Yes—ARC Raiders lets you head Topside alone, but solo does not mean single-player: the game is online-only, and standard matchmaking still exposes you to hostile Raiders as well as ARC machines. Its appeal for solo-minded players is the freedom to explore, scavenge, choose how much risk to take, and extract without making every run depend on winning a fight. That makes it potentially welcoming, not safe or easy.
Can you play ARC Raiders solo?
Yes. PlayStation’s official FAQ says ARC Raiders is an online, multiplayer-only game that can be played as one Raider going Topside or in teams of two or three. Steam likewise describes solo play and parties of up to three. “Solo” means entering a multiplayer game without a squad; it does not mean an offline campaign or a guaranteed solo-only lobby.
The game is listed for Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and GeForce NOW. Embark describes cross-platform social play across PlayStation, Xbox and PC. PlayStation states that the game is not available for PS4. Embark’s official site and the PlayStation game page provide the current platform and game details.
Why might it suit a player who usually queues alone?
ARC Raiders gives a run more purpose than simply looking for a gunfight. You can explore the surface, scavenge valuable items, then return to Speranza, your underground home, to sell loot or use it for crafting gear and upgrades. The official descriptions also emphasize changing conditions, varied machine threats, skill paths and room to shape a Raider’s playstyle.
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- 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.
That flexibility can work well for someone who enjoys setting their own pace: gather what you need, avoid a dangerous encounter, or decide that the haul is worth trying to extract. The game’s setting and scavenging loop can make a run worthwhile even when combat is not the goal. These are reasons solo play may feel approachable; official descriptions do not establish that solo raids are easy, forgiving or reliably friendly.
What can still go wrong in a solo raid?
Standard matchmaking is PvPvE: ARC machines and other players can both threaten a run. PlayStation’s description says solo players and squads compete to scavenge and extract. Embark’s official site also presents the tension of an extraction shooter, where Raiders may prey on one another. The cited official materials do not confirm an aggression-based matchmaking guarantee for solo players, so do not assume the game will place you only with other solos.
Sound is part of that risk. PlayStation warns that the noise of battle carries and other Raiders may be listening. A headset is optional, not a requirement, but being able to hear the game may help you stay aware of activity nearby; it cannot guarantee that you will detect another player or survive an encounter.
Standard PvPvE versus the scheduled PvE test
As of October 7, 2026, Embark had announced a limited PvE matchmaking-toggle test for October 13–20, 2026. It was scheduled for the following week, not yet live. The announced test is a temporary alternative, not evidence of a permanent PvE mode.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match| What to expect | Standard PvPvE | Scheduled PvE test |
|---|---|---|
| Player threat | Other Raiders can contest loot and extraction, alongside ARC machines. | Player-to-player damage is disabled; the focus is cooperation against ARC. |
| Party sizes | Solo, duo or trio parties. | Solos, duos and trios are pooled together in PvE sessions. |
| Risk and rewards | The standard extraction-shooter risk and reward structure. | Embark says overall loot value is reduced in exchange for relative safety. |
| Availability | The core matchmaking experience. | Announced for October 13–20, 2026; Embark says the toggle will be removed afterward and matchmaking will return to normal. |
Embark also said the test would exclude Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate, and that PvPvE matchmaking rating would not be affected by PvE sessions. Its announcement does not establish whether a permanent PvE option will follow. See Embark’s PvE toggle announcement of September 24, 2026 for the test’s terms.
What Embark’s player figures do—and don’t—tell you
In the same September 24, 2026 announcement, Embark reported a player-style split of 37% friendly co-op players, 27% mixed players and 34% pure PvP players; it also said 51% of the surveyed playerbase expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. Embark further reported that more than 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters. The cited announcement passage does not state the survey sample size or methodology. These developer-reported figures suggest interest in cooperative or lower-hostility play, but they cannot predict whether another Raider will be friendly in your next match.
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- 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
Who should try it solo?
- Likely a good fit: you enjoy exploring, looting, crafting and deciding for yourself when to leave, even if other players can disrupt the plan.
- Go in with realistic expectations: you want to play alone but are willing to accept the danger and uncertainty of an online PvPvE extraction game.
- May not be the right fit: you want an offline story campaign, a guaranteed peaceful lobby, or a solo experience in which other players cannot threaten your loot.
For solo-minded players, ARC Raiders is friendly in the sense that it supports going out alone and offers more to do than chase PvP. The standard game still asks you to accept multiplayer danger; the announced October test was the time-limited, lower-hostility alternative.
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