Dariusz took a look at the new update of ARC Raiders and got so engrossed in the search for little ships that he entirely forgot to look out for the actual star of the update.
On April 28, the big “Riven Tides” update arrived in ARC Raiders, which brought a new map, two new items, and a new, powerful ARC into the game. Additionally, another expedition started as well as 2 new projects for which you need to collect model ships and set up birdcages.
I checked out the new content shortly after its release to give you an impression of the update. However, I somewhat veered off my path and had way too much fun with a rather mundane task.
ARC Raiders gives, but ARC Raiders also takes
The most important innovation of the update is of course the new map “Riven Tides”, where the Raiders head to the shore of the Rust Belt. Naturally, I started my first rounds of the update on the new map.
My first impression was a sobering “It’s okay”. The map looks quite pretty but doesn’t reinvent the wheel of ARC Raiders maps, and the loot was rather modest. However, I then found the legendary metal detector that came into the game with the update, allowing us to fish worthless junk breathtaking treasures from the sand at the beach.
“Okay, let’s test this thing out a bit,” I thought, dragging the detector across the beach …
…. And shortly thereafter, not only loot was hanging on the hook, but also Dariusz …
Well, what can I say? I had surprisingly much fun searching for loot with the metal detector. Already in my second round, I walked back and forth on the beach for nearly 15 minutes straight, pulling stuff out of the sand. Sometimes I found a suitcase filled with junk, sometimes a tick-ARC, and something unknown that exploded in my hands before I could even see what it was.
However, some of the suitcases also contain the ship models needed for the new project that you can additionally sell as valuable items. I particularly focused on those, and in no time I had collected a variety of different models. I even managed to claim a golden ship named “Leviathan’s Crown” as my own.
I was happy.
With my pockets full, I walked to the nearest Raider hatch to safely bring my little ships back to the home port “Speranza”. However, I had to walk along the beach one more time, as I had an itch in my fingers. Then greed overtook me. Although I was fully loaded, I picked up the metal detector again. “One last time,” I told myself.
And unfortunately, I was right.
I noticed two flying ARCs heading towards me and ready to attack, but I wanted my treasure and kept going. I thought I would make it in time, but I was mistaken.
As I pulled the suitcase out of the sand, a firefly attacked and grilled me before the animation was over. My greedy body burned in the flames of the attacker. I fought back, but had already taken too much damage, and the firefly didn’t let go of me.
In a panic, I tried to roll myself and my little ships to safety, but I was standing right on the beach. The next cover was meters away. The flames were tearing at my health, and I went down. Desperately I called for help, but no Raider answered, and so I succumbed to my injuries.
ARC Raiders took my little ship away through the flames of the firefly and broke my heart.
A mundane feature becomes a highlight
Apologies for the dramatic narration, I got carried away. What I want to say is: The metal detector and searching for model ships/valuable items surprisingly makes me a lot of fun. It’s not the classic shooter gameplay one expects, but it’s a funny addition.
It feels a bit like a collectible card game – only that the bully on the playground steals my rarest cards when I mess up. It also had a meditative quality. In the distance, I heard other Raiders battling a larger ARC – sounding like a Bastion – but I noticed nothing of it. I was calmly collecting my little ships.
I actually wanted to present you with my impression of the real stars of the update: the new ARC “Turbine” and the items “Crash Mat” and “Powered Descender”. However, I was so busy searching for my little ships that I forgot to keep an eye out for them.
But to be honest: I can imagine spending the next 100 hours in ARC Raiders strolling along the beach and collecting loot. I don’t know if the Turbine offers me the same great appeal.
If you want to know in detail what the “Riven Tides” update had in store besides the new map, ship models, and metal detectors, you can read the German patch notes on MeinMMO. ARC Raiders: Patch Notes for Riven Tides – What changes with Update 1.26.00
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