ARC Raiders came out swinging last year, staking its claim as one of gaming’s new must-play titles. Developer Embark Studios demonstrated just how much potential ARC Raiders has in the years to come with its intriguing world and more approachable take on the extraction shooter genre. There’s one big issue that’s been plaguing the game, though: griefers. This is a common occurrence in online multiplayer games, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating. When ARC Raiders first launched in October 2025, it quickly built a reputation for having a respectable and positive player-base that mostly tried to stay away from PvP. That community is still very much present in the game. However, as ARC Raiders’ popularity continues to rise, so too does its potential for attracting players who want to disrupt other players’ progress.
Griefers aren’t the only hurdle ARC Raiders has to deal with, either. Cheaters are also causing a serious problem. ARC Raiders cheaters have been exploiting the game to gain unfair advantages in matches, but Embark Studios has finally started to ban guilty players. Between the cheaters and griefers, some players may be ready to take a small break until the issue is dealt with more. That leaves the question of what game could replace ARC Raiders, though. It’s a game that has managed to stand on its own with a unique identity, and that’s no easy feat. There may be one early access game on Steam that could be a solid replacement while the griefer issue continues, though: The Forever Winter.
The Forever Winter Takes ARC Raiders’ Machine Apocalypse Concept and Turns it Into an Even Darker Nightmare
In ARC Raiders, the world has succumbed to powerful AI robots called ARCs, and The Forever Winter is quite similar. The main difference is that The Forever Winter’s world is downright bleak in comparison. ARC Raiders balances its post-apocalyptic setting with its colorful retro-futuristic aesthetic, but The Forever Winter takes a much darker approach. At first glance, The Forever Winter is reminiscent of the oppressive energy seen in Gears of War and Cronos: The New Dawn. In this game, civilization has collapsed under the power of giant AI machines and the ongoing war between powerful factions drives humanity even further into chaos and ruin. ARC Raiders’ cheating and griefing problem has made it hard for some to fully enjoy the post-apocalyptic world that Embark Studios has built. The Forever Winter may not be as bright and colorful, but it’s just as compelling.
Image via Fun Dog Studios
Players Take on the Role of a Survivor Who Doesn’t Care About Factions, Only Survival
The main rule in The Forever Winter is to survive by any means necessary. Whether it’s stealth or guns, fighting to see another day is the key. From looting dead bodies to taking down advanced machines, The Forever Winter has plenty of ways to remind players that the apocalypse is an unrelenting daily battle. It’s hard to find extraction shooters like ARC Raiders. The Forever Winter definitely has its own distinct feel and gameplay, but its subject matter and emphasis on unforgiving survival are what will hit home the most for ARC Raiders fans.
The Forever Winter Offers Six Survivors to Choose From
Old Man
Scav Girl
Mask Man
Shaman
Gunhead
Bag Man
Like ARC Raiders, The Forever Winter Boasts Unpredictable Enemy Encounters
It’s important to remember that The Forever Winter is still in early access, so its in-game AI isn’t as fine-tuned as ARC Raiders’ yet. Despite the hiccups one might encounter during a playthrough, the unpredictability of the battlefield can be really exciting and downright sweat-inducing. The Forever Winter’s gameplay still has room for improvement, but it’s still surprisingly satisfying and strong for an early access game that has to balance such complex mechanics.
Each enemy encounter could mean death, and they’re all terrifying. From powerful human-machine hybrids to giant AI humanoids that look like something pulled straight out of Attack on Titan, The Forever Winter has an edge of horror to it. This might not be for everyone, but it works incredibly well within the hopeless world that developer Fun Dog Studios has brought to life. ARC Raiders enemies are intelligent and difficult to take down, and The Forever Winter can honestly be just as punishing. ARC Raiders balances its challenge level so well that it’s hard to replicate. The Forever Winter brings its own unique set of challenges to the table that ARC Raiders fans may resonate with.
AI Giants and Human-Machine Hybrids Aren’t the Only Threat
Europa — A superpower comprised of Western and Central Europe and most of the Americas
Eurasia — A superpower made up of the entire continent of Asia
The two warring factions in the game are also at the center of the world’s conflict in The Forever Winter. There is also Euruska, which is aligned with Eurasia. Instead of traditional military might, Euruska is more fixated on bioengineering, though. The hybrids and automatons are the main enemies to avoid, but getting in the way of Europa and Eurasia’s forces can be just as dangerous. This adds an extra threat without including PvP, which is good news for those who want a PvE-only mode in ARC Raiders.
Image via Fun Dog Studios
While the warring factions may ignore you at first, the more disruptive you become to their goals, the more they’ll seek to remove you from the equation.
The Forever Winter is a Unique and Brutal World Worth Trying to Survive
It may not be as well-polished as ARC Raiders yet, but that’s nothing new for early access titles. Despite not being fully finished, it’s still impressive for it to be a work in progress. The popularity of ARC Raiders can’t be understated. The extraction shooter is only a few months old, but there is already interest in ARC Raiders film and TV adaptations. As great as the game is, though, it has grown frustrating for some players. That’s where games like The Forever Winter come in handy.
ARC Raiders’ issues with griefers and cheaters will hopefully improve over time. This isn’t a dealbreaker for every player, of course. It’s driven others mad, though. So, in the meantime, The Forever Winter’s unforgiving and dark world could be the perfect game to shake things up and show players a standout take on the extraction shooter genre.
Released
October 30, 2025
ESRB
Teen / Violence, Blood
