Welcome to Act I: The Arrival, where your journey as an ARC Raider begins. This walkthrough section, "The Whispers of the Past," focuses on your initial steps into a world ravaged by the ARC, emphasizing the importance of gathering information and understanding the immediate threats as you orient yourself.
Mission Briefing: Initial Deployment
Your mission begins with a desperate plea for help from a remote outpost. You are deployed into a hostile environment, tasked with assessing the situation and securing vital intelligence. Expect to land in a relatively safe zone, but be prepared for immediate ARC presence.
Objective 1: Secure the Landing Zone
Upon arrival, your first priority is to clear the immediate vicinity of any lurking ARC patrols. These will likely be basic Grunt units. Use your starting weapon, the 'Assault Rifle Mk. I', to dispatch them efficiently. Pay attention to the tutorial prompts that appear on screen, as they will guide you through basic movement, aiming, and shooting mechanics.
Objective 2: Locate the Distress Beacon
Your primary objective is to find the source of the distress signal. This will involve navigating through a partially destroyed settlement or industrial area. Keep an eye out for environmental cues that indicate the direction of the signal, such as damaged communication arrays or lingering energy signatures.
Encountering Early ARC Threats
As you progress, you'll encounter slightly more varied ARC units:
- ARC Grunts: The standard infantry. Focus fire on their glowing chest plates for critical hits.
- ARC Hunters: These faster units will attempt to flank you. Use cover and quick dodges to counter their agility.
Objective 3: Recovering the First Data Log
Near the distress beacon, you will find your first significant piece of lore: an audio log or a data pad. This will provide crucial context about the ARC's arrival and the fate of the outpost's inhabitants. Listen carefully, as it may contain hints about future objectives or enemy weaknesses.
Objective 4: Establish a Temporary Safe Zone
After securing the initial intelligence, you'll need to establish a temporary safe zone. This might involve clearing out a building and activating a defensive beacon or setting up a small perimeter. This action often triggers a small wave of ARC units, testing your ability to defend a fixed position.
Key Learnings from "The Whispers of the Past"
- Basic Combat Proficiency: Master the controls for movement, aiming, and shooting.
- Enemy Identification: Learn to recognize the basic ARC unit types and their primary threats.
- Environmental Awareness: Utilize cover and be mindful of your surroundings.
- Importance of Lore: Understand that gathering information is as vital as combat.
Transition to the Next Stage
Upon completing these initial objectives, you will have a foundational understanding of the immediate ARC threat and the state of the world. The information gathered will point you towards your next critical objective: confronting a more significant ARC presence, which leads into the next part of Act I.