For two decades, Call of Duty and Battlefield have dominated the multiplayer FPS scene. One focuses on rhythm and the spectacular, the other on immersion and tactics. In 2025, the two licenses tried to win back their audiences with highly anticipated opuses: Battlefield 6 And Black Ops 7.
Excitement built in the spring, with the first leaks from Battlefield playtests. Fans saw it as a return to the DNA of Bad Company 2 Or Battlefield 3. The August beta confirmed expectations: record attendance, a return to favor with PC and Xbox players, and dizzying sales figures in the United States.
For his part, Black Ops 7 attempted to correct the mistakes of his predecessor. Exit the absurd skins, make way for less constrained matchmaking and a refined zombies mode. But the solo considered grotesque and a formula that had become predictable slowed down its takeoff.
ARC Raiders, the surprise guest who changed everything
Nobody saw it coming. ARC Raidersa PvPvE extraction game from Embark Studios, has arrived without fanfare. And he shook everything up. The title offers a tense, unpredictable experience, where you improvise based on other players… friends or enemies.
There is no imposed scenario here. Each game is a micro-adventure: last-minute betrayals, improvised alliances, spectacular reversals. Unique gaming moments that mark, frustrate, amuse – and make you want to come back straight away.
An immersion that the behemoths no longer offer
Battlefield 6 excels in teamwork and shared goals. Black Ops 7 remains effective, but lacks soul in its gameplay loop. ARC Raiders shines with the unpredictable. No script, no automatic mode, just the constant tension of a merciless world.
Where the giants struggle to renew themselves, this newcomer offers a rare form of freedom. The PvPvE genre, long discreet, finds here a solid, ambitious, and devilishly catchy incarnation.
The real game of the year is the one we didn’t expect
The most impressive thing is that ARC Raiders stands out not by its numbers, but by its impact. No top 1 on PlayStation or Game Pass, but a lasting imprint on those who try it.
In 2025, experience has taken over habits. It’s not an explosive trailer or a famous license that won over players… but a game that was able to bring real moments to life. The Battlefield vs Call of Duty duel took place. But victory went to a third name: ARC Raiders.