The New Argo Raft - Perfect for Hauling Missions - Star Citizen Ship Talk S1E07

The video reviews the upgraded Argo Raft in Star Citizen, highlighting improvements in cargo handling, maneuverability, and ease of use following the Alpha 4.1.1 update, making it a more practical and efficient hauler. The reviewer demonstrates smooth loading, responsive flight performance, and precise offloading, emphasizing the ship’s enhanced capabilities for hauling missions.

The video review focuses on the Argo Raft, a compact industrial ship in Star Citizen designed primarily for hauling sealed cargo containers. Initially, the ship faced criticism due to its limited cargo capacity, sluggish responsiveness, and lack of versatility, which made it less appealing to players. However, with the release of Star Citizen Alpha 4.1.1, the Raft received several notable updates aimed at improving its performance and usability. These updates included enhanced maneuvering thrusters for better agility, smoother cargo loading thanks to physicalized cargo updates, and a slight shield upgrade, all intended to make the ship more efficient and practical for hauling missions.

The reviewer begins by testing the ship’s cargo handling capabilities, starting at Area 18 and heading toward Baiji Point with two cargo delivery missions totaling 182 SCU, close to the Raft’s new maximum capacity of 192 SCU. Cargo is loaded manually using a tractor beam, which the reviewer finds to be straightforward, responsive, and efficient. Despite a visual bug with the Fred elevator lighting, the cargo containers snap neatly onto the ship’s cargo grid, and the entire loading process takes less than four minutes. This quick and smooth loading experience marks a significant improvement, highlighting the ship’s enhanced cargo handling capabilities post-update.

Next, the review covers the ship’s flight performance. The Raft’s takeoff process has been simplified, no longer requiring the use of VTOL mode due to improved thrusters. The ship now lifts off smoothly and effortlessly, even in atmosphere, with faster climbing and better responsiveness. This marks a significant upgrade from previous versions, where the ship was sluggish and more challenging to operate. The reviewer notes that the ship still feels like a heavy hauler but now handles more responsively, making it more practical for quick turnaround times during cargo runs.

The journey continues with the ship making a quick quantum jump to the destination at Benny Point. The Raft’s compact size makes landing easy and precise, allowing the reviewer to align the ship perfectly with a freight elevator. Offloading is done using the rear-mounted tractor beam, which functions smoothly and allows containers to be lowered with precision. The process of unloading solo feels intuitive and efficient, matching the ease of loading, and highlights how the updates have made the Raft a more capable and user-friendly cargo vessel.

In conclusion, the reviewer emphasizes that the upgraded Argo Raft has been transformed into a much more effective cargo hauling ship. It now performs tasks quickly and smoothly, fulfilling its role as a specialized industrial vessel. The improvements in maneuverability, cargo handling, and ease of operation make the Raft a standout choice for players focused on freight gameplay in Star Citizen. The video ends with a call for viewers to share their experiences and favorite ships, along with a promotion for a giveaway, fostering community engagement around the game’s evolving ship lineup.