"Ark: Survival Ascended": A Rocky Takeoff with Promising Horizons

The much-awaited “Ark: Survival Ascended” has erupted onto the scene, swiftly clinching a top spot on Steam’s best-selling games list. However, this triumphant debut has been tarnished by a slew of performance issues, leaving players frustrated and the launch mired in controversy.

Studio Wildcard’s latest offering is a reimagined version of the beloved dinosaur-centric survival game, “Ark: Survival Evolved,” crafted with the powerful Unreal Engine 5. “Ark: Survival Ascended” quickly found its place among Steam’s top 100 played games, experiencing a surge in player count. Yet, this initial success has been overshadowed by a ‘mixed’ user review rating, sitting at a concerning 42%.

The bulk of player grievances revolves around glaring performance issues. Players with high-end systems capable of running graphic-intensive titles like “Cyberpunk” and “Red Dead Redemption 2” report experiencing multiple crashes, stutters, and frame rate drops, even on the lowest settings. A representative Steam review encapsulates the community’s disappointment, stating, “We shouldn’t be allowing game studios to release games to the public like this, especially not a remaster.”

In response to the performance debacle, Studio Wildcard has outlined the game’s system requirements, underlining the necessity of an SSD for optimal performance.

MINIMUM:

OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, Nvidia GeForce 1080
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 70 GB available space
Additional Notes: SSD Required

RECOMMENDED:

OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 70 GB available space
Additional Notes: SSD Required

Despite these tumultuous beginnings, it’s worth noting that not all feedback is negative. Some players acknowledge that, even with the performance issues, “Ark: Survival Ascended” represents a significant upgrade, with enhanced graphics, improved mechanics, and additional content.

Looking ahead, Studio Wildcard has announced a delay in the console launch to November, citing “critical issues” in the multiplayer version that could have major repercussions for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S versions. The developers plan to disable crossplay between Steam and consoles until a quicker certification process is implemented, ensuring a smoother console launch.

In conclusion, while “Ark: Survival Ascended” has indeed reached great heights in terms of sales and player count, it’s clear that the journey ahead is steeped in challenges. The gaming community remains on the edge of their seats, hopeful that future updates will address the current performance issues and unlock the full potential of this ambitious remake. Studio Wildcard has a monumental task ahead, but with their track record and the undeniable potential of “Ark: Survival Ascended,” the future looks promising.

Stay tuned to The Jungle Gaming for the latest updates, insights, and in-depth analysis on “Ark: Survival Ascended” and other leading gaming trends.

Brandon Hayes

Brandon Hayes is a seasoned gamer, expertly transitioning between the allure of retro classics and the excitement of modern gaming. With extensive experience in PC gaming, he has honed his skills in FPS and Survival games. Brandon shares his valuable insights, reviews, and professional tips on his blog, helping others to elevate their gaming experience.