Ark: Survival Ascended, often abbreviated as Ark: Ascended, is a visually stunning revamp of the popular survival game Ark: Survival Evolved. Released in 2023, Ascended boasts a graphical overhaul powered by Unreal Engine 5, promising a more immersive and breathtaking experience. But is it worth the upgrade, or should players stick with the original? This review dives deep into Ark: Ascended, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares to its predecessor.

A Feast for the Eyes: Visual Enhancements

The most immediate difference between Ark: Evolved and Ascended is the graphical upgrade. Ascended leverages the power of Unreal Engine 5 to create stunning visuals. From the lush, vibrant jungles to the desolate wastelands, environments are teeming with detail. Dinosaurs are meticulously recreated, with realistic textures and animations that bring them to life.

Players who loved the original Ark will appreciate the dramatic improvement in atmosphere. Sunsets cast long shadows across the landscape, rainstorms become immersive spectacles, and the overall world feels more alive. However, these graphical improvements come at a cost. Ascended requires a powerful PC to run smoothly, with minimum requirements exceeding those of Evolved.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect visually:

Enhanced Textures: Textures across the board are significantly improved, with detailed environments, realistic dinosaur scales, and high-fidelity character models.

Improved Lighting and Shadows: Dynamic lighting creates a more immersive world, with realistic shadows and stunning sunrises and sunsets. Weather effects like rain and snow are also visually impressive.

Increased Draw Distance: Players can now see further into the distance, offering a more expansive and breathtaking view of the Ark.

While the visual upgrade is undeniable, some players on YouTube reviews have expressed concerns about performance. Ascended seems to be more demanding than Evolved, with some users reporting frame rate issues even on high-end machines.

Taming the Beasts: Gameplay Enhancements

Ascended isn’t just a graphical upgrade; it also introduces some gameplay improvements. Here are some key changes:

Quality of Life Improvements: Taming mechanics have been streamlined, making it easier to capture and tame dinosaurs. Resource gathering has also been tweaked, with some resources being more readily available. A revamped inventory system makes managing your belongings less cumbersome.

Character Creation Overhaul: The character creation system has been completely revamped, allowing for more detailed and personalized player avatars. Players can now choose from a wider variety of body types, hairstyles, and facial features.

Map Rework: The maps have been reworked to improve navigation and exploration. A new tracking system allows players to easily locate tamed dinosaurs across the map, a feature sorely missed in Evolved.

These changes are generally well-received by the community. However, some long-time Ark players feel that the streamlined mechanics take away from the challenge of the original game.

Echoes from the Past: Persistent Issues

While Ascended boasts improvements, some of the long-standing issues from Evolved persist. Here are some areas where Ascended could benefit from further development:

Performance Issues: As mentioned earlier, Ascended can be demanding on PC hardware. While optimizations are likely coming, players with older machines may experience performance issues.

Bugs and Glitches: Bugs and glitches are a persistent issue in Ark games, and Ascended is no exception. While some bugs have been addressed, others remain, potentially disrupting gameplay.

Server Woes: Server stability has been a point of contention in Ark for a long time. While some improvements have been made, server crashes and connection issues can still be frustrating for players, especially those playing on official servers.

These issues are a cause for concern for some players, especially those who experienced similar problems in Evolved. It’s important to consider these potential drawbacks before purchasing Ascended.

The Verdict: To Ascend or Not to Ascend?

So, is Ark: Survival Ascended worth it? The answer depends on your priorities:

For New Players: If you’re new to Ark and want to experience the game with stunning visuals and some quality-of-life improvements, Ascended is a compelling option. Just be prepared for potentially demanding hardware requirements.

For Evolved Veterans: The decision is trickier. If you love Evolved and don’t mind the visuals, you might not find enough reason to upgrade to Ascended, especially considering the performance concerns and lingering bugs. However, if the graphical overhaul and some gameplay tweaks are enticing, Ascended could be worth a try, especially if you have a powerful PC.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Ark: Survival Ascended offers a visually stunning and slightly streamlined take on the Ark formula. 

FAQs

Is Ark: Survival Evolved worth playing in 2024?

Absolutely! Ark continues to be a popular survival game with a dedicated player base. The core gameplay loop of taming dinosaurs, building bases, and exploring a vast world remains engaging. Several major expansions have also added new content, creatures, and storylines. However, Ark also has its fair share of challenges, so consider your gaming preferences before diving in.

What are the pros and cons of Ark: Survival Evolved?

Pros:

Unique dinosaur focus: Taming and riding a variety of dinosaurs is a thrilling and strategic aspect of the game.

Huge open world: Explore diverse environments filled with resources, dangers, and secrets.

Deep crafting system: Craft weapons, armor, tools, structures, and even vehicles for survival and domination.

Solo or multiplayer: Play on your own or team up with friends to build, tame, and conquer the Ark.

Regular updates: The game continues to receive updates with new content and bug fixes.

Cons:

Steep learning curve: Ark can be unforgiving for beginners, with complex mechanics and unforgiving environments.

Grindy gameplay: Taming dinosaurs and gathering resources can be time-consuming.

Performance issues: Especially on older hardware, Ark can suffer from frame rate drops and lag.

PvP focus on some servers: Player versus Player combat can be brutal, especially on official servers. Consider playing on PvE (Player versus Environment) servers for a more relaxed experience.

Is Ark a good single-player game?

Yes, Ark can be enjoyed as a single-player experience. You can adjust the difficulty settings to make the game more manageable and explore the world at your own pace. However, the social aspect of taming dinosaurs and building bases with friends is a big part of Ark’s appeal.

What are some tips for new Ark players?

Start on a PvE server: This will allow you to learn the ropes without the constant threat of PvP.

Focus on survival basics: Find food, water, and shelter before venturing too far.

Tame a good starter dinosaur: Parasaurs and Dodos are easy to tame and offer basic utility.

Build a secure base: Protect yourself from predators and the elements.

Explore and experiment: The world of Ark is vast and full of discoveries.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help: The Ark community is generally friendly and helpful to new players.

What are the best expansions for Ark?

The Scorched Earth expansion adds a challenging desert environment with unique creatures and resources. The Aberration expansion takes players underground into a bioluminescent world filled with danger and wonder. Extinction is the final chapter in the story arc, introducing a new biome with a focus on boss fights and high-level content.

Should I buy Ark on PC, console, or mobile?

The best platform for Ark depends on your preferences. PC offers the best graphics, performance, and access to mods. Consoles offer a more relaxed experience with controller support. Mobile offers a more streamlined version of the game, but it can’t compete with the depth of the other platforms.

Is Ark: Survival Evolved appropriate for children?

Ark has a T for Teen ESRB rating due to violence, blood, and some suggestive themes. While taming dinosaurs and building bases can be a fun activity for children, the game’s PvP elements and occasional graphic content should be considered.

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