ATLAS
- December 22, 2018
- Instinct Games
- 23h median play time
ATLAS: The ultimate survival MMO of unprecedented scale with 40,000+ simultaneous players in the same world. Join an endless adventure of piracy & sailing, exploration & combat, roleplaying & progression, settlement & civilization-building, in one of the largest game worlds ever! Explore, Build, Conquer! A massively multiplayer first-and-third-person fantasy pirate adventure. ATLAS will host up t…
Reviews
- gameplay1,752 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Atlas has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its similarities to Ark: Survival Evolved, including shared mechanics and UI elements. While some appreciate the shipbuilding and sailing mechanics, others criticize the game for its numerous bugs, lag issues, and frustrating survival mechanics, such as the vitamin system. Overall, players find the game has potential but is currently hindered by technical problems and unbalanced gameplay, making it a challenging experience, especially for solo players.
“The gameplay in Atlas is very similar to Ark with a lot of major bonuses.”
“With its vast open world environment, advanced sailing mechanics, and engaging gameplay, it has been popular among players looking for a challenging and rewarding online multiplayer experience.”
“The ship mechanics are really nice.”
“Ultimately, most of the core mechanics barely work.”
“The game has now gone down the trash can with bloated updates filled with flair and gameplay ruining content.”
“Bugs that have persisted for years, it'll crash often, even on medium settings you'll lag badly because of stuff rendering in the distance, clipping through the seabed in shallow areas, NPCs refuse to go to their stations, commands while on the ship don't work unless you're staring straight at your crew which isn't helpful when you have to sail.”
- stability1,215 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many reviews highlight that while the game has potential and can be enjoyable, its current state is plagued by performance issues, making it frustrating and often unplayable, especially on official servers. Despite some players finding fun in the game, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a buggy mess, particularly for those expecting a polished experience.
“When it's not buggy, it runs very smooth and plays very well.”
“There's a lot to do, it's more or less bug free and it runs perfectly on my PC.”
“Game runs great with some bugs that the devs are working hard to fix with patches almost on the daily.”
“This game is a buggy nightmare still after 4-5 years of early access development.”
“The game is buggy as hell in the sea, especially when the magical cyclone comes and follows my boat around everywhere I go and wipes out my boat within seconds.”
“The game is a buggy mess and feels like two or three games jammed into one with disjointed mechanics all over the place... but it's strangely addictive and can be satisfying, as repetitive and frustrating as it is.”
- optimization864 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 32 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, lag, and frequent crashes, even on high-end systems. Many reviews highlight that the game feels unpolished and unoptimized, often comparing it unfavorably to its predecessor, Ark: Survival Evolved. Despite some improvements over time, the consensus is that significant optimization work is still needed to enhance the overall gameplay experience.
“After 5 years, it still feels like a beta version, with too many bugs and unoptimized graphics.”
“If this game had better optimization, hitboxes, and did not glitch so much, it could be a great experience.”
“Performance is terrible and not even a little optimized.”
“The game's performance has been a source of frustration for many players, with bugs, glitches, and optimization issues hampering the overall experience.”
“This game is a joke... try to imagine an even worse optimized game than ark at launch, and then add unplayable official servers, and then the many release date delays, and then the many lies about the gameplay itself.”
- graphics772 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Atlas" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the game can look stunning at high settings, it often suffers from poor optimization and significant performance issues, leading to low frame rates even on high-end systems. Critics frequently compare its visuals unfavorably to "Ark: Survival Evolved," describing them as dated or glitchy, and some players report that the game runs poorly regardless of the graphics settings used. Overall, while there are moments of beauty, particularly in ocean graphics, the game's graphical performance is a significant point of contention among users.
“Beautiful graphics with the right settings, varied and flexible ship building and sailing mechanics, tons of things to build allowing you to make an entire rudimentary civilization, decent amount of creatures/enemies, and an absolutely massive map with well designed islands.”
“The graphics are amazing and while on the ship you can almost close your eyes and feel the salty sea air hit your face.”
“The graphics are stunning in high and ultra.”
“Graphics are terrible... could not ignore on 3090ti.”
“The graphics are the same and everything now is just too easy.”
“The graphics look like they were meant to be played on a PlayStation 1, the creatures look like they were ripped straight from a store.”
- grinding669 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a major point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. Players report spending countless hours gathering resources to build ships and bases, only to lose their hard work due to bugs, server issues, or aggressive NPCs. While some enjoy the grind as part of the survival experience, others find it frustrating, especially in solo play, leading to a recommendation for group play to mitigate the grind's impact.
“I had my ship destroyed every time I got off, but the process of building a ship is fun and not very grindy.”
“The game is not really grindy per se (it's comparable to Ark, but there is a much bigger variety in resources to gather), but it just seems clunkier than Ark (the constant comparisons are inevitable with a re-skin) and much less tense/exciting.”
“Not sure how this game is even legal to publish. On single-player, the game will crash every time you quit on the main map, but due to immense bugs and balance problems, there are barely any servers with people online. Even then, the official settings are made so grindy that when you do make a decent ship and inevitably lose it from bugs, it's tens of hours of work gone.”
“You will spend hours grinding for materials to build a ship just to watch it sink within seconds of trying to launch it from a dock.”
“After grinding for a boat, it sunk by a freaking sperm whale in less than 5 minutes.”
- story321 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many players noting that it feels more like a sandbox experience than a narrative-driven adventure. While there are some quests and activities, they often lack meaningful context or structure, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience. Overall, players express a desire for a more robust storyline and quest system to enhance the game's potential.
“While there is a sandbox-hobby element to the game, there are also numerous quests that players can embark on for those who enjoy the thrill of fighting crazy beasts, engaging enemy ships, or discovering new and uncharted landscapes, all while trying to stay alive.”
“The game is not the horror story presented by most reviews here; I feel most are based off of expectations of a game at full release.”
“The story is amazing, almost got me crying at the end when you-know-who dies!”
“The condition of the game now and the developers who completely abandoned it makes for a very sad story.”
“There isn't a huge emphasis on story (from what I've found) and it can get repetitive quickly.”
“Story-wise, Atlas has no more storyline than Ark honestly does, maybe even less so.”
- monetization185 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many users expressing disappointment over its unfinished state and deceptive advertising. Reviewers frequently describe it as a poorly executed reskin of an existing game, primarily aimed at extracting money from players without delivering a quality experience or adequate support. Overall, the sentiment is that the developers prioritize profit over genuine game development, leading to a lack of trust and dissatisfaction among the player base.
“It almost begs for microtransactions.”
“So in the event it does go free-to-play, it has all the necessary little quirks to support microtransactions, pay-to-skip schemes, and buy-more-energy/time mechanics.”
“And there are no microtransactions :)”
“They really did this as a cash grab with zero care for the long run.”
“This game is just one more cash grab designed by developers who are selling you nothing except the idea that 'the people who made Ark made it.'”
“The early access release of the game was horrible from timing, technical issues, targeting the wrong market for advertising, not supporting Ark content creators, and limited unofficial, solo, and small server access to the game.”
- music145 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising the main menu and loading screen music as standout features, often describing it as epic and engaging. However, there are significant complaints about the in-game music being repetitive, overly loud, and poorly optimized, leading to issues like stuttering and sound cutting in and out. Overall, while some players appreciate the pirate-themed soundtrack, others find it lacking and distracting, particularly in gameplay scenarios.
“The soundtrack is outstanding; it really does give off that epic pirate adventure vibe.”
“The music and environment are engaging.”
“The music really captures my mood at all times and the graphics are far superior to most survival games that I have seen.”
“The sound and music offer nothing special and does not deserve any special attention.”
“Horribly optimized, crashes, music cuts in / out.”
“Lagging hard, clunky UI, clunky controls, overly loud music!”
- humor122 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, which players find amusing rather than frustrating, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews highlight the game's chaotic mechanics, such as ships behaving erratically and characters experiencing janky animations, leading to hilarious moments that often overshadow the game's shortcomings. Overall, while the game has significant issues, its comedic potential makes it a source of entertainment, particularly in multiplayer settings.
“The first time I was told by other people in the community that this is a game mechanic, I could not stop laughing at how bad it was.”
“The bugs that exist are hilarious and not game breaking.”
“From creatures defying gravity to ships mysteriously turning into submarines, it's a hilarious parade of chaos and confusion.”
“Don't waste your money... what they advertised is now so far from what they provide it's not funny anymore.”
“They have utterly screwed this game up so bad it's not funny.”
“This game is so broken it's not funny.”
- replayability38 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players find it has potential for extensive playtime due to its open-ended nature and player interactions, many express frustration with repetitive mechanics and frequent wipes that diminish long-term engagement. Recent updates have improved playability, but issues like bugs and server performance still hinder the experience for some. Overall, the game shows promise for replayability, especially for those willing to endure its current state.
“Overall, this is an awesome game with endless replay value, especially for 26 bucks!”
“Replay value: it's a game you could play for thousands of hours potentially, as it has no actual story; each bit of story comes from your interaction with other players and what you choose to do within the world of Atlas.”
“This game has an immense amount of depth and replayability.”
“Direction and their obsession with keeping it in game preview and wiping it over and over for years is really a downside to the game's replay value; it died out ages ago. It's more of an annoyance to have to redo the same thing over and over rather than build and maintain your kingdom.”
“Freshness and replayability: the only reason to replay is after a wipe to get back to where you were or if you lost your save. I honestly did not touch this game for years and tried again on a whim.”
“Tread lightly, collector; this one has minimal replay value if you hate tedious decay mechanics and 'chop till you drop' grinding for components.”
- emotional23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing deep sadness and frustration due to gameplay issues and character creation challenges, while others find joy and a sense of accomplishment in building and sailing their ships. Many reviews highlight the potential for emotional investment, as players feel a strong connection to their creations and experiences, but caution against the game's current state, which may lead to disappointment and distress. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, with some feeling heartbroken over losses and others embracing the journey despite its flaws.
“This game made me feel sad when I played it, and I don't recommend anyone to play this game because you will become depressed like I am :(”
“Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
“As such, your ship will be a labor of love, an emotional vessel made from the hopes and dreams of everyone who partakes in building it.”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and realistic depiction of a pirate-themed world, featuring beautiful oceans and detailed islands that enhance the seafaring experience. However, some players have noted inconsistencies, with certain aspects feeling lifeless or plagued by technical issues, detracting from the overall immersion. Despite these criticisms, many still find the atmosphere engaging and enjoyable, contributing to the game's appeal.
“The atmosphere of the game is amazing; they nailed the theme of pirates out on the high seas.”
“Beautiful oceans, awe-inspiring atmosphere, and detailed islands.”
“Incredible oceanic atmosphere, very immersive and realistic with extensive on-land and deep-sea exploration.”
“The video gives a crazy atmosphere, while in the game the atmosphere is dead.”
“Outside of that was probably 20 minutes running around starting islands, lagging so badly that mobs would desync across the map and fly into the atmosphere.”
“The developers seem content to allow a toxic racist atmosphere.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and variety, featuring a well-implemented skill tree and enhanced character design options. The addition of new functionalities, such as shipbuilding and cooking, further enriches the overall experience, making character progression feel rewarding and engaging.
“The skill tree and character development are well done.”
“They made a whole new shipbuilding functionality, added new animals, changed the character design possibilities, and added new items.”
“I mean, as far as crafting depth, sailing, skill trees, character development, cooking... heck, everything.”
“I mean, as far as crafting depth, sailing, skill trees, character development, cooking... heck, everything feels shallow.”
“The visuals, character design, and UI are very similar in a lot of ways, but they lack innovation and depth.”
“The skill tree and character development are poorly implemented and do not offer meaningful choices.”