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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): $11.24
Current Players: 41k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(60%)
dinosaur survival
engaging gameplay
improved graphics
addictive
graphics quality
community-driven content
poor optimization
monetization practices
critical bugs
large file size
The general sentiment around ARK: Survival Ascended is highly mixed; while the game is praised for its engaging dinosaur survival gameplay and improved graphics, it suffers from significant optimization issues and critical bugs carried over from Ark Survival Evolved. The community is notably divided over the monetization practices and recurring mixed reviews of graphical quality. The game continues to be a favorite for those who love its unique survival mechanics, but technical problems and monetization decisions sour the experience for many long-term fans.

Positive Points

  • Players appreciate the vast open-world dinosaur survival experience that ARK offers, with its engaging gameplay that includes building, taming, and exploring.
  • The game receives praise for its improvement in graphics, bringing a more modern and visually appealing look compared to Ark Survival Evolved.
  • Some players enjoy the depth and progression system, including the breeding mechanics and the endless potential for gameplay that keeps players coming back.
  • Many users find the game addictive, engaging them for hundreds or even thousands of hours due to its unique combination of survival and taming elements.

    • Negative Points

  • There is significant criticism about the game's poor optimization, resulting in crashes, lag, and performance issues even on high-end PCs.
  • Players express frustration over the large file size and frequent updates that require extensive free space and can make the game unplayable due to storage issues.
  • Many reviews highlight dissatisfaction with the pay-to-win elements, particularly the locking of new creatures and important game features behind paid DLCs.
  • There are ongoing issues with bugs from the original Ark that have persisted into this version, causing frustration among long-time players.

    • Mixed Points

  • The game's community reviews show a dichotomy between those who love the freedom and expansive gameplay and those who are frustrated with technical issues.
  • While some players appreciate the updated graphics, others feel the game looks worse than Ark Survival Evolved, expressing disappointment with visual quality.
  • Feedback on the modding community is mixed, with praise for its contributions but criticism regarding the move towards paid mods.

    • Common Themes

  • Optimization and performance issues are a recurring theme, with many players unable to play the game smoothly.
  • There is a widespread sense of disappointment among players regarding the game being a cash grab through excessive paid content.
  • The game's addictive nature keeps many players engaged despite its flaws, highlighting its core engaging gameplay and community-driven content.
    • Updated 5/28/2026, 12:01:24 AM UTC
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