ARC Raiders came out swinging last year and staked its claim as one of gaming's new must-play titles. Developer Embark Studios showed how much potential ARC Raiders has in the coming years with its exciting world and more accessible take on the genre of extraction shooter. However, there is one major problem that has plagued the game: grieving. 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 and 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. But like ARC Raidersits popularity continues to increase, as does its potential to attract players looking to disrupt other players' progress.
Grief is not the only obstacle ARC Raiders have to deal with either. Cheaters also cause a serious problem. ARC Raiders cheaters have taken advantage of the game to gain unfair advantages in matches, but Embark Studios has finally started banning guilty players. Between cheaters and mourners, some players may be willing to take a little break until the issue is addressed more. That leaves the question of which game can replace ARC Raidershowever. 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 an Early Access game on Steam that could be a solid replacement while the worse problem continues: The eternal winter.
The Forever Winter takes ARC Raiders Machine Apocalypse Concept and turns it into an even darker nightmare
IN ARC Raidersthe world has succumbed to powerful AI robots called ARCs, and The eternal winter is quite similar. The main difference is that The eternal winters world is downright bleak in comparison. ARC Raiders balances its post-apocalyptic setting with its colorful retro-futuristic aesthetic, but The eternal winter takes a much darker approach. At first glance, The eternal winter 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 is driving humanity further into chaos and ruin. ARC Raiders' cheats and griefing issues have made it difficult for some to fully enjoy the post-apocalyptic world that Embark Studios has built. The eternal winter maybe not as bright and colorful, but it's just as compelling.
Players take on the role of a survivor who doesn't care about factions, just survival
The main rule i The eternal winter is to survive by any means necessary. Whether it's stealth or weapons, fighting to see another day is key. From looting dead bodies to taking down advanced machines, The eternal winter has many ways to remind players that the apocalypse is an unrelenting daily struggle. It's hard to find extraction shooters that ARC Raiders. The eternal winter definitely has its own distinct feel and gameplay, but its subject matter and emphasis on unforgiving survival is what will hit home the most for ARC Raiders fans.
The Forever Winter offers six survivors to choose from
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Old man
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Scav Girl
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Mask Man
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Shaman
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Gunhead
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Bag Man
Like ARC Raiders, The Forever Winter features unpredictable enemy encounters
It is important to remember that The eternal winter is still in early access, so its in-game AI isn't as fine-tuned as ARC Raiders' yet. Despite the hiccups you may encounter during a playthrough, the unpredictability of the battlefield can be really exciting and downright sweat-inducing. The eternal winters 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.
Every enemy encounter can mean death, and they are all terrifying. From powerful human-machine hybrids to giant AI humanoids that look like they were pulled straight out of something Attack on Titan, The eternal winter has an edge of horror about it. This might not be for everyone, but it works incredibly well in the hopeless world that developer Fun Dog Studios has brought to life. ARC Raiders enemies are intelligent and difficult to take down, and The eternal winter can honestly be just as punishing. ARC Raiders balances its challenge level so well that it's hard to replicate. The eternal winter brings its own unique set of challenges to the table which ARC Raiders fans can relate to.
AI giants and human-machine hybrids are not the only threat
- Europe — A superpower consisting of Western and Central Europe and most of America
- Eurasia — A superpower consisting 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 eternal winter. There is also Euruska, which is aligned with Eurasia. Instead of traditional military power, however, Euruska is more fixated on biotechnology. The hybrids and automatons are the main enemies to avoid, but getting in the way of the forces of Europe and Eurasia 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.
While the warring factions may ignore you at first, the more disruptive you become to their goals, the more they will try to remove you from the equation.
The Forever Winter is a unique and brutal world worth trying to survive
It may not be as polished as ARC Raiders yet, but that's nothing new for early asset titles. Even though it's not quite finished, it's still impressive that it's a work in progress. The popularity of ARC Raiders cannot be underestimated. The extraction shooter is only a few months old, but there is already interest ARC Raiders film and television adaptations. As good as the game is, it has become frustrating for some players. It is there games that The eternal winter come in handy.
ARC Raiders'problems with mourners and cheaters will hopefully improve over time. This isn't a dealbreaker for all players, of course. But it has driven others crazy. So in the meantime, The eternal winters unforgiving and dark world could be the perfect game to shake things up and show players a unique take on the extraction shooter genre.
- Released
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30 October 2025
- ESRB
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Teen/violence, blood
