ARK: Survival Ascended
Action
Adventure
Indie
Massively Multiplayer
RPG
Early Access
Single-player
Multi-player
MMO
PvP
Online PvP
LAN PvP
Co-op
Online Co-op
LAN Co-op
Shared/Split Screen Co-op
Shared/Split Screen
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Includes level editor
Remote Play Together
Family Sharing

ARK is reimagined from the ground-up into the next-generation of video game technology with Unreal Engine 5! Form a tribe, tame & breed hundreds of unique dinosaurs and primeval creatures, explore, craft, build, and fight your way to the top of the food-chain. Your new world awaits!

Developers: Studio Wildcard Grove Street Games Instinct Games
Publishers: Studio Wildcard Snail Games USA
Release Date: Oct 25, 2023
Price (USD): $44.99
Current Players: 22k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(58%)
fun gameplay
improved visuals
engaging survival
dinosaur taming
addictive
graphics improvements
addictive nature
expanded world
new features
poor optimization
pay-to-win
frequent crashes
expensive DLCs
monetization issues
The general sentiment of the reviews is quite about the game's performance issues and monetization strategies, which have led to frustration among players. However, there is praise for the enhancements in graphics and the engaging gameplay involving survival and dinosaurs, which still retains its core appeal for many fans. Although players are drawn to its addictive nature, the technical issues and monetization tactics often detract from the overall experience.

Positive Points

  • Many players appreciate the game's fun and addictive nature, often noting its engaging gameplay with dinosaurs and survival elements.
  • Several users mentioned the improved visuals and graphics as a significant upgrade from the previous version, ARK: Survival Evolved.
  • The game is praised for its expansive world and the ability to explore and tame a variety of dinosaurs, which is a unique and enjoyable aspect.
  • Some players noted the quality of life improvements and new features that enhance the gameplay experience, despite the game's issues.
  • Negative Points

  • The game's performance is a major issue, with frequent reports of crashes, lag, and poor optimization, even on high-end PCs.
  • Many users criticized the game for being a cash grab with pay-to-win elements, particularly the DLCs that add significant advantages.
  • Players expressed frustration about long and frequent updates, which often require substantial disk space and can interrupt gameplay.
  • Some reviews highlighted the persistence of bugs and glitches from the original ARK: Survival Evolved, which have not been addressed in this remaster.
  • Mixed Points

  • The game's graphics and visual improvements are seen as both a positive and a negative; they enhance the game's look but come at the cost of performance issues.
  • While the expanded world and new features are appreciated, there's criticism that they are overshadowed by the monetization strategies and technical issues.
  • The game is noted for its addictiveness, which can be a draw for some players but also leads to concerns about time investment and grind.
  • Common Themes

  • Performance issues are the most commonly mentioned problem, with complaints about the game's optimization and frequent crashes.
  • The monetization model, particularly pay-to-win features and expensive DLCs, is a significant point of criticism.
  • Despite its flaws, the game is often described as fun and addictive, with many players enjoying the core gameplay of survival and dinosaur taming.
  • Improved graphics are frequently noted, but opinions are divided on whether they justify the game's technical shortcomings.
  • Updated 7/23/2025, 12:02:32 AM UTC