Pokémon and ARC Raiders collide in intriguing extraction RPG that's free to try on Steam

Pokémon and ARC Raiders are two very different games. Since the mid-90s, Pokémon has been one of Nintendo’s most popular RPG franchises, tasking players with capturing, training, and evolving creatures while exploring vast worlds, completing missions, and interacting with NPCs.

ARC Raiders, on the other hand, is a third-person extraction shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world where players scavenge for valuable loot while fighting deadly machines and rival players who want to steal their loot and escape. So, what happens when Pokémon and ARC Raiders get together to have a baby? Amiko Legends.

What is Amiko Legends?

Much like Pokémon, Amiko Legends, developed and published by the indie team Aurory, is a creature-collecting RPG with an ARC Raiders-inspired extraction twist. In Amiko Legends, you can battle NPCs in PvE action and human players in PvP. Alternatively, you can explore the world with friends and embark on an epic expedition.

However, unlike ARC Raiders, where you have to extract from the map, in Amiko Legends, it's up to you. You can choose to extract with what you already have or risk it all and continue your adventure, taking on deadly foes for even greater rewards. But by doing so, you risk losing everything if you die. It’s a proper risk-versus-reward concept.

It seems that Amiko Legends has strategic elements too.

"The right team isn't fixed; it's built. Each Amiko's traits, elemental attributes, and star rating open up different strategies for different situations. Shift your lineup for tough expeditions, lean into specific environments, or find the combination that gives you the edge in every battle," reads the description of the game on Steam.

Amiko Legends looks like the perfect game, especially for Pokémon fans intrigued by the concept of ARC Raiders but looking for something a little more casual and less stressful.

Will Amiko Legends be free to play, and does it have a release date?

No, sadly not. When Amiko Legends launches in full, it will be a paid game, with an Early Access release planned for Steam towards the end of 2026. However, a confirmed release date and price have yet to be announced at the time of writing.

You can, in the meantime, enjoy a free demo though which has landed on Steam, offering a brief slice of the game ahead of its launch.

READ MORE: Steam drops free retro-inspired RPG for limited time that screams classic Pokémon

What is the community saying about Amiko Legends?

“Looks fire! Looking forward to this!” said paampit in the comments section on the demo trailer.

“Palworld really opened the door,” suggested panyat, referring to the popular Pokémon rival.

“Looks really nice, well done guys!” commented Gehaktbal1231 on another Amiko Legends trailer.

“Let's gooooo!” yelled DanspadeGaming.

After playing the demo, it might be worth adding Amiko Legends to your Steam wishlist to be notified when it’s ready to launch in early access.

READ MORE: ARC Raiders: Every new feature in the Frozen Trail update as game made free-to-play