Why I’m Obsessed with My Latest Survival Game
I’ve always loved games and love me some survival games and dinosaurs, so playing Ark: Survival Ascended is heavenly. It's one of the games that’s completely taken over my free time and I find myself talking about it and random times. It’s a world where you can truly do anything and make the experience your own. And while the ultimate goal might be to survive, collect artefacts, and face off against terrifying bosses (I have not yet, do not judge me), what keeps me hooked is the freedom to choose my own path and live out so many different types of adventures.
A Survival Game, But So Much More
ARK is about survival, it's in the name. You wake up on a mysterious island filled with dinosaurs, armed with nothing but your naked self and you’re left to fend for yourself. You have to gather resources, build shelter, hunt for meat, gather berries, and stay alive in a world that’s constantly trying to kill you... constantly.
One of my favourite things to do is build. Sometimes I get so absorbed, I'm in build mode of in The Sims, crafting the perfect home base. I opt for the stone foundation and walls on the lower level and then thatch walls on the upper levels for some texture and carefully place the windows and doors for function and aesthetics, all so I can just run around in it pointlessly. And no mods either, I spend hours gathering materials, carefully laying out walls and floors, and decorating my space. It’s so satisfying to transform a random patch of land into a cosy, complex structure in the middle of a dinosaur infested wilderness... Until a herd of Ceratosaurus's decide that they destroying everything, including my Dodo's! You should have seen it, it was heart breaking.
Catching Dinosaurs… With a Twist
I know Cryo's aren't PokéBalls, but as I grew up playing Pokémon, I feel like I am catching Pokemon when I am taming them and then Cryo'ing the tames to get them home safe. And you know I am going to try to catch 'em all! The game is filled with dinosaurs and animals, each species has their own unique abilities, that benefits the game Every time I see a new dinosaur, I need to capture it and add it to my collection, like I’m filling out a prehistoric Pokédex.
I don't know if it's just me but I feel cryopods are like futuristic PokéBalls that let you freeze your dinosaurs and carry them around. But! Big but here... unlike Pokémon, the Cryopods require a Cryofridge to keep your dinosaurs alive and without it, you can't just throw your dinosaur out, you need to do so next to the fridge to work it. It’s a clever system that has a similar feel to Pokémon but more sci-fi-e and an added layer of complexity, because why not... And it makes sense if you are cryo'ing your dinosaur there needs a machine to uncryo them.
Playing Zoo Keeper (or Dinosaur Trainer!)
I love the creatures in Ark, some more than others but each dinosaur has its own, skill level, traits and colouring, and figuring out how to tame and look after each one is a whole situaion on its own. Some days, I feel like a dinosaur trainer, making sure my my little dinos are fed, they have their own enclosures to keep them safe from predators and to let them to roam free in their habitats, hoping they don’t escape.
It’s so rewarding looking after them and seeing my collection grow. I get so attached to them, they aren't just kept animals, they’re my protectors, my little bubbas and sometimes even my transportation. my favoruite is riding my T-Rex that I hatched, raised and imprinted, followed by a loyal pack of dimorphodons, or flying around on my Argentavis.
An Adventurer’s Playground
When I feel like exploring, ARK becomes this huge adventure game. The map is huge, with wilderness, red forests, terrifying swamps and oceans to explore. Even though the oceans terrify me! so you know when I am going on my raft, it was equipt with metal foundation and walls because I aint about to be attacked and fall into no water! Or I’ll hop on the back of my Argentavis and fly around looking for areas you can't easily access on foot, trying to discover hidden caves, ancient ruins, and unlocking the secrets books along the way. There’s always something new to find, whether it’s an artifact, a new dinosaur, or just a breathtaking view from the top of a cliff.
Some days, I’ll load up the game with nothing more in mind than seeing where the journey takes me. Sometimes it’s a peaceful boat ride, and other times it feels like I’m playing Raft, dodging the sharks/megaladons. Or I try exploring on foot but I know, that as soon as a dinosaur that wants to eat me enters the picture, I might loose a pet or two... and all my items, then having to respwan and run to collect them.
Combat, Weapons, and Boss Battles
And when I’m in the mood for action, ARK doesn’t disappoint. The game has a surprisingly deep combat system, with a wide range of weapons to craft and upgrade. Whether it’s a simple bow and arrow, a spear, or more advanced guns, there’s always a new way to take on the world’s challenges. Crafting weapons and preparing for battle makes it feel like a shooting game, especially when I’m up against the larger and more dangerous creatures. (It even reminds me of Tomb Raider when Lara Croft fought a dinosaur with nothing but her pistols!)
But the real thrill comes when I’m gearing up to face one of the game’s bosses. Scattered across the map are powerful creatures guarding artifacts that you can collect. These bosses are tough and require careful planning, the right gear, and often the help of tamed dinos to take them down. It’s intense and rewarding, and each victory feels like a huge accomplishment. It’s one thing to survive in ARK, but it’s another thing entirely to conquer it.
Making the Game My Own
What I love most about ARK is that it gives me the freedom to play however I want. Some days, I’m a builder, carefully crafting my dream home. Other days, I’m a dinosaur trainer, running my own prehistoric zoo. I can be an explorer, uncovering the map’s mysteries, or a warrior, battling fierce enemies with my carefully-crafted arsenal. The game lets me switch between these roles whenever I feel like it, so it never gets old or repetitive.
And that’s what keeps me coming back. ARK isn’t just a game; it’s a world where I can be whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do. I can set my own goals, create my own challenges, and live out all these different fantasies within a single game. It’s the ultimate sandbox experience, where survival is just the beginning, and the adventure is what you make of it.
Counting Down to ARK 2
With everything ARK: Survival Ascended has to offer, I can’t help but feel excited for the next chapter. ARK 2 is on the horizon, and I can only imagine what new adventures, creatures, and challenges it will bring. If it’s anything like the first games but bigger, more polished, and with even more possibilities, I know I’ll be hooked from day one.
For now, though, there’s still so much left to do in ARK. There are dinosaurs I haven’t tamed, bosses I haven’t beaten, and corners of the map I haven’t explored. And that’s what I love about this game: even after all the hours I’ve put in, there’s always something new waiting for me.
If you’re someone who loves survival games, dinosaurs, or just having the freedom to play the way you want, ARK might just be your perfect escape too. And if you’re already a fan, are you more of a builder, a dino trainer, or an adventurer, or you try complete the maps with those caves and artifacts? Or, like me, do you enjoy mixing it up and exploring all the different ways to make the game your own?
