Does Arc Raiders need PvE only mode?

Arc Raiders is the new PvPvE extraction adventure shooter from Embark Studios. In the game, players must fight not only one another but also the powerful ARC machines that roam a post-apocalyptic, dystopian Earth. These ARC enemies are one major element that makes the game unique and challenging. A Snitch or a Hornet is always on the players' minds when venturing outside, hoping to avoid one as much as possible.

This begs the question: What if ARC machines were the only enemy in Arc Raiders? This article will attempt to answer the question by weighing the possible pros and cons.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions only

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Should Arc Raiders have a PvE-only mode?

Fighting a Bastion (Image via Embark Studios)

The short answer is: Yes, Arc Raiders should have a PvE-only game mode. This is because the ARC enemies are a very big part of everyone's day-to-day gameplay. They are found in nearly every building you can enter, and there are even quests surrounding these machines.

Learning how to destroy every type of ARC enemy becomes very crucial in the game, and the terror of their presence is more evident than that of other players. This PvPvE model provides players with two layers of unique and daunting challenges as they attempt to scour the Topside for resources.

The cons of a PvE-only game mode are not many. First and foremost, the lack of other human beings in the game robs it of the natural appeal it was actually designed for. A server with only Arc machines may provide players with a more campaign-like setting, while a game with other players feels more like Multiplayer, which it is.

The challenging layer of squad ambushes or players hiding in certain areas is also removed with a PvE game mode. This makes quests a bit easier and sharpens the focus on ARC. That being said, there's nothing inherently wrong with a game mode with just the game's AI against you.

Embark Studios has managed to create one of the most intuitive and immersive AI enemies in extraction shooter history. ARC drones begin losing balance once shot in the rotors, as if driven by the physics of real life, and the machines move with a weight of their own. This game mode would not be a popular choice if the AI were lackluster, which, in the case of Arc Raiders, it is not.

A PvE-only game mode would benefit those who do not care for human interactions in-game and do not crave the challenge of outdoing other squads. Arc Raiders is immensely immersive, with beautiful maps such as The Blue Gate and terrifying opponents like the Bastion or the Queen. There is absolutely no shortage of a competitive environment, even if the only enemies are ARC machines.

So, in conclusion, if such a game mode can exist within the game as an option for certain players, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a PvE-only game mode. In fact, it might even become very popular among the fans.