{
  "id": 12648928,
  "title": "I had 3 hours with Arc Raiders Frozen Trails update and spent most of it playing with the new grapple hook",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/i-had-3-hours-with-arc-raiders-frozen-trails-update-and-spent-most-of",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-07T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/i-had-3-hours-with-arc-raiders-frozen-trails-update-and-spent-most-of-it-playing-with-the-new-grapple-hook/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During my recent three-hour session with the new Arc Raiders update, I found myself most engrossed in experimenting with the newly introduced grapple hook. Embark Studios has truly outdone themselves with this authentic grapple hook feature, unlike the existing zip-to-aim mechanic. This rope-like gadget, classified as a green-tier tool, proves to be remarkably versatile in gameplay.\n\nThe grapple hook allows you to ascend buildings, swing from rooftop to rooftop, descend safely from great heights, and even annoy flying Arc bots. Its most remarkable feature is its ability to adhere to nearly any surface, transforming the landed point into a pivot for climbing, descending, or swinging motions. Moreover, you can redeploy the hook mid-air without any cooldowns or usage limits, allowing for continuous chaining of swings.\n\nOne of the first things I noticed was how quickly scaling buildings became with the grapple hook, which is a level of pendulum-based freedom rarely seen in games, even in multiplayer settings. Personally, I spent most of my time testing the hook’s capabilities, often at the expense of exploring the new locations in Pendola Pass. Nevertheless, I felt that the grapple hook significantly augmented my movement options, feeling like my movement abilities had tripled in Arc Raiders.\n\nIn addition to the grapple hook, Frozen Trails also introduces a launcher that secures two objects together and a grenade that causes Arc bots to crash to the ground. However, I didn’t have the opportunity to thoroughly test these features. Embark’s decision to incorporate physics-based tools in the game is commendable, even if these mechanics are occasionally janky. Using the grapple hook reveals why other games struggle with similar mechanics; sometimes you might climb all the way up the rope only to miss the ledge at the top, or the rope could tangle with a balcony protrusion, or slide off a giant Emperor bot in Pendola Pass. It requires trial and error to master the grapple hook, yet it remains far more engaging than frustrating.\n\nEmbark Studios has also revamped the skill tree, merging old and new abilities. Certain branches force you to choose between different abilities, such as Mule’s Gallop, Conditioning 10 Vault, Spring, Vaults On Vaults, Sprinting on Fumes, Wall Run, and In The Flow. While the skill tree offers meaningful long-term progression, the majority of nodes are incremental stat boosts, which, so far, haven’t dramatically changed my gameplay style.\n\nPendola Pass, one of the new maps, is visually distinct and introduces unique gameplay elements like snow, flash freezes, and trails left by raiders. However, the map feels repetitive after a while, resembling chunks of existing maps. The real allure of Arc Raiders might lie in conquering the Emperor, a feat I didn’t attempt during the preview period. Overall, I am impressed with Embark Studios' embrace of physics-based tools and their willingness to allow these emergent gameplay mechanics, even if they occasionally lead to jank.",
  "summary": "Frozen Trail is a big moment for Arc Raiders.",
  "key_points": [
    "Three-hour session with Arc Raiders Frozen Trails update",
    "Experimented extensively with new grapple hook feature",
    "Enhanced movement options and gameplay engagement"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Polygon",
        "title": "What time does the Arc Raiders 'Frozen Trail' update release in your time zone?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/what-time-does-the-arc-raiders-frozen-trail-update-release-in-your",
        "published": "2026-10-07T14:38:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}