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Lost Ark

Lost Ark is literally great enough to re-ignite my passion for MMORPGs after 15 years.
Lost Ark Game Cover
72%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, monetization
67% User Score Based on 104,712 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 7 reviews

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About

Lost Ark is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Smilegate RPG and was released on February 11, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Lost Ark" is a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online action role-playing game featuring a rich, immersive world with stunning graphics and explosive combat. Set in a sprawling, ancient realm, players embark on an epic quest to discover the true meaning of the Lost Ark and save the world from destructive forces. With a vast array of customizable characters, weapons, and abilities, players can form alliances, engage in PvP battles, and explore numerous dungeons and raids.

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Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
Lost Ark screenshot
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67%
Audience ScoreBased on 104,712 reviews
story4.7k positive mentions
grinding4.7k negative mentions
  • The gameplay is engaging and dynamic, with a variety of classes to choose from, each with their own unique playstyle.
  • The graphics are stunning, with detailed character models and environments that enhance the immersive experience.
  • The music is outstanding, with a sweeping orchestral soundtrack that complements the emotional depth of the story and the epic scale of battles.
  • The story is often criticized for being tedious and generic, filled with repetitive fetch quests and uninspired dialogue.
  • The monetization model is seen as overly aggressive and predatory, heavily emphasizing microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics.
  • The game suffers from significant performance issues, including stuttering, long loading times, and crashes, even on high-end systems.
  • story
    17,824 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Lost Ark" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a tedious and generic experience filled with repetitive fetch quests and uninspired dialogue. While some appreciate the engaging cutscenes and character development, others criticize the pacing and the overwhelming amount of quests that often feel like busywork rather than meaningful content. Overall, the narrative is seen as a backdrop to the gameplay, with many players opting to skip through dialogue to focus on combat and progression.

    • “The story has really grabbed me even if it's the classic 'hero chosen by destiny' thing; everything built around that idea is amazing.”
    • “Game has made me cry a couple of times; the characters are so endearing, and for being a fantasy MMO, the storyline is incredibly solid.”
    • “The story is very interesting and very long; you'll need dozens of hours to complete the main quest, featuring one of the best antagonists ever created in a game: Kharmine.”
    • “The story is not original and I find myself resisting the urge to just skip it and move on.”
    • “The story is incredibly boring: repeat this for every continent and you have the main storyline with a few dungeons in between.”
    • “The story is riddled with plot holes and pointless characters, you're bombarded with free crap you won't need for a good minute, not given nearly enough info in the tutorial to effectively play well.”
  • gameplay
    9,447 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Lost Ark" is often praised for its engaging combat mechanics, diverse classes, and visually stunning graphics, providing a satisfying experience for players who enjoy action-oriented gameplay. However, many reviews highlight significant issues, including a heavy reliance on pay-to-win mechanics, repetitive grinding, and punishing raid wipe mechanics that can lead to a toxic community atmosphere. While the core gameplay is enjoyable, the overall experience is marred by frustrating progression systems and a lack of support for new players, making it a mixed bag for potential newcomers.

    • “The gameplay is fantastic and the combat is really what will hook you in.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and dynamic, with a variety of classes to choose from, each with their own unique playstyle.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and satisfying, enemies gib all over the place and even support classes like the bard are fun to play.”
    • “The old raid is meaningless; the gameplay feels pointless.”
    • “Satisfying combat ruined by a boring endgame gameplay loop.”
    • “The gameplay is grindy, relies on RNG, has pay-to-win elements, offers a poor endgame experience, and feels like playing a second job.”
  • graphics
    5,091 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Lost Ark" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and detailed character designs, often described as breathtaking and comparable to high-budget fantasy films. Players appreciate the vibrant art style, impressive spell effects, and the overall aesthetic appeal of the game, which enhances the immersive experience. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are visually appealing, they can sometimes feel dated or inconsistent, particularly in certain cutscenes and character animations.

    • “The graphics are amazing, and there's always something to do.”
    • “Lost Ark is an MMORPG that manages to strike a fantastic balance between stunning visuals, satisfying combat, and deep progression systems.”
    • “The game boasts impressive visuals, with detailed character models and environments.”
    • “The graphics are also terrible.”
    • “Horrible publisher, outdated graphics, p2w galore.”
    • “The graphics are unreal engine 3 and pretty terrible.”
  • grinding
    4,796 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Lost Ark" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the endgame. While some enjoy the grind as a core part of the MMO experience, others find it frustrating due to the reliance on RNG for gear upgrades and the necessity of managing multiple characters to progress effectively. The game's monetization model, which allows players to pay to skip grinding, has also drawn criticism, leading to perceptions of it being pay-to-win. Overall, the grind is a significant part of the gameplay loop, and players' enjoyment largely depends on their tolerance for repetitive tasks and time investment.

    • “This game is not grindy whatsoever; in fact, in many ways, it's the exact opposite.”
    • “The quests are not tedious and carry the storyline well without a lot of fuss.”
    • “Combat is super fun, the game is incredible visually, not too grindy or boring, and the pacing on the leveling scene is just right.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game requires a huge amount of grinding and relies on a lot of RNG (which is especially painful when upgrading stuff), which is why I do not recommend it.”
    • “The monetization is the final humiliation: your 400 hours of grinding for an upgrade, thinking it was all worth it for that +1 honing success only to instantly fail and having all your gold evaporate when one bored banker by swiping his Amex on a lunch break gets his cartoon sword shinier than you.”
    • “The game is a grindy, boring cash grab.”
  • monetization
    1,040 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of Lost Ark has drawn significant criticism for being overly aggressive and predatory, with many players describing it as a "cash grab" that heavily emphasizes microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics. While some players find the game enjoyable without spending money, the reliance on in-game purchases for progression and convenience creates a frustrating experience, particularly for free-to-play users. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as a major detractor from the game's potential, overshadowing its otherwise engaging gameplay and content.

    • “The monetization gives paying players some convenience, but free-to-play is completely viable, and you can enjoy all the content without spending money.”
    • “While the core gameplay is enjoyable, the reliance on microtransactions for faster progression and better rewards can be frustrating for free-to-play players.”
    • “Despite its grind and monetization mechanics, Lost Ark remains one of the most enjoyable MMORPGs out there.”
    • “The grind is endless, the systems pile on top of each other, and the monetization pressure becomes exhausting.”
    • “I've played some pay-to-win/pay-to-skip games before to kill a few hours, but this game is completely built around it... it feels like they had the monetization plan first and then built a game around it.”
    • “The monetization is the final humiliation: your 400 hours of grinding for an upgrade, thinking it was all worth it for that +1 honing success only to instantly fail and having all your gold evaporate when one bored banker by swiping his Amex on a lunch break gets his cartoon sword shinier than you.”
  • music
    877 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Lost Ark" has received widespread acclaim for its high quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience, with many players praising the orchestral soundtracks that complement various environments and combat scenarios. While some users noted issues with the music being too loud or repetitive, the overall sentiment highlights the soundtrack's emotional depth and immersive qualities, particularly during boss fights and cinematic moments. However, a few players found the music forgettable or generic, suggesting that while it contributes positively to the atmosphere, it may not always leave a lasting impression.

    • “The sound design complements the visuals perfectly, with a sweeping orchestral soundtrack that underscores the epic nature of the player's journey.”
    • “The music is outstanding, and the content of the game is extremely fun.”
    • “The soundtrack accentuates the emotional depth of the story and the epic scale of battles, enhancing the overall immersion.”
    • “Music is too loud by default, with no way to turn it down.”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
    • “The music is so terrible that your ears are going to bleed even from the login screen.”
  • optimization
    534 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, long loading times, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users note that the game runs smoothly under certain conditions, the overall consensus is that it suffers from poor optimization, particularly in densely populated areas and during intense gameplay scenarios. Additionally, the outdated engine and anti-cheat system are frequently cited as contributing factors to the game's performance problems.

    • “The game runs smoothly at all times even in intense scenes like world bosses with dozens of players spamming their spells.”
    • “The game is well-optimized, ensuring that even large-scale battles and detailed environments do not cause significant performance issues.”
    • “Greatly optimized with 0 frame drops after nuking 40 mobs on screen, 15 ping on NA East (from NJ) loads of content that doesn't overwhelm you and gets introduced to you at a steady pace.”
    • “The game is so horribly optimized it's bad for the environment.”
    • “Literally unplayable, amazingly this game is even more poorly optimized years later than it was during early access.”
    • “The game has stuttering issues, which probably originate from Unreal Engine.”
  • humor
    436 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it unintentionally funny due to poor translations, absurd gameplay mechanics, and the often ridiculous nature of quests and NPC interactions. While some appreciate the comedic elements woven into the storyline and character designs, others criticize the game for lacking genuine humor and relying on frustrating mechanics that lead to humorous situations. Overall, the game's humor seems to stem more from its flaws and the community's reactions than from intentional comedic writing.

    • “It’s hilariously off-sync, but somehow adds to the charm.”
    • “The classes are fun, the story is actually hilarious at some points (romantic weapon, anyone?), the music is awesome, the visuals are great, sailing and exploring was a blast.”
    • “The voice acting doesn't match the subtitles most of the time, which is hilarious.”
    • “It's not funny at all.”
    • “This is an unfunny joke.”
    • “It's like the reverse of the old kung-fu movies but not funny.”
  • stability
    302 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and server connectivity issues. While some users experience smooth gameplay with minimal bugs, the overall consensus highlights a frustratingly buggy experience, particularly during launch and peak times, leading to extensive troubleshooting and long wait times. Many recommend avoiding the game until these stability issues are addressed.

    • “No glitches, this game brought me back to PC gaming.”
    • “Bug free and polished.”
    • “Best game I've played in years and years, so much fun, no bugs, no drama, runs great, everything about it is great.”
    • “Would never recommend anyone plays it either, it just freezes my computer for 15 minutes then fails to launch.”
    • “The game dislikes most modern PCs and new graphic cards, and often it freezes your whole computer, forcing you to turn it off from the power switch.”
    • “After 2-3 hours of troubleshooting, I could never get the game to load.”
  • emotional
    276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some expressing deep emotional connections to characters and moments that made them cry, while others criticize the overall storyline as boring and uninspired. Many players feel that the game can be emotionally taxing due to its grindy mechanics and pay-to-win elements, leading to frustration and regret over time spent. Despite the emotional highs, the repetitive and tedious nature of the quests often detracts from the potential for a more engaging narrative experience.

    • “The emotional rollercoaster you experience is nothing short of captivating, from the humble beginnings of an aspiring hero to facing insurmountable odds against malevolent forces.”
    • “The haunting melodies and uplifting orchestrations touch the soul, elevating the emotional impact of every moment.”
    • “I absolutely love this game already; the story had me on the edge of my gaming chair, even shedding a tear a couple of times.”
    • “Lost Ark is the legitimate owner of one terrible, god-awful, long, tedious, and boring story with quite a lot of cringe moments. It doesn't feel like a game made by or for adults; it feels very infantile, with a lot of social discrepancies and ineptitude, which can be disturbing in a really bad way. It lacks a significant amount of aptitude; it's infantile, inept, and flaccid, and very poorly written.”
    • “The leveling process feels dull; you pretty much spam the 'G' key constantly to get through the boring story. I only played 30 levels, but they felt awful, more like a mobile game than a PC game.”
    • “You get railroaded through a very boring story with very forgettable characters. The game is designed so that you won't start its true content until 20 hours of boring story quests, which feel like a walking and clicking simulator.”
  • character development
    199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning graphics and intricate character designs, while others criticize the oversexualization and lack of depth in character progression. Players appreciate the variety of customization options and the potential for character growth through quests, but some feel that the overall storytelling and character arcs are shallow or uninspired. Despite the visual appeal, there are concerns about the game's reliance on familiar tropes and the impact of monetization on the character development experience.

    • “The character development throughout the story is stale and I wasn't even compelled to finish the story.”
    • “There is nice character development for the main characters through the main story and a lot more to expand if you dive into subquests.”
    • “The story and character development at this point is admittedly bland, but it picks up a little in Yudia.”
    • “Character development is as artificial as it gets; challenges are practically non-existent, so you'll never need to actually do much.”
    • “The character development throughout the story is stale, and I wasn't even compelled to finish the story.”
    • “Overall, I think Lost Ark is a lot of flash and bang but lacks quality development on what matters, like writing, skill balancing, UI, and character development.”
  • atmosphere
    117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Lost Ark is often praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and rich environmental storytelling, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its diverse world. However, some players express frustration with the toxic community dynamics and the pressure to perform perfectly, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. While many appreciate the game's artistic design and atmospheric music, others find the atmosphere lacking in depth and engagement, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.

    • “Lost Ark is a reminder of how magical games can be when gameplay, story, and atmosphere come together.”
    • “The game's stunning art style and attention to detail make every corner a pleasure to discover, inviting players to immerse themselves in the rich lore and atmospheric environments.”
    • “The music in Lost Ark is really, really good; it creates a unique atmosphere that makes you feel like you're on a real adventure and much, much more!”
    • “As time went on, the atmosphere became increasingly toxic, making it harder to enjoy the game or simply play at your own pace.”
    • “The atmosphere is very weak.”
    • “The world and the overall atmosphere is just bland and not interesting in my opinion.”
  • replayability
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its extensive skill system and diverse character builds that encourage experimentation, while others criticize the limited endgame content and repetitive dungeons that can lead to boredom. Many agree that while there is potential for high replay value, particularly in multiplayer settings, the reliance on RNG and locked content can diminish the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a variety of replayable elements, but its long-term appeal may vary significantly among players.

    • “This system adds depth and replayability, as players can experiment with different builds and strategies.”
    • “The skill system is extensive, allowing players to customize their characters with different abilities and playstyles, adding depth and replayability to the game.”
    • “Incredible bosses, a gear grind that feels (mostly) fun, and enough classes to lend themselves to endless replayability.”
    • “Great game but gets boring fast and has no replay value; the end game is a joke.”
    • “The few dungeons and raids you can play are locked out for the week, providing only a small amount of replayability without any RNG rewards.”
    • “The replay value of the instanced content is very limited, and there is no content beyond the instances.”
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78%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews
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34h Median play time
207h Average play time
10-150h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1,124 analyzed playthroughs
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Lost Ark is Getting a New Balance Update, Progression Event, and a Battle With Kazeros to End Part 1 of the Story

February 16 on mmorpg.com

This Lost Ark skin turns your warrior into a stereotypical gamer, complete with Mountain Dew gut and a pair of slides

February 11 on pcgamer.com

New Lost Ark update adds a class that's got my Final Fantasy senses tingling, but it's the cutbacks to the grind I'm most excited for

February 4 on pcgamesn.com

Lost Ark Celebrates Fourth Anniversary, Adds Guardianknight, and Extensively Revamps Gear Progression

February 4 on mmorpg.com

Before Lost Ark Unleashes the Guardianknight, Learn More About How the Team Designed the Powerful New Class

February 2 on mmorpg.com

Lost Ark Reveals More Details About Guardian's Rage Update, Coming Next Week

January 28 on mmorpg.com

Lost Ark Restructuring Dailies and Rewards in February, and the Dragonknight is Renamed the Guardianknight

January 23 on mmorpg.com

Lost Ark Adds Thaemine Extreme Event Raid, New Lore-Based Collectible, and Brings Back Guardian's Call

January 14 on mmorpg.com
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Lost Ark is a hack and slash game with fantasy theme.

Lost Ark is available on PC, Windows and Cloud.

On average players spend around 207 hours playing Lost Ark.

Lost Ark was released on February 11, 2022.

Lost Ark was developed by Smilegate RPG.

Lost Ark has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Lost Ark is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Vindictus, Black Desert, Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, Bless Unleashed, New World and others.