Image: Embark Studios

PvE vs PvP in Arc Raiders has been an ongoing argument for as long as the game has been out, with the game originally being PvE in early concepts but eventually moving to PvPvE at full release.

Each side has a strong argument for why PvE should or shouldn't be added, but Embark has finally caved and added a limited-time trial PvE mode, letting the community test it and decide whether it should stay. I've played it, and I have a lot to say.

The PvE toggle is a setting you can turn on when selecting a map; it is available on any normal raid but unusable under certain conditions, such as at night. This, I believe, is a great idea, as it still preserves the reward for players who want to take on more challenging modes while also giving people who perhaps want to take the game a little slower a chance to have a fun time too.

Going into the PvE mode, I was initially very sceptical and have been very much against this type of mode in the past, as I believe it takes away from the overall Arc Raiders experience, but I also went in with a relatively open mind, and after playing a few games, I have some pretty good pros, but also a wide array of cons.

Let's start with the pros: this mode is great for casual players, no doubt. It provides an amazing way to get to grips with the basics of Arc Raiders without the inherent stress of having other players lurking around every corner. This makes for a much more relaxed experience, and I can imagine big Arc like the matriarch and the queen are a lot more enjoyable to fight if you want the most cooperation possible, as in this mode, fighting Arc and looting is practically all you can do, meaning it demands cooperation.

Another benefit is that it lets you complete particularly pesky quests that are otherwise very annoying. Overall, lowering loot value is also a positive, as it balances PvE and PvPvE modes, letting both coexist and keep their respective bonuses.

Now, moving on to the cons: I found the PvE mode to be incredibly boring, not in gameplay or Arc engagements, but in atmosphere and feel. PvE strips away what makes Arc Raiders feel unique, trivialises the core loop, and adds little of value, in my opinion. The excitement of not knowing who is around each corner is gone, and the atmosphere of tension feels absent, since the threat of real people is no longer a factor that previously crafted a tense but enjoyable vibe.

While it is true that it makes things easier, it also makes them less enjoyable for me, as it seems to have lost what Arc Raiders' main mode did so well: the balance between Arc and human threats. This balance is something that I think made Arc Raiders so good in the first place: the uncertainty, the mystery, the question of "is this person going to betray me, or should I betray them?" This tonal shift was what I noticed the most, as it really does change the game.

Despite my personal grievances with this mode, I think it could work well if it is implemented properly going forward. I think if PvE is a mode that is present but not the focus, it can most definitely thrive and will be a great addition to the game, but I do also believe that PvPvE should still be at the forefront of Arc Raiders, being the main mode while PvE exists as a limited taste.