Arc Raiders hands out a grappling hook to everyone: is this the heir to Uncharted 4's?

Arc Raiders has just made a move that could change the way the game is played. As reported by Vida Extra, starting today every player has the same item in their inventory: a new grappling hook. It's not a cosmetic or a reward reserved for a lucky few. It's a tool that will be in the hands of every raider who drops into a match.

Why does it matter? Because few mechanics stick in players' memories quite like the grappling hook. Vida Extra ties it directly to Uncharted 4, the Naughty Dog game that, more than a decade ago now, made this tool the star of some of its best moments. They also hint that Arc Raiders' version is aiming to claim that same special place. When a mobility tool reaches everyone at once, the entire game reshapes itself around it.

What you need to know

• As of today, the new grappling hook is part of every Arc Raiders player's inventory.
• It's the same item for everyone, so no one starts with an advantage for having it.
• Vida Extra compares it to the grappling hook in Uncharted 4, which it considers unmatched to this day.
• The closest reference they cite is the traversal system in Marvel's Spider-Man, though they admit it's not the same thing.

The bar Uncharted 4 set

To understand the expectations, you have to look back. Uncharted 4 launched in 2016, and its grappling hook was no mere decoration. It worked in both the campaign and multiplayer, helped with platforming and puzzle-solving, and was the centerpiece of the famous jeep chase. Many point to that sequence as the best chase in video game history. That versatility is what turned Nathan Drake's grappling hook into a benchmark.

Since then, few games have come close. The source itself mentions Marvel's Spider-Man as the closest match, although it works on a different logic. There, web-swinging is a full traversal system, not a situational tool you choose when to use. That distinction is key for Arc Raiders, a game where every movement decision can mean the difference between extracting with your loot and losing everything.

What could change in Arc Raiders

The source doesn't go into technical detail about how the grappling hook works in a match, so it's wise to be cautious. Even so, the simple fact that everyone has it already raises some interesting questions. It could open up new rotation routes, make high ground easier to reach and enable escapes that were impossible before. And, of course, new ways to ambush anyone who relies too heavily on elevation.

Our take

Here in the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we like the decision to give it to everyone equally. In a competitive game, a mobility tool locked behind progression or luck breaks the balance. Handed out to everyone, it becomes just another skill to master. The difference here won't come down to who has the grappling hook, but who uses it best, and that's exactly what we want to see.

That said, let's be critical: comparing it to Uncharted 4 sets the bar extremely high. That grappling hook shined in levels designed down to the last detail around it. If Arc Raiders' maps don't back it up with well-thought-out anchor points, the hook could end up as a flashy gimmick nobody takes seriously. The opposite could also happen: it might prove so dominant that the entire meta revolves around it. The first few weeks will tell us a lot, and we wouldn't rule out some balancing changes.

For content creators, on the other hand, this is gold. A new, spectacular mechanic available to everyone is the perfect recipe for clips, route guides and impossible plays. If you make Arc Raiders content, now is the time to experiment, before everyone has the optimal route memorized.

What do you think?

You know where we stand; now we want to hear from you. Do you think the grappling hook will truly change the way Arc Raiders is played, or will it be a passing novelty? Can it come close to the level of Uncharted 4? Drop by the team chat or our Discord and let us know: are you making it your go-to tool starting today?