Best Games Like Arc Raiders for Solo & Co-Op
If you’re looking for games like Arc Raiders—a cooperative extraction shooter with a strong sci-fi flavor—the top pick is Deep Rock Galactic. It nails the same blend of team-based PvE missions, procedural maps, and a friendly community, while working flawlessly for solo players with a fully featured solo mode. Its class-based teamwork and escalating difficulty mirror the tension of extraction without the PvP stress.
What to Look For
When you’re hunting for an Arc Raiders alternative, these are the criteria that actually matter:
- PvE vs. PvPvE: Arc Raiders is purely cooperative. If you want to avoid PvP entirely, stick to games with dedicated PvE modes or full co-op campaigns. If you’re open to PvPvE, you’ll have more options (like Hunt: Showdown).
- Solo Viability: Some co-op games are miserable alone. Look for games that either scale enemy counts, provide a companion AI, or have a separate solo mode with balanced difficulty.
- Extraction Mechanics: The core loop of “go in, grab loot, get out� is central to Arc Raiders. Games with similar risk/reward loops (loot loss, extraction points) will feel more familiar.
- Progression & Replayability: Does the game give you a reason to return? Look for weapon unlocks, character upgrades, or seasonal content that keeps the loop fresh.
- Team Size & Communication: Arc Raiders is designed for 3-player squads. If you play with a regular group, check the max party size. If you play with randoms, a good ping system is crucial.
- Sci-Fi Setting vs. Realism: Do you want robots and laser guns, or a more grounded military vibe? This affects tone more than gameplay, but it matters for immersion.
Deep Rock Galactic
Strengths: The best all-rounder for co-op and solo. Missions are procedurally generated cave systems with clear objectives (mine, defend, collect). Four distinct classes (Gunner, Engineer, Scout, Driller) make teamwork essential but each class is also self-sufficient. The solo mode gives you a robot companion (Bosco) that can revive you, mine, and fight—making solo play genuinely fun, not just a watered-down co-op.
Trade-offs: The tone is more lighthearted and dwarven than Arc Raiders’ sleek sci-fi. There’s no extraction risk—you don’t lose gear on death, so the tension is lower. The difficulty curve is steep at higher hazard levels.
Who it suits: Anyone who wants a polished, endlessly replayable co-op shooter with a strong solo option. It’s perfect for groups of 2-4 and has a great community.
Hunt: Showdown
Strengths: The closest to Arc Raiders in terms of extraction tension. You and a partner (or solo) enter a dark, monster-infested bayou to track a boss, kill it, and extract with its bounty. Other hunters are also after the same target, so it’s PvPvE. The risk/reward is real—you lose your hunter on death, but you keep your gear if you extract. The atmosphere is unmatched.
Trade-offs: It’s PvPvE, not pure co-op. If you’re strictly against PvP, skip this. The learning curve is brutal, and the game is slower and more methodical than Arc Raiders. Solo play is possible but brutally difficult (you’re at a disadvantage against duos/trios).
Who it suits: Players who love the extraction loop and don’t mind PvP. Best for duos who want a tense, high-stakes experience.
GTFO
Strengths: If you want the opposite of casual, GTFO is a hardcore co-op horror shooter for 4 players. You and your team navigate underground complexes, completing objectives while managing scarce resources and avoiding terrifying monsters. It emphasizes stealth, coordination, and communication. The difficulty is brutal but rewarding.
Trade-offs: No solo mode at all—you need a full squad of 4. It’s extremely punishing; expect to fail many times. The sci-fi setting is more industrial horror than Arc Raiders’ clean future.
Who it suits: Hardcore co-op players with a regular group who want a serious challenge and don’t mind failing often.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Strengths: A fast-paced, melee-and-gun co-op shooter in the Warhammer 40K universe. You and up to 3 others fight through hordes of enemies in a hive city. It has a strong class system (Ogryn, Veteran, Psyker, Zealot) and a satisfying progression loop. The combat is visceral and impactful. The game has a solid solo mode with AI teammates.
Trade-offs: The setting is grimdark, not sleek sci-fi. The mission structure is linear (no extraction), so the risk/reward is less about looting and more about survival. The AI teammates in solo are decent but not as good as Bosco in Deep Rock.
Who it suits: Players who want a more action-heavy co-op shooter with a strong melee component. Good for solo players who don’t mind AI companions.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Strengths: A third-person co-op shooter where you play as marines fighting xenomorphs. It’s directly inspired by the Alien franchise, so the sci-fi horror vibe is strong. The game has a 3-player co-op campaign with 5 distinct missions, and it features a class system (Gunner, Tech, Doc, etc.) that encourages teamwork. Solo play is supported with AI teammates that are surprisingly competent.
Trade-offs: The game’s content is more limited than others on this list—you’ll run out of missions after a few hours. The AI can be a bit too good, making solo play feel easy. The mechanics are simpler than Arc Raiders.
Who it suits: Fans of the Alien franchise who want a straightforward, cinematic co-op shooter. Good for solo players who want a short, polished experience.
Escape the Backrooms
Strengths: If you want the extraction tension without combat, this is a unique pick. It’s a co-op survival horror game based on the Backrooms creepypasta. You and up to 4 friends explore procedurally generated liminal spaces, solve puzzles, and avoid entities. The goal is to find exits and escape. It’s a great change of pace.
Trade-offs: No combat—it’s pure stealth and puzzle-solving. The game is still in early access, so content is limited. Solo play is possible but extremely scary and difficult.
Who it suits: Players who want a co-op horror experience that’s more about atmosphere than shooting. Best for groups of 2-4.
How to Choose
First, decide if you’re open to PvPvE. If you’re not, then Deep Rock Galactic or Darktide are your best bets. If you are, Hunt: Showdown offers the closest extraction loop.
Next, consider your group size. If you regularly have 4 players, GTFO or Darktide work well. If you’re a duo, Hunt or Deep Rock are ideal. If you’re solo, Deep Rock and Aliens: Fireteam Elite have the best solo support.
Budget is a factor: Deep Rock Galactic and Aliens: Fireteam Elite are often on sale for under $30. Hunt: Showdown is also frequently discounted. GTFO and Darktide are typically $40-$60. If you’re on a tight budget, wait for a sale on any of these.
Finally, think about the tone you want. If you want lighthearted fun, Deep Rock. If you want tense horror, GTFO or Escape the Backrooms. If you want action-heavy sci-fi, Darktide or Aliens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deep Rock Galactic good for solo players?
Yes, it’s one of the best. The Bosco drone revives you, mines, and fights, making solo play feel like a designed experience, not a fallback.
Does Hunt: Showdown have a PvE-only mode?
No, it’s PvPvE by design. You can play solo, but you’ll still face other hunters. There’s no pure PvE mode.
Can I play GTFO with two players?
Technically yes, but it’s designed for 4 players. The difficulty scales, but you’ll need to be very coordinated. It’s not recommended for beginners.
Which game has the most content?
Deep Rock Galactic has the most, with endless procedural missions and seasonal updates. Darktide also has a lot, but it’s more linear.
Are any of these games free-to-play?
No, all are paid. But they often go on sale for 50% off, so wishlist them.
Is there a game like Arc Raiders that’s pure PvE extraction?
Not exactly. Most extraction games are PvPvE. The closest to pure PvE is Deep Rock Galactic, but it doesn’t have the “extract or lose loot� mechanic. You keep everything on death.
Bottom Line
For most players, Deep Rock Galactic is the best choice. It offers the perfect balance of co-op and solo play, has a strong sci-fi aesthetic, and is endlessly replayable. If you’re okay with PvPvE, Hunt: Showdown is the closest in spirit to Arc Raiders’ extraction loop. If you have a dedicated squad and want a brutal challenge, GTFO is unmatched. Start with Deep Rock—it’s the safest bet for both solo and co-op players.
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