ARK: Survival Evolved (2017), is an action-adventure survival game developed by Studio Wildcard. The game is set in a world filled with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, as well as natural hazards and other players, all striving to survive and dominate.
Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, ARK: Survival Evolved is a survival game that blends elements of exploration, crafting, combat, and taming. Players start stranded on an island with no resources and must gather materials to craft tools, build shelters, and eventually tame and ride dinosaurs. The game can be played in both single-player and multiplayer modes, with the latter offering a mix of cooperation and competition.
- Survival and Crafting:
- Resource Gathering: Players must gather resources such as wood, stone, and fiber to craft tools and build structures.
- Crafting System: The crafting system is extensive, allowing players to create everything from simple tools to advanced technology.
- Building: Building shelters is crucial for protection against the elements and dangerous creatures.
- Taming and Riding Dinosaurs:
- Taming Mechanics: Taming dinosaurs involves subduing them and feeding them their preferred food until they become loyal companions.
- Dinosaur Utility: Tamed dinosaurs can be used for various purposes, including transportation, combat, and resource gathering.
- Combat and Defense:
- Weapons and Armor: Players can craft a wide array of weapons and armor to defend themselves from threats.
- Tribal Warfare: In multiplayer, players can form tribes to work together or wage war against other tribes.
The World of ARK
The game’s world is vast and diverse, featuring multiple biomes such as forests, jungles, deserts, and oceans. Each biome has unique challenges and creatures. Additionally, the game includes dynamic weather and a day-night cycle, adding to the immersion and difficulty of survival.
- Creatures: The game boasts a vast array of prehistoric creatures, each with unique behaviors and abilities. From the towering Tyrannosaurus Rex to the nimble Velociraptor, players encounter and interact with over 100 different species.
- Environments: The environment is not just a backdrop but an active participant in the gameplay. Natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes can alter the landscape and present new challenges.
Development and Reception
ARK: Survival Evolved began as an Early Access title in June 2015 and fully released in August 2017. Its development was marked by continuous updates and expansions, including new creatures, biomes, and gameplay mechanics.
- Updates and Expansions: Studio Wildcard has released several expansions, such as Scorched Earth, Aberration, and Extinction, each introducing new areas to explore and new creatures to tame.
- Reception: The game received mixed reviews at launch, with praise for its ambitious scope and criticism for technical issues. However, it has maintained a strong player base and has grown more polished over time.
Community and Modding
The ARK community is vibrant and active, contributing to the game’s longevity through modding and user-generated content. The Steam Workshop hosts thousands of mods that add new creatures, items, and maps, allowing players to customize their experience.
- Modding Support: Official modding support has allowed for extensive customization, leading to a variety of unique gameplay experiences.
- Community Events: Regular community events and challenges keep the player base engaged and add new content regularly.
FAQs
1. What is the primary objective in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Answer: The primary objective in ARK: Survival Evolved is to survive in a prehistoric environment filled with dinosaurs and other ancient creatures. Players must gather resources, build shelters, craft tools, tame and train dinosaurs, and defend themselves from both environmental hazards and other players. The endgame content involves exploring dangerous areas, defeating powerful bosses, and uncovering the lore of the ARK.
2. How do you tame dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Answer: Taming dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved involves knocking them out using tranquilizers or blunt weapons, then feeding them their preferred food (such as berries, meat, or kibble) until they become tame. Different creatures have different taming requirements and preferences. Players must keep the dinosaur unconscious during the taming process, often using narcotics or narcoberries to prevent it from waking up prematurely.
3. Can ARK: Survival Evolved be played solo, or is it mainly for multiplayer?
Answer: ARK: Survival Evolved can be played both solo and in multiplayer mode. In single-player mode, players can explore, build, and tame creatures at their own pace without the threat of other players. Multiplayer mode, however, adds the element of interacting with other players, which can involve forming alliances, engaging in combat, and participating in tribe-based activities. Both modes offer unique experiences and challenges.
4. What are the main types of resources in ARK: Survival Evolved, and how are they used?
Answer: The main types of resources in ARK: Survival Evolved include wood, stone, fiber, thatch, metal, and hide, among others. These resources are used to craft tools, weapons, structures, and various items necessary for survival. For example:
- Wood and Thatch: Used primarily for building structures and crafting basic tools.
- Stone and Metal: Used for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and stronger structures.
- Fiber and Hide: Used for crafting clothing, armor, and other essential items.
5. What expansions and DLCs are available for ARK: Survival Evolved?
Answer: ARK: Survival Evolved has several expansions and DLCs that expand the game world and introduce new creatures, biomes, and challenges. Some of the notable expansions include:
- Scorched Earth: Introduces a desert environment with new creatures like the Wyvern and new challenges such as sandstorms.
- Aberration: Features a subterranean biome with bioluminescent plants and new creatures like the Rock Drake.
- Extinction: Adds an urban, post-apocalyptic environment with new threats and creatures like the Titans.
- Genesis Part 1 and Part 2: Provides a mission-based structure with new biomes and creatures, including space exploration elements.
Conclusion
ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) is a game that has grown and evolved significantly since its initial release. It offers a unique blend of survival, exploration, and
taming mechanics that set it apart from other games in the genre. Despite its initial technical shortcomings, ARK has managed to cultivate a dedicated community and remains a popular choice for players looking to immerse themselves in a prehistoric world teeming with adventure and danger.