Best Extraction Shooters Like Arc Raiders to Try

If you’re looking for games like Arc Raiders, the best extraction shooters to try next are Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown, and Marauders, with DMZ and The Cycle: Frontier serving as more accessible alternatives. These games share the core loop of entering a map, looting valuable items, and fighting to extract alive, but each puts its own spin on the formula. Below, we break down what makes each one worth your time, how they compare to Arc Raiders, and what to consider before diving in.

What Arc Raiders Is and Why It Matters

Arc Raiders is an upcoming free-to-play extraction shooter from Embark Studios, the team behind the movement shooter The Finals. It was originally announced as a cooperative PvE game, but in 2023 the studio pivoted to a PvPvE extraction format. In its current form, players drop into a map called Speranza, fight AI-controlled robots called ARC, and compete against other human squads for valuable loot. The game emphasizes vertical mobility, with grappling hooks and ziplines that let you traverse the environment quickly. While Arc Raiders has not yet set a release date as of early 2025, its blend of fast movement and extraction mechanics has drawn comparisons to games like Apex Legends meets Escape from Tarkov.

How Extraction Shooters Work

Extraction shooters are a subgenre of first-person shooters where the main goal is not just to survive, but to get out with your loot. A typical match follows this structure:

• You enter a map with a loadout of weapons, armor, and consumables.
• You explore the map to find loot, complete objectives, or eliminate AI enemies.
• You must reach an extraction point (often a specific location or a timed event) before the match ends.
• If you extract successfully, you keep everything you found. If you die, you lose the gear you brought in and anything you collected.

This risk-reward loop is what sets the genre apart from battle royales. In a battle royale, you lose nothing but a match; in an extraction shooter, you can lose hours of progress. That tension is the core appeal.

Top Extraction Shooters to Try Next

Here are the most notable extraction shooters currently available or in active development, ranked by how closely they resemble Arc Raiders’ style.

• Escape from Tarkov – The genre’s benchmark. It’s a hardcore, realistic military sim with deep weapon customization and a steep learning curve. You’ll spend as much time managing your stash as you do in raids. Best for players who want maximum realism and don’t mind punishing difficulty.
• Hunt: Showdown – A PvPvE shooter set in the 1890s Louisiana bayou. You hunt supernatural monsters, but other players are hunting you. It has a slower, more methodical pace and a unique setting. The gunplay is skill-based, and the sound design is excellent. It’s less about looting and more about the hunt itself.
• Marauders – A sci-fi extraction shooter set in an alternate 1990s where you pilot spaceships and board derelict vessels. It combines FPS combat with ship-to-ship battles. You can either fight on foot or in your ship, and you can even steal other players’ ships. It’s more accessible than Tarkov but still offers a solid risk-reward loop.
• Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 – DMZ – A free-to-play extraction mode within Warzone 2.0. It’s the most casual-friendly option, with a lower penalty for dying (you lose your insured weapon only if you die, but you can get it back after a cooldown). It’s a great entry point to learn the genre’s basics.
• The Cycle: Frontier – A free-to-play sci-fi extraction shooter that was shut down in 2023. While it’s no longer playable, it’s worth mentioning because it had a very similar feel to Arc Raiders: fast movement, colorful visuals, and PvPvE encounters. If you liked the idea of that game, you might want to look into its spiritual successors, like the upcoming Exoborne or Level Zero: Extraction.

How to Choose the Right Extraction Shooter for You

Not all extraction shooters are created equal. Here are the key factors to consider when picking your next game:

• Pace and Movement – Arc Raiders is known for its fast, vertical movement. If you want that, avoid Tarkov (which is slow and tactical) and look at DMZ or Marauders. If you prefer a slower, more methodical experience, Hunt: Showdown is a better fit.
• Difficulty and Punishment – Tarkov is notoriously brutal, with a steep learning curve and permanent loss of gear. DMZ is much more forgiving, with a cooldown system for insured weapons. Marauders sits in the middle. Consider how much time you’re willing to invest and how frustrated you get when you lose your best gear.
• Setting and Theme – Do you want a modern military setting (Tarkov), a supernatural Wild West (Hunt), a sci-fi space adventure (Marauders), or a near-future warzone (DMZ)? The setting affects the atmosphere and the types of weapons and enemies you’ll face.
• Solo vs. Squad Play – Some games are better for solo players. Hunt: Showdown has a solo mode, while Tarkov can be played solo but is much harder. DMZ and Marauders allow solo play but are designed for squads. If you don’t have friends to play with, look for games with matchmaking or solo-friendly mechanics.
• Ongoing Support – Check if the game is still receiving updates. Tarkov has been in beta for years but has a dedicated player base. Hunt: Showdown has regular events. Marauders is still in early access. A game that’s abandoned won’t be worth your time.

Common Mistakes New Players Make

When you start playing extraction shooters, you’ll likely make some classic errors. Here’s what to avoid:

• Overloading on loot – It’s tempting to grab every item you see, but every kilogram slows you down and makes you an easier target. Prioritize high-value items like rare weapons, electronics, or medical supplies.
• Rushing to extract – Some players head straight to the extraction point at the start of the match. This often leads to camping by other players. Instead, take your time, loot efficiently, and move to extraction when you have a good haul.
• Ignoring sound – In most extraction shooters, sound is everything. Running, reloading, and opening doors make noise that can give away your position. Learn to move quietly and listen for enemies.
• Not learning the map – Knowing the map’s layout, loot spawns, and extraction points is crucial. Spend time in offline mode or with a map open on a second monitor to learn the terrain.
• Bringing gear you can’t afford to lose – In the early game, use cheap loadouts. You’ll die a lot, and losing a $100,000 kit will set you back far more than a $10,000 one.

Comparing Arc Raiders to the Competition

Arc Raiders stands out because of its movement system. Unlike Tarkov or Hunt, which use grounded, tactical movement, Arc Raiders lets you grapple and zipline across the map. This makes fights more dynamic and vertical. In terms of difficulty, Arc Raiders seems to be aiming for a middle ground: not as punishing as Tarkov, but more tense than DMZ. The PvE element (fighting ARC robots) is also more pronounced than in other extraction shooters, which often focus on PvP. If you enjoy the cooperative PvE aspect, you might also like Deep Rock Galactic (not an extraction shooter, but a co-op shooter with similar team dynamics) or Hunt: Showdown, which has a strong PvE component in its monster hunts.

Costs and Platforms

Most extraction shooters are paid upfront, with optional microtransactions for cosmetics or convenience items. Escape from Tarkov costs around $45 for the standard edition, with higher tiers offering more stash space and starting gear. Hunt: Showdown is typically $40, but often goes on sale for $20 or less. Marauders is $25 in early access. DMZ is free to play, but you’ll need to own Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, which is also free. Arc Raiders is planned to be free-to-play, which is a major draw. As for platforms, Tarkov is PC-only, Hunt and Marauders are on PC and consoles (Hunt is on PlayStation and Xbox, Marauders is on Xbox and PC), and DMZ is on all platforms. Arc Raiders will likely be on PC and consoles, given Embark’s previous game, The Finals, is on all platforms.

Alternatives and Related Genres

If you’re new to extraction shooters and want to ease in, consider these related games:

• Battle Royales – Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone offer similar tension but without the permanent loss of gear. They’re a good way to practice aiming and map awareness.
• PvE Co-op Shooters – Games like Left 4 Dead 2, Deep Rock Galactic, or Payday 2 focus on fighting AI enemies with friends. They lack the PvP threat, but they can help you learn to cooperate and manage resources.
• Survival Games – Rust and DayZ have similar risk-reward mechanics (you lose everything on death) but are open-world and more sandbox-like. They’re even more punishing than Tarkov.
• Looter Shooters – Destiny 2 and The Division 2 have loot and gear progression, but they are PvE-focused and don’t have the extraction mechanic. They’re more casual and less stressful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arc Raiders free to play? Yes, Arc Raiders is planned to be free-to-play, but it hasn’t been released yet. The exact monetization model (such as battle passes or cosmetics) hasn’t been fully detailed.

What is the best extraction shooter for beginners? Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0’s DMZ mode is the most beginner-friendly because it’s free, has matchmaking, and the penalty for dying is relatively low. Marauders is also a good entry point due to its simpler mechanics and smaller maps.

Can you play extraction shooters solo? Yes, but it’s harder. Hunt: Showdown has a solo mode, and DMZ allows solo play, but you’ll be at a disadvantage against squads. Tarkov is playable solo but requires a lot of map knowledge and skill. Marauders has a solo mode as well.

Do you lose your gear in extraction shooters? Yes, that’s the core mechanic. If you die, you lose the gear you brought in and anything you looted. Some games have insurance systems (like Tarkov) where you can get gear back if no one else picks it up.

Will Arc Raiders be on consoles? Embark Studios hasn’t officially confirmed platforms, but given that The Finals is on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, it’s likely Arc Raiders will be on those platforms as well.

What is the most popular extraction shooter right now? Escape from Tarkov remains the most popular, with a huge player base and a strong esports scene. Hunt: Showdown also has a dedicated following. DMZ is popular due to its accessibility, but it’s a mode within a larger game.

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