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: 28k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(58%)
visual improvement
addictive gameplay
survival experience
base-building mechanics
dinosaur variety
love-hate relationship
updated graphics
multiplayer experience
new features
gameplay addiction
performance issues
technical difficulties
frequent crashes
poor optimization
monetization tactics
The game offers a visually appealing and potentially addictive experience with its enhanced graphics and new features, but this is often overshadowed by performance issues and crashes that many players find frustrating. Reviews are also critical of the monetization strategies employed, such as paid mods and DLC, which are seen as cash-grabbing tactics. While players are drawn to the engaging gameplay, technical difficulties such as instability, frequent crashes, and a lack of proper optimization create a love-hate relationship.

Positive Points

  • The game features a significant visual improvement over the original with better graphics and updated UI, providing a visually appealing experience when it runs smoothly.
  • Many players enjoy the core concept of the survival, taming, and building aspects, often describing the gameplay as addictive and engaging.
  • The addition of new features such as wireless power and pipeless irrigation has been appreciated for improving the quality of life in the game.
  • Some reviewers appreciate the game for being a deep and immersive survival experience, with the potential to provide endless hours of gameplay and exploration.
  • The base-building mechanics and the variety of dinosaurs available for taming are highlights for many players.
  • Negative Points

  • The game is plagued by severe performance issues, including frequent crashes, frame rate drops, and poor optimization even on high-end PCs.
  • Reviewers consistently criticize the game's frequent and disruptive crashes during gameplay, leading to loss of progress and frustration.
  • There are numerous bugs including graphical glitches, floating objects, and disappearing resources, which detract significantly from the gameplay experience.
  • Many players express dissatisfaction with the business practices of monetizing mods and DLC, making the game feel like a cash grab with pay-to-win elements.
  • The game's updates often introduce new problems without addressing existing issues, leading to further instability and player frustration.
  • Mixed Points

  • While some players enjoy the updated graphics and new features, others find these improvements do not justify the game's current unstable and bug-ridden condition.
  • The gameplay is considered both incredibly addictive and frustrating due to technical problems, creating a love-hate relationship with the game.
  • Multiplayer experiences are mixed; while some find joy in cooperative play, others are frustrated by server issues and the inability to play with friends without significant technical difficulties.
  • Common Themes

  • Players frequently mention that the game is highly addictive and engaging when it functions properly, but technical issues often overshadow these positives.
  • There is widespread criticism of the game's optimization, with many players suggesting that even high-end hardware cannot deliver a consistent performance.
  • Monetization practices, such as paid mods and DLC, are repeatedly lamented as detrimental to the player's experience and a source of frustration.
  • Despite technical issues, players often return to the game seeking the unique survival experience it offers, indicating a strong interest in its core mechanics.
  • Updated 6/21/2025, 12:01:29 AM UTC