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Choose ARC Raiders if you want to scavenge, take risks, and try to extract with loot you can use or sell. Choose THE FINALS if you want free-to-play arena matches built around team fights and destructible environments. They share a developer, but they are different kinds of shooters: ARC Raiders is an extraction adventure; THE FINALS is an arena shooter, not an extraction shooter.
How the two games play
ARC Raiders: scavenge and make it out
ARC Raiders sends players to the surface of a future Earth to scavenge while facing mechanized ARC enemies and other Raiders. The objective is not simply to win a fight: you want to extract with valuable loot. Back in Speranza, the underground neighborhood, you can complete quests, sell loot to traders, or use it to craft gear and upgrades. That loop makes each trip a balance between finding more and surviving long enough to bring it home. Embark Studios describes the game as blending extraction-shooter tension with atmospheric adventure settings. PlayStation lists solo play or groups of two or three.
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THE FINALS: fight over arena objectives
THE FINALS is a free-to-play, fast-paced first-person arena shooter staged as a combat game show. Teams compete in destructible arenas, and changing the environment is part of the action. Its focus is immediate team combat and adapting to a shifting arena, rather than gathering loot for an extraction. Steam lists online PvP, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer.
Which one fits your preferred kind of session?
Choose ARC Raiders if you want risk and progression between runs
- You enjoy exploring and scavenging while weighing whether to push farther or leave with what you have.
- You want successful runs to feed into quests, trading, crafting, and gear upgrades.
- You like the possibility of threats from both machines and other players.
- You sometimes play solo or can assemble a group of two or three; solo play does not remove the possibility of encountering other Raiders.
Choose THE FINALS if you want direct arena competition
- You prefer team fights and objectives over carrying loot out of a dangerous run.
- You want destructible environments to shape how matches unfold.
- You want a free-to-play game to try without first buying the game. Optional in-game items or editions are not necessarily free.
- You want to jump into arena matches rather than commit to an extraction run.
Try both if you are undecided
THE FINALS is listed as free-to-play on Steam. ARC Raiders is available on PC and consoles, but check the current listing for your platform and region for price and edition details. The games’ different core loops make trying each a more useful test of fit than treating one as a direct substitute for the other.
#1 Best Overall
![ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I3Aj2PM0L._SL160_.jpg)
- ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
- Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.
Side-by-side differences
| What you are comparing | ARC Raiders | THE FINALS |
|---|---|---|
| Core loop | Scavenge, face machine and player threats, extract, then use or sell loot. | Compete in team-based arena matches with destructible environments. |
| Where the tension comes from | Surviving long enough to leave with resources. | Winning fights and adapting as the arena changes. |
| Progression described by the listings | Quests, traders, crafting, and gear upgrades. | Contestants, teams, arenas, and competition. |
| Cost information | Available on PC and consoles; check the current regional platform listing for price. | Listed as free-to-play on Steam. |
| Social play | Official site describes cross-platform social play on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC; PlayStation lists solo or groups of two or three. | Steam lists online PvP, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer. |
Release dates and current context
ARC Raiders launched globally on October 30, 2025, on PC and consoles, according to Nexon’s release announcement. THE FINALS released on December 7, 2023, according to its Steam listing.
As of October 11, 2026, the official ARC Raiders site listed the Frozen Trail update as live from October 8 and a free-play window running October 8–12, 2026. That event window has ended; it should not be treated as current availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this comparison does—and does not—tell you
The recommendation here is based on each game’s described structure and modes. It is not a verdict on gunplay quality, balance, matchmaking, performance, or community health. Those qualities are not established by the game descriptions and listings cited here, and can also change with updates.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
- Durable Premium Vinyl: Made from thick, high-grade vinyl for long-lasting use on cars, laptops, skateboards, walls, and flasks.
- UV & Weather Resistant: Fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant—perfect for indoor and outdoor applications.
- Easy Application & Removal: Applies smoothly without bubbles and removes cleanly with no sticky residue left behind.
- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
Rank #4
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
