools are there for those willing to grab ’em.

For my old PUBG mates who never found that same spark? This could be the one. Open test, even for consoles. No excuse not to check it out if any of this jibber-jabber sounds like your cup of tea.