Arc Raiders Face a Dilemma: Was Sacrificing Characters for Expedition Loot Worth It?

Some players in Arc Raiders are feeling let down by the rewards from the game’s inaugural Expedition Project, which marks its first significant voluntary character reset. Meanwhile, others are simply excited about the chance to start fresh and dive back into collecting.

Embark has been clear from the outset about the purpose of the Expedition Project: it’s an opportunity for players who feel they’ve exhausted the game to begin anew. Participation is entirely optional, allowing players to continue their current progress if they prefer. However, those who opt in are promised various rewards, yet many feel these incentives fall short.

The studio mentioned “permanent account unlocks,” “unique cosmetic rewards,” and buffs for future expeditions. A particular point of contention seems to be the outfit players receive for completing the expedition. One disappointed player on Reddit questioned, “Was it worth it?” alongside an image of the outfit, reflecting a common sentiment.

Another player expressed disappointment over the limited customization options for the new cosmetics, noting that the only changes available are toggles for the goggles and headgear, unlike other outfits that offer more variety. This has become a frequent complaint among those who believe the rewards aren’t worth the effort.

“I don’t care about high-tier weapons; I’m fine with what I have,” shared another frustrated raider. “But the lack of workbenches and the need for them to upgrade for premium attachments or higher-tier utilities is more tedious than I anticipated. I just want to focus on PVP, where having everything ready for quick crafting can give you an edge. Right now, I’m feeling less motivated to play.”

Conversely, many top comments in the Reddit thread support the expeditions as a voluntary option rather than a mandatory reset.

“Honestly, I understand the complaints, but as a gamer in my thirties, this mindset is amusing,” remarked one player. “The Expedition is a voluntary reset—a ‘prestige’ mechanic for those who have done it all. Why treat a game like a 401k? If you’re not enjoying your gear because you’re worried about losing ‘value’ on a reset, you’ve turned gaming into a second job.”

Others are finding the reset to be a refreshing experience.

“Resetting feels more liberating than I expected. I’m glad I did it. Starting from scratch with my current knowledge will be a whole new adventure,” one player noted. “And yes, the skin is cool. Happy to have it.”

The crux of the debate seems to revolve around whether the expeditions are primarily about the character reset or the rewards that follow. There are enough players who feel the rewards don’t justify the reset to potentially prompt Embark to reconsider them, while others see the expeditions as a simple option for a fresh start, with the rewards being a nice bonus. It’s a classic case of seeing the glass as half empty versus half full.