Remake of the classic sci-fi survival
ARK: Survival Ascended is a premium adventure experience from Studio Wildcard, serving as the remake of the classic 2015 survival classic, ARK: Survival Evolved. Rebuilt from the ground up with Unreal Engine 5, this game pits players in a world filled with dinosaurs, fictional monsters brought to life, and other hostile players.
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Enjoy clearer visuals, crisper soundtracks, and updated game mechanics with ARK: Survival Ascended. It enjoys massive revamps to the gameplay experience, not to mention it includes all content from the original game. Imagine Rust or The Forest, but set in the world of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Return to the lost world of ARK
ARK: Survival Ascended lets you return to the floating island in space called the ARK. It is filled with a wide range of biomes inhabited by prehistoric and mythical animals. You get to design your own survivor and farm and craft materials. From a multiplayer standpoint, you can form a tribe. Beyond hunting and outrunning the creatures, this game even allows you to tame and breed them.
As a remake of the 2015 sci-fi hit, it features high-end tech features such as dynamic Global Illumination for more immersive reflections and lighting. It also leverages advanced mesh streaming techs for a more lifelike animation, together with the rest of the overhauled physics systems. Lastly, this all-in-one package includes all ARK worlds, such as Scorched Earth, Extinction, Aberration, the two-part Genesis entries, and more.
Of course, the improved graphics and animation come at a cost. Compared to the original, it now requires 32GB RAM and 70GB of SSD storage –definitely pushing lower and mid-ranged systems to the edge. Also, despite its massive QoL updates, ARK is generally a challenging survival game. There are a lot of things to learn, from the weather system to the behavior patterns of the dinosaurs.
The Aberration Ascended expansion
Wake up to a new reality in ARK: Survival Ascended’s Aberration Ascended content, where the danger and discoveries are as boundless as they are perilous. This malfunctioning ARK submerges you into a stunning yet lethal underground environment marked by treacherous terrains and high radiation levels. It's a fight for survival in an expanse where the surface offers no reprieve, pushing you to navigate the lush, yet perilous, underground biomes.
Navigating this new expansion introduces you to a menagerie of 15 new creatures with incredible abilities tailored to this hostile world. From the wall-climbing, air-gliding Rock Drake to friendly Lantern Pets that fend off the dark, every creature adds a unique dynamic to survival. Brace yourself to encounter the terrifying "Nameless" or, for the brave, undergo the gruesome process of spawning and controlling a male Reaper, a testament to your survival prowess.
Survive and thrive using an expanded array of 30 new Engrams that aid in traversing and mastering Aberration’s tumultuous terrain. Equip yourself with innovations like cave-climbing picks, gliding wingsuits, and ziplines, while defending against hazards with hazmat outfits and charge lanterns. With every new tool and resource — from fishing baskets to gas collectors — you’ll be better equipped to withstand earthquakes, radiation, and gas leaks in your quest to conquer this otherworldly ARK.
Challenging survival in high-resolution
Heavy system requirements aside, the original ARK was such a revolutionary survival experience, and ARK: Survival Ascended takes it to the next level. Not only does it update the visuals, soundtracks, and physics, but also introduces quality-of-life improvements to meet players’ changing needs, both in single and multiplayer. For new players, though, be warned of its steep learning curve and increased difficulty levels.
