The new Arc Raiders Flashpoint update brings back that early-game fear

Those early hours in Arc Raiders were pretty magical when I think back. Not really knowing what was going on, every new Arc enemy I came across seemed to have my number, and be able to decimate me if I wasn't paying attention. Things are different now, of course, and I can deal with pretty much anything in my way - I'm a better player for it, but that feeling of unease left a long time ago. Until now.

The Arc Raiders Flashpoint update adds a few things that have knocked me off kilter - in a good way - and already have me planning my next trip topside. The Vaporizer, for instance, is a new enemy that looks a lot more sophisticated than its brethren, and according to the patch notes, has an idiosyncratic attack pattern (Read: erratic, difficult to dodge, a pain in the ass) and a devastating amount of damage.

Usually, this would be all well and good, since the plan B to any Arc attack is to run like hell and live to fight another day. The Flashpoint update, however, adds a pretty juicy loot spot called the Assessor, part of the new map condition, Close Scrutiny. This is some kind of Arc device that houses a lot of gear, but comes with the danger of an increased Arc presence, and also whoever else decides to wander in.

To drive this point home, the Arc Raiders update also brings in two new weapons, both angled towards dealing with AI enemies, which is the thing that gives me the most pause of all. An SMG that uses medium ammo, the Canto, and an energy shotgun, perfect for dealing with Arc - the Dolabra. I'm being geared up to take on a level of threat not seen since the early days.

I like how the Flashpoint update has turned out - it doesn't add anything huge, like a new map, but it's just enough that I think it will bring players back before the Riven Tides update next month. The player count has been in decline, but I think regular injections of content like this should be enough to keep it ticking over.

For now, though, I need to get my hands on those new weapons, find one of those Assessors, and see what's inside - I just hope that I don't get vaporized, or riddled with bullets, or, you know, one of the 50 other things that can happen to me while I'm out and about. The Arc Raiders Flashpoint update is out right now, if you want to jump back in.