Embark Studios has launched the Frozen Trail update for ARC Raiders. This update introduces a new location called Pendola Pass and offers a free play window that lasts until October 12, according to GodisaGeek. Right now, the game boasts 72,153 concurrent players on Steam.
Frozen Trail comes nearly a year after the game’s launch on October 30, 2025. Forbes’ coverage of the patch notes highlights a new map, fresh weapons, and new enemies. Epic Games has also featured this update in its store highlights roundup.
The free play window is crucial for marketing. Priced at $19.99 on Steam, ARC Raiders can attract players who might have missed it at launch. Don’t wait too long, though—the trial ends on October 12.
Players will also find new content through quests. Game Rant has released a walkthrough for the “Someone Else’s Shoes” quest, which tasks players with locating an android in Research Lab 3 and reaching a control room in the western tunnels.
This update tests if Embark can maintain player interest a year later. The studio has solid numbers, with 254,048 Steam reviews and 81% positive feedback. However, the sentiment we track tells a different story, as we’ll explore next.
| Steam reviews | 81% positive |
| Total Steam reviews | 254,048 |
| Current players (Steam) | 72,153 |
| Steam price | $19.99 |
| Launch date | Oct. 30, 2025 |
Community Pulse
Despite the strong Steam score, the overall sentiment across 10 tracked signals leans negative. One Steam reviewer remarked that the game is “pretty overhyped, gets very repetitive and boring fast.” This feedback highlights the need for the new map, weapons, and enemies to address concerns about repetition.
What To Watch
- Player count after Oct. 12: Keep an eye on whether the number of concurrent players stays close to 72,000 once the free play window ends.
- Steam review trend: A surge of new reviews from trial players will reveal if the 81% positive rating remains intact.
- Follow-up patches: Changes to balance the new guns and enemies will indicate how quickly Embark reacts to player feedback.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
