ARC Raiders vs WARDOGS
Both extraction shooters sink or swim on anti-cheat, but only one gives you 16 recent patches and a 47-hour PvE route to test it.
Updated 12d ago
ARC Raiders' accessible extraction loop is worth it now, but cheaters and content droughts mean wait until the anti-cheat is fixed.
Skip until the anti-cheat lands — WARDOGS' whole risk/reward economy dies the second a Galil camper in a helicopter erases your run.
By the numbers
Prices checked Oct 6; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Oct 6.
| Measure | ARC Raiders | WARDOGS |
|---|---|---|
| Value ARC Raiders wins on value | ||
| Price now | $19.99 −50% · Steam | $33.95 −15% · AllYouPlay |
| All-time low | $19.99 | $32.70 |
| Cost / hour | $0.43/hr $19.99 · 47 h main story | — |
| Off its low | At its low low was Oct 2026 | +4% low was Sep 2026 |
| Main story | 47 h | — |
| Health Too close to call | ||
| Steam reviews | 82% 421k reviews | 74% 108k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 63% 4k votes · vs 82% lifetime · souring | 72% 96k votes · vs 74% lifetime |
| Peak players | 39,900 Sep 2026 · ↓ 3% MoM | — Not yet charted |
| All-time peak | 465,097 Jan 2026 · now at 9% | — |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 2 days ago | 9 days ago |
| Patch cadence | 15+ in last 90 days, at minimum | 6+ in last 90 days, at minimum |
| Steam Deck | Platinum | Bronze |
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
ARC Raiders
Atmosphere and audio are the anchors for long-haul fans — the abandoned world and machine hums keep 1000-hour players hooked.
Cheaters and exploiters are the dominating frustration, with veterans abandoning balanced/PvP lobbies and begging for real anti-cheat.
from our August 2026 verdict
WARDOGS
The loadout-and-payout loop is the hook 100-hour fans keep citing — run supplies, drive the taxi, or skip the trigger entirely and still profit.
Cheaters with heli-mounted rifles are the wall long-time players keep hitting, with one 73-hour review calling them the game's whole undoing.
from our September 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick ARC Raiders if
- You want co-op PvE defense instead of full-loot PvP pressure
- You value audio design and worldbuilding over pure gunfight skill
- You can tolerate occasional cheaters if patches keep coming
Pick WARDOGS if
- You miss PlanetSide 2's three-way fights and want them back
- Playing medic, taxi, or supply runner sounds like a real job
- You don't want gunplay to be the primary skill test
Bottom line
Pick ARC Raiders if you want a 47-hour co-op extraction route with frequent anti-cheat patches; pick WARDOGS only if you accept its 3-patch cadence and can live with helicopter campers deciding your run.