ARK: Survival Evolved - Buyer's Guide

Embark on a survival adventure on a mysterious island, tame dinosaurs, and build structures to survive. Criticized for bugs, poor optimization, and server issues. Worth playing despite technical issues.
Fan-art of ARK: Survival Evolved

Embark on a thrilling survival adventure on a mysterious island called ARK, where you’ll scavenge for resources, tame dinosaurs, and build structures to survive the harsh environment. Explore a vast, dynamic ecosystem, craft equipment, and unlock new technologies to dominate the land and escape the island.

Should I play ARK: Survival Evolved in 2024?

The good

ARK: Survival Evolved is widely celebrated for its immersive world, captivating landscapes, and thrilling dinosaur interactions. Fans love the base-building mechanics, taming dinosaurs, and the sheer adventure of surviving in a prehistoric setting. The game offers various ways to play, from PvP to PvE, with many players finding joy in private servers or heavily modded versions of the game. Despite its bugs, the game is often described as addictive and capable of delivering countless hours of entertainment. It’s reminiscent of the joy found in exploring the Dinotopia books, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for fans of dinosaurs and survival games.

The bad

Unfortunately, ARK has had its fair share of issues. Many players have pointed out the poor optimization and buggy nature of the game. The official servers have been switched off, causing frustration among long-time players who feel their progress has been stolen. The game is also plagued by exploits and unfair gameplay, especially on official servers, making it hard for new or solo players to enjoy the full experience. The necessity to potentially repurchase the game due to its re-release also leaves a sour taste.

Verdict

Should you still buy or play this game in 2024? If you’re a lover of dinosaurs, base-building, and grand adventures, ARK: Survival Evolved is a must-play. While the official servers are gone, the game thrives in private servers and through community-driven mods. Despite its flaws and some frustrating experiences, the positive aspects far outweigh the negatives. Dive in, build your dino empire, and don’t forget to have fun! 🦖💎



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In-game Screenshot

Screenshot of ARK: Survival Evolved

Top image is not real in-game screenshots. Fan-art made by Gamer.se. Some game metadata is coming from RAWG