A new map, “Pendora Pass”—covered in snow and ice—is coming to *ARC Raiders*, the PvPvE extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios.
The Game*Spark editorial team participated in a preview event for the upcoming “Frozen Path” update and got a glimpse of this new battlefield, set against the backdrop of a frozen mountain plateau and a derelict rail yard. Please note that the “PvE toggle” has not been added to this environment yet; gameplay took place on a PvPvE server accessible to media and industry insiders.
The key features of “Pendra Pass” are the crashed giant ARC “Emperor” and the harsh, frigid environment.Scattered throughout the snow-covered mountain range are locations such as an observatory, a deep-space telescope, Almatera Station, the Old Town, and a railroad junction. The area is characterized by wide-open, white outdoor spaces alongside densely packed areas of railroad facilities and buildings.
With a “dangerous sense of openness” reminiscent of “Spaceport” coexisting alongside detailed built-up areas like “Buried City” and “Blue Gate,” even players familiar with *ARC Raiders* will enjoy the thrill of feeling their way through the map to find safe zones as they progress.
Among the sights of “Pendora Pass,” the massive structure known as the “Fallen Emperor” is particularly eye-catching. The sight of this gigantic machine lying motionless is, of course, more than just a backdrop. In this update, the interior of the Fallen Emperor has been prepared as *ARC Raiders*’ first-ever “dungeon.”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to access it this time because the item needed to enter—which serves as the key—didn’t drop, but entering it is sure to create a sense of tension quite different from regular field exploration.
New Threats and Rewards Amid the Beautiful Snow-Capped Mountains
Another feature of “Pendra Pass” is the new map condition called “Redirection.” Players head to an Emperor relay point on the map to retrieve an “Emperor’s Beacon.” When placed outdoors in an open area, a special “payload” will descend from the sky, granting players various rewards.
However, just because you’ve set up the beacon doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to “safely obtain rare items.”Before the Payload lands, debris falls all around, and the accompanying flashy sound effects and visuals make it easy for ARCs and other players to spot you. You can’t let your guard down until you’ve secured the rewards—or even after you’ve picked them up and are on your way out.
Additionally, numerous enemy ARCs appear in “Pendra Pass.” Alongside familiar enemies like the Bastion, Bombardier, Reaper, and Wasp, we’ve also spotted a new medium-sized ARC called “Bree.”
Raiders equipped with anti-ARC weapons like the Halcracker can probably handle it even on their first try, but the Bree is quite a nuisance because it fires homing projectiles that scatter small grenades.If you underestimate it, thinking, “It’ll be a breeze if I just fire a bunch of Hullcrackers from inside,” you’ll find yourself in hell as a massive barrage of grenades rains down through gaps in the windows and ceiling… and this kind of thing isn’t uncommon.
Additionally, “Skullcars”—which, despite their small size, confuse players with their swift movements—are formidable foes.In terms of how troublesome they are, I felt they were on par with the “Wasp,” but since “Pendora Pass” is set in a snowy mountain range, the “white ARC that blends into the background” poses a significant threat. While I was focused on watching out for the flying ARCs, I’d suddenly find myself under attack by multiple “Skullcars” before I even realized it.
New Gear & Escape Routes to Survive the “Frozen Path”
In “The Frozen Path,” you’ll find even more ways to fight these new ARCs. The “Stiletto” is a new battle rifle that uses small-caliber ammo; it’s a low-cost weapon that could serve as a viable alternative to the “Renegade,” a favorite among many raiders.Although its stability doesn’t quite match the “Renegade,” it’s likely to be a viable option as an affordable companion alongside the “Rattler” and “Stitcher.”
And of course, the “Bantam”—which can also be used against raiders—is another important new piece of gear. Like the “Stiletto,” it sacrifices a bit of stability, but it’s an easy-to-handle new weapon for raiders who have relied on the “Anvil” up until now.
However, unlike the “Anvil,” it cannot be fitted with silencers or similar attachments, so caution is advised. While its firepower may feel a bit underwhelming when facing medium to large ARCs, you’ll be able to take down small ARCs quickly and easily with the “Bantam.”
Additionally, this update introduces a weapon upgrade system called “Amplified Weapons.” Although we didn’t get to experience it directly during this early access playthrough, it opens up further “room for experimentation” with gear that previously had limited uses.
“Fully automatic Beretta” and “Renegade with a scope” have already been teased as “Amplified Weapons,” and the range of possibilities for building your loadout will expand significantly—for example, by using low-cost weapons as your core while investing resources in upgrades.
Additionally, “Pendra Pass” features a dedicated escape method: the “ballistic gondola.” Raiders seeking to escape must first find a walkie-talkie on the field and use it on the spot to request the gondola.
The request location and the actual landing spot are different; the gondola lands a short distance away from where the walkie-talkie was used. After summoning it, you’ll need to make your way to the designated landing spot.
Furthermore, this gondola has a capacity of only three people. Especially right after a new map is released, players will likely find themselves strategizing “how to make the most of their escape,” and the landing and takeoff zones may become incredibly intense battlegrounds.Since a loud siren blares when you request to land, it’s likely to create a level of tension unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Incidentally, it seems the designers have anticipated players circumventing the capacity limit by hanging from the gondola with a grappling hook or snap hook, or by climbing onto the top. It’s an interesting touch that even players who couldn’t secure a regular seat still have a chance of survival right up until the very end.
“Pendra Pass” is a map that introduces new decision-making elements to the exploration, combat, and escape phases, and it launches today, October 8.In addition to the long-awaited new features, this update further expands the world of *ARC Raiders*—known for its captivating post-apocalyptic sci-fi art style—so it’s a must-see for both hardcore PvPvE players and those who prioritize the game’s world-building!
Will you venture into the wreckage of the Emperor, risk everything for the rewards, or choose an early escape? This new battlefield, where cold and danger converge, promises to deliver even more intense drama than ever before.
“ARC Raiders” is currently available for PC (Steam/ Epic Games Store), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. From 6:00 PM JST on October 8 through 5:00 PM JST on October 12, a free-to-play campaign will be held on all platforms, so whether you’ve never played before or have taken a break, why not take this opportunity to give it a try?Note that to play the new map, “Pendra Pass,” you’ll need to progress through the game until it’s unlocked—but if you team up with a player who’s already unlocked it, you can take on the challenge right away!
