ARC Raiders is making waves with its 2.0 update. GAMINGbible reports that players are calling it the ‘best video game update ever,’ highlighting a Spider-Man-style grapple among the new features. Currently, the game has 103,009 players on Steam, about five months after Embark Studios launched it on October 30, 2025.
While the praise is strong, there’s a catch. We’ve confirmed the overall excitement but don’t have a detailed patch breakdown. For now, the grapple is the only feature we can confidently link to this update.
Interest was already on the rise. Games.gg noted that the Frozen Trail update led to a seven-month high in Steam concurrent players. Our records show that Frozen Trail introduced the Pendola Pass map and a free-play window that lasted until October 12. It’s unclear how Frozen Trail connects to the 2.0 update, so treat them as separate updates until Embark provides more clarity.
The game’s structure is changing too. GamingBolt reports that an ARC Raiders producer mentioned it’s ‘very possible’ that PvE and PvEvP could split into their own modes. While this isn’t a confirmed plan, it indicates Embark is considering how to meet the needs of two distinct player bases.
At $19.99 on Steam, the game boasts an 81% positive rating from 254,953 reviews. Metacritic doesn’t have a score for it yet.
| Current Steam players | 103,009 |
| Steam user rating | 81% positive |
| Steam reviews | 254,953 |
| Price on Steam | $19.99 |
| Release date | Oct. 30, 2025 |
Community Pulse
Not everyone is thrilled. Our sentiment analysis of 10 reviews shows a mostly negative trend, with the same complaint appearing multiple times. One reviewer expressed frustration about enemies spawning unexpectedly in PvE lobbies, calling the game ‘literally unplayable with new horde spawn of elite mobs on top of you.’ While one review doesn’t define a trend, it highlights AI spawn issues as a potential point of frustration alongside the new content.
What To Watch
- Patch notes and balance fixes: How Embark addresses complaints about elite mob spawns in PvE will reveal whether the 2.0 praise is justified.
- PvE and PvEvP separation: Any official announcement regarding splitting the modes could impact matchmaking and progression.
- Player retention: Keep an eye on whether concurrent player counts stay above 100,000 once the update hype subsides, and whether the 81% Steam rating changes.
Alex Mercer
Alex Mercer is the Gaming News Editor at Explosion.com with over 8 years of experience covering the gaming industry. He previously wrote for several gaming publications and has attended E3, Gamescom, and The Game Awards as press. Alex specializes in breaking news coverage, studio analysis, and tracking industry trends. When not writing, he's grinding ranked matches in Valorant or exploring the latest RPG releases.
