Ark: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved has some great moments of battle with prehistoric beasts, but just as many of AI bugs and grind.

71%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

optimization, stability

81% User Score Based on 239,208 reviews

Critic Score 60%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

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About

Ark: Survival Evolved is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Virtual Basement LLC and was released on August 27, 2017. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Combining the base game with 3 massive Expansion Packs, ARK: Survival Evolved Explorer's Edition is a ultimate way to get even more dinosaur action! The Explorer's Edition gives you access to the mega hit ARK: Survival Evolved as well as the Scorched Earth, Aberration, and Extinction Expansion Packs, adding nearly 900 hours of gameplay!

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 239,208 reviews

graphics5.7k positive mentions

optimization3.7k negative mentions

graphics
12,631 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
48%
7%
The graphics of "Ark: Survival Evolved" receive mixed reviews from players. Many praise the game's stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly in environments and dinosaur models, which create an immersive experience. However, numerous players also report significant performance issues, including lag, crashes, and graphical glitches, especially on lower-end systems, indicating that the game is demanding on hardware and often poorly optimized. Overall, while the graphics can be breathtaking on high settings, they require a powerful PC to fully appreciate, leading to frustration for those with less capable machines.
- “The graphics and creatures are just amazing.”
- “The graphics are very good and the attention to detail is well thought out.”
- “The graphics are stunning—when they load.”
- “It's a 10-year-old game, and the most basic things still give graphical issues.”
- “The graphics might look decent in screenshots, but in reality, they’re an inconsistent eyesore.”
- “Even on high-end systems, players may experience performance drops, lag, and graphical glitches.”
optimization
11,601 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
56%
32%
The optimization of "Ark: Survival Evolved" has been a persistent issue since its early access launch, with players frequently reporting severe performance problems, including frame rate drops, crashes, and long loading times, even on high-end systems. Despite some improvements over the years, many users feel that the game remains poorly optimized, often requiring significant hardware to run smoothly, and they express frustration over the developers' focus on new content rather than addressing these critical performance issues. Overall, while the game offers a rich and engaging experience, its optimization shortcomings significantly detract from the enjoyment for many players.
- “This game is great, but it is poorly optimized and requires very strong hardware to achieve a smooth and decent-looking experience.”
- “Despite some performance issues, it's a rewarding game for survival genre fans.”
- “The game has come a long way and is quite enjoyable now, the performance issues seem to be resolved and the mod community is still active.”
- “The optimization is abysmal; no matter how powerful your system is, you’ll experience constant frame drops, crashes, and horrendous lag that turn the game into an unplayable slideshow.”
- “This game is a buggy, unoptimized mess, with many of its core features broken, missing, or must be actively played around so your game doesn't corrupt.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, buggy and needs general polishing instead of new content being pumped out by the devs for maximum profit.”
gameplay
9,831 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
The gameplay of "Ark: Survival Evolved" is characterized by a mix of engaging survival mechanics, dinosaur taming, and crafting, offering players a vast open world filled with exploration and challenges. However, many players report significant issues with bugs, clunky mechanics, and a steep learning curve, which can detract from the overall experience, especially for newcomers. While the game provides countless hours of gameplay and is enhanced by a vibrant modding community, its performance and balance issues, particularly in multiplayer settings, often lead to frustration.
- “The gameplay blends terrifying dinosaurs, deep crafting mechanics, and challenging base-building to keep you hooked the entire time.”
- “Its depth, ongoing content updates, and community-driven gameplay make it a game that I keep coming back to, even after thousands of hours.”
- “The gameplay mechanics in Ark are extensive and offer a deep and rewarding experience.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it’s an absolute grind-fest nightmare with no semblance of balance.”
- “The official servers are an unbearable circus of lag, bugs, and PvP imbalances where fairness doesn’t exist, and survival is less about skill and more about who can exploit the game’s broken mechanics the fastest.”
- “Plays like shit, the gameplay is absolute ass bloated with bugs that make everything unfun and frustrating.”
stability
8,467 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The stability of "Ark: Survival Evolved" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that have persisted since its early access days. Many users express frustration over game-breaking glitches that can lead to lost progress, while others note that the game can be enjoyable despite its flaws. Overall, while the game offers a rich experience, its ongoing instability and lack of significant fixes from the developers detract from its potential.
- “Many years since its famously haphazard launch, Ark is relatively bug free, quite stable, and still actively supported.”
- “The game runs great for the most part.”
- “This game is great for crafters and relatively bug free for even a full release game, yet this game is currently in early access.”
- “This game is a buggy mess, and if you don't know how to run a computer, I wouldn't play this game.”
- “The glitches in this game are enough to make you want to throw your controller across the room.”
- “This game is broken, buggy, and the developers don't care about their community or this game.”
grinding
5,426 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The grinding aspect of "Ark: Survival Evolved" is a significant point of contention among players, with many reviews highlighting it as both a core feature and a major drawback. While some players find the extensive resource gathering, taming, and crafting rewarding and integral to the survival experience, others describe it as tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly on official servers with default settings. Many recommend adjusting game settings or playing on unofficial servers to reduce the grind, making the game more enjoyable and accessible, especially for those with limited playtime. Overall, the game is best suited for players who enjoy grinding and have the time to invest in its demanding gameplay.
- “Even though there is a grind, it is so cool that you can tame dinos to help with that, and once again it is so immersive that the grind is not tedious at all.”
- “The game is not too grindy unless you make it.”
- “It is one of the most beautiful games that I have ever played, and there are so many settings that you can tweak on your own servers that you can use to really modify the game easily; you can make it as grindy or not grindy as you like.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The amount of time wasted on tedious, repetitive tasks like gathering resources or maintaining your base is maddening, and the game punishes you for daring to log out by letting your hard-earned progress get destroyed by other players, hostile creatures, or even server wipes.”
- “This game is incredibly fun if you can stand the insane amount of grinding this game requires you to do to complete every map.”
story
3,992 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The story in "Ark: Survival Evolved" is often described as intriguing yet fragmented, primarily conveyed through explorer notes scattered throughout the game world. While many players appreciate the depth of lore and the freedom to create their own narratives, others criticize the lack of a structured quest system and clear objectives, making the story feel optional and sometimes hard to follow. Overall, the game offers a rich backdrop for exploration and survival, but its storytelling approach may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional narrative experience.
- “The story is very deep and fun, with a thrilling narrative that keeps you engaged throughout your journey.”
- “The storyline is great, and the ability to uncover it through exploration adds a layer of depth to the gameplay.”
- “Ark has a very interesting underlying story and I remember staying up watching lore and theory videos back before extinction came out.”
- “The story is told so poorly.”
- “The game has no real set story line or even main quests or anything like that, it's completely open world and you can do whatever you want if you're into it.”
- “The storyline is lackluster and the patchwork lore leaves a lot to be desired.”
humor
1,592 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Ark: Survival Evolved" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's absurdity and the comedic potential of its glitches and character customization. Many reviews mention hilarious moments stemming from unexpected interactions with dinosaurs, such as ragdoll physics and the ability to throw poop, which adds a lighthearted touch to the survival experience. Overall, the game is best enjoyed with friends, as shared experiences often lead to memorable and laugh-out-loud situations.
- “The opportunities for hilarious moments and unforgettable memories are endless, making this game way more than just a survival sim; it's the perfect concoction of evolution, creativity, and complete absurdity!”
- “I wholeheartedly recommend Ark: Survival Evolved to anyone who wants to experience the thrill of taming, crafting, and battling in the most chaotic and hilarious way possible.”
- “Playing in a full server with other players will create such unique memories of fighting, building, and funny moments to share until the end of time.”
- “This company is so greedy it's just not funny anymore, if you bought Ark and all its DLC.”
- “If this is an April Fools' joke, it's not funny at all.”
- “The game itself is just amazing, but bugs are not funny and sometimes a bug could kill you, but that is something I can live with.”
music
717 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker as epic and immersive, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game. However, there are frequent complaints about the excessively loud main menu music and issues with music cutting in and out during gameplay, which can detract from the experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as one of the game's highlights, the volume levels and audio bugs have led to frustration among players.
- “The sound design is equally impressive, with ambient noises, dinosaur roars, and immersive music that enhances the game's atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack in Ark is probably the best soundtrack I have ever heard in a game, with its almightiness. The best song in the soundtrack, in my opinion, is the Overseer and the Rockwell theme.”
- “Regardless of whether or not you decide to buy Ark: Survival Evolved, I strongly suggest that you listen to the Ark: Survival Evolved soundtrack that Gareth Coker composed.”
- “The music is either lame or nonexistent.”
- “Help me, my grandmother has fallen into the fireplace because of how loud the menu music is, and by the time I turned it down she was already burnt to a crisp. Needless to say, grandma is gone because of your stupid loud menu music.”
- “The intro music when I started my first game cut in and out, sounding terrible.”
monetization
568 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
11%
88%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many players expressing frustration over the developers' focus on releasing paid DLC and remastered versions instead of addressing existing bugs and performance issues. Players feel misled by promises of free upgrades that have turned into costly purchases, and the reliance on multiple expansions and microtransactions has left a sour taste in the community, leading to calls for boycotts against the developers. Overall, the sentiment is that the game's monetization practices prioritize profit over player experience, resulting in a loss of trust among its loyal fanbase.
- “While Ark doesn't employ traditional microtransactions, its reliance on multiple expansion packs and DLCs feels like a thinly veiled cash grab.”
- “I find it great that there are no in-game purchases involved (for now) and odd that this game's addictive even though everything looks basic, which goes to show that the game really lives up to its 'survival' theme.”
- “No microtransactions is nice because those are honestly ruining most online games nowadays, in my opinion.”
- “The fact that Evolved has an integrated Steam Workshop mod manager and Ascended has microtransactions instead genuinely upsets me given how brilliant the original is.”
- “This game has brought me so much joy over the years, but it is being beaten into the ground with Snail Games, the publishers cheating on official servers, and WC doing nothing. Now we will be paying $60 for a new game in August, which isn't that bad with all the additions, but since Snail Games is there, this game will not be that good and probably a cash grab that ruins the game forever.”
- “This is a blatant cash grab from the get-go, and the price should be more reasonably adjusted to help the early access players 'test' this product.”
replayability
508 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The game's replayability is widely praised, with many users highlighting its near-infinite potential due to extensive mod support, diverse maps, and customizable gameplay settings. While some players feel that the base game can become stale without mods, the overall consensus is that the combination of multiplayer options and user-generated content significantly enhances replay value. However, a few reviews note that bugs and optimization issues can detract from the experience, suggesting that while the game offers substantial replayability, it may require adjustments to fully enjoy.
- “Amazing open world with endless replayability!”
- “With its breathtaking world, thrilling gameplay, and endless replayability, this game is a must-play for anyone who enjoys survival and action games.”
- “The sheer volume of content and endless replayability of this game is remarkable.”
- “This game is good but in my opinion you need mods for it to be replayable; thankfully, the makers of Ark and its mods are considerate in making the mods free and allowing mods.”
- “Great game if modded; otherwise, not much replayability.”
- “Without mods, the game is not really replayable.”
emotional
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a significant theme in player reviews, with many expressing deep attachments to their tamed dinosaurs and the heartache that comes from losing them. Players describe a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from joy and satisfaction to frustration and sadness, particularly when faced with unexpected losses or server issues. Overall, the game fosters a strong emotional connection, making it both a rewarding and often heartbreaking experience for players.
- “This game made me feel good, I loved it, and I will never forget it.”
- “The emotional connection that forms between players and their tamed creatures enhances the overall gaming experience, making Ark a truly memorable and personal journey.”
- “This game is an emotional roller coaster that will show you love, hate, and addiction.”
atmosphere
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and the vibrant, prehistoric world it creates. Players appreciate the unique ambiance of different biomes, the tension of survival against dinosaurs, and the overall sense of adventure and exploration. Despite some technical issues and community challenges, the game's atmosphere remains a significant draw, making it a captivating experience for many.
- “The sound design is equally impressive, with ambient noises, dinosaur roars, and immersive music that enhances the game's atmosphere.”
- “The graphics, the atmospheres, the mods... it's just a fun game to play.”
- “The breathtaking visuals, coupled with the dynamic weather and day-night cycles, create an atmosphere so realistic that players can practically feel the sun's warmth or the chilling rain.”
- “The soul and atmosphere were ruined once the second wave of tech stuff came out.”
- “I personally was looking for a survival game, but here even the atmosphere doesn't make you feel like you have to survive or something.. really.. it's not what you would expect if you wanna survive.”
- “The atmosphere in the servers has changed significantly since this time.”
character development
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
70%
9%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating the extensive customization options and the RPG-style progression that allows for meaningful character improvement. However, some find the character designs to be overly silly or unappealing, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game offers a variety of development paths and gameplay styles, there are calls for deeper and more varied character design options to enhance immersion.
- “I love the character development within the game.”
- “The whole idea behind character development, the fact that you can level up and progress to higher crafting techniques and physical strengths, whether it be hunger resistance, physical damage or health, just the customization options are profound and the gameplay is fantastic.”
- “As it gives a feel of character development and improvement that feels very much rewarding.”
- “The character design is hilariously bad.”
- “I'm normally not that worried about such stuff but having the only male character design be an anvil-chinned, hump-backed nightmare man, scurrying aimlessly around on hideous Popeye legs and grunting, just put me off in a fundamental way.”
- “You end up replaying the initial stages of character development over and over.”