Ark Survival Evolved Vs Ascended: Which Should You Buy?

by Jhon Lennon 56 views

So, you're pondering whether to dive into the wild world of Ark: Survival Evolved or its shiny new successor, Ark: Survival Ascended? It's a dino-sized decision, and this guide is here to help you make the right call. We'll break down the key differences, weigh the pros and cons, and ultimately, help you figure out which Ark experience is the best fit for you. Whether you're a seasoned survivor or a fresh-faced newbie, understanding the nuances between these two games is crucial before you embark on your prehistoric adventure. So, buckle up, grab your spear, and let's dive in!

What is Ark: Survival Evolved?

Ark: Survival Evolved is the OG dinosaur survival game that took the world by storm. Launched in 2015, it throws you naked and afraid onto a mysterious island teeming with prehistoric creatures. Your mission? Survive. This involves punching trees, crafting tools, building shelters, taming dinosaurs, and ultimately, unraveling the secrets of the Ark. Ark: Survival Evolved is known for its vast open world, its incredibly diverse ecosystem, and its challenging but rewarding gameplay loop. You start from absolutely nothing and slowly build yourself into a powerful survivor, capable of taking on the biggest threats the island has to offer. One of the most appealing aspects of Ark: Survival Evolved is the sense of progression. Initially, just surviving the night is a major accomplishment. But as you level up, learn new engrams (recipes), and tame increasingly powerful creatures, you'll find yourself dominating the landscape. You'll go from fearing the dilophosaurus to hunting them for sport. The game also features a surprisingly deep lore, with hidden artifacts and cryptic messages scattered throughout the world that hint at the Ark's true purpose. Exploring these mysteries adds another layer of depth to the survival experience. Plus, the modding community for Ark: Survival Evolved is massive, adding countless new creatures, items, maps, and gameplay tweaks to keep the game fresh and exciting. Whether you want to play a Star Wars-themed Ark or one filled with mythical creatures, there's a mod out there for you. This level of customization is a huge part of why Ark: Survival Evolved has remained so popular for so long.

What is Ark: Survival Ascended?

Ark: Survival Ascended is essentially a ground-up remake of Ark: Survival Evolved using Unreal Engine 5. This means a massive visual overhaul, with stunningly realistic environments, incredibly detailed creatures, and improved performance. But it's not just a pretty face. Ark: Survival Ascended also introduces a number of gameplay enhancements, quality-of-life improvements, and new content. Think of it as Ark: Survival Evolved but with a fresh coat of paint and a bunch of exciting new features. The move to Unreal Engine 5 is the biggest selling point. The difference in visual fidelity is truly remarkable. The lighting is more dynamic, the textures are sharper, and the overall level of detail is significantly higher. This makes the world of Ark feel more immersive and alive than ever before. But the improvements aren't just cosmetic. Ark: Survival Ascended also boasts improved physics, better AI for the creatures, and more robust building mechanics. These changes add up to a more polished and refined gameplay experience. In addition to the visual and technical upgrades, Ark: Survival Ascended also includes all of the previously released DLC maps from Ark: Survival Evolved. This means you'll have access to a huge amount of content right from the start. And, like Ark: Survival Evolved, Ark: Survival Ascended supports mods, allowing players to further customize their experience and add even more content to the game. The developers have also promised to actively support the modding community, making it easier than ever for creators to share their work with the world. This ensures that Ark: Survival Ascended will continue to evolve and expand long after its initial release.

Key Differences

Okay, let's break down the most important distinctions between Ark: Survival Evolved and Ark: Survival Ascended in a clear and concise way. This will help you quickly understand what sets these two games apart.

  • Graphics Engine: This is the big one. Ark: Survival Evolved runs on Unreal Engine 4, while Ark: Survival Ascended utilizes the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5. This translates to a massive difference in visual fidelity, with Ascended boasting significantly improved graphics, lighting, and textures.
  • Performance: While Ark: Survival Ascended aims to improve performance, running on Unreal Engine 5 can be demanding. Ark: Survival Evolved might run smoother on lower-end hardware, but Ascended offers the potential for better optimized performance in the long run.
  • Content: Ark: Survival Ascended includes all the DLC maps from Ark: Survival Evolved, providing a complete package from the start. However, Ark: Survival Evolved has years of modding content built up, offering a wider variety of player-created experiences.
  • Gameplay Enhancements: Ark: Survival Ascended introduces a number of gameplay improvements, such as updated building mechanics, better creature AI, and quality-of-life features. These enhancements aim to provide a more polished and enjoyable experience.
  • Price: Ark: Survival Ascended is a new release and typically comes with a higher price tag than Ark: Survival Evolved, which is often available at a discounted price.
  • Modding: Both games support modding, but Ark: Survival Ascended aims to provide better support and integration for mod creators, making it easier to discover and install mods.

Pros and Cons

To further assist your decision-making process, let's weigh the pros and cons of each game:

Ark: Survival Evolved

Pros:

  • Lower Price: Ark: Survival Evolved is significantly cheaper, making it a more accessible option for budget-conscious gamers.
  • Extensive Modding Community: Years of modding have resulted in a massive library of player-created content, offering endless possibilities for customization.
  • Lower Hardware Requirements: Ark: Survival Evolved can run on less powerful hardware, making it a viable option for those with older PCs.

Cons:

  • Outdated Graphics: The graphics are showing their age and don't compare to the visual fidelity of Ark: Survival Ascended.
  • Performance Issues: Even on high-end hardware, Ark: Survival Evolved can suffer from performance issues, such as lag and frame rate drops.
  • Lack of Gameplay Enhancements: Ark: Survival Evolved lacks the quality-of-life improvements and gameplay enhancements found in Ark: Survival Ascended.

Ark: Survival Ascended

Pros:

  • Stunning Graphics: The Unreal Engine 5 visuals are a major upgrade, creating a more immersive and visually appealing experience.
  • Gameplay Enhancements: Improved building mechanics, creature AI, and quality-of-life features enhance the overall gameplay experience.
  • Complete Content Package: Includes all DLC maps from Ark: Survival Evolved, providing a vast amount of content from the start.

Cons:

  • Higher Price: Ark: Survival Ascended comes with a premium price tag, making it a more expensive option.
  • Demanding Hardware Requirements: Running on Unreal Engine 5 requires more powerful hardware, potentially limiting accessibility.
  • Smaller Modding Community (Initially): While modding is supported, the modding community is still growing, meaning less content is available compared to Ark: Survival Evolved.

Which Should You Buy?

Alright, guys, time for the big question: which Ark should you actually buy? Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

  • If you're on a budget: Ark: Survival Evolved is the clear winner. It's significantly cheaper and often goes on sale. You'll still get a ton of content and can explore the vast world of Ark without breaking the bank.
  • If you want the best graphics: Ark: Survival Ascended is the only choice. The Unreal Engine 5 visuals are a game-changer and create a truly immersive experience. If you have the hardware to run it, you won't be disappointed.
  • If you want the most content right now: This one's a bit trickier. Ark: Survival Ascended includes all the DLC maps, giving you a complete package from the start. However, Ark: Survival Evolved has years of modding content built up, offering a wider variety of player-created experiences. If you're willing to dive into the world of mods, Ark: Survival Evolved might offer more overall content right now. However, Ark: Survival Ascended's modding community is growing rapidly, so this might change in the future.
  • If you want the most polished gameplay: Ark: Survival Ascended is the way to go. The gameplay enhancements, quality-of-life improvements, and updated mechanics make for a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
  • If you have older hardware: Ark: Survival Evolved is the safer bet. It can run on less powerful hardware, while Ark: Survival Ascended requires a more beefy PC.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and priorities. Consider your budget, your hardware, and what you're looking for in an Ark experience. No matter which game you choose, you're in for a wild ride!