Unreal Engine 5 remaster Ark: Survival Ascended has never quite settled. The original version of the dinosaur-taming survival game, Ark: Survival Evolved, holds a strong Steam rating of 84% across over half a million reviews. Despite its visual upgrade, performance woes and bugs have seen Survival Ascended consigned to a ‘mixed’ 59% score. Now, however, Studio Wildcard has teamed up with one of its most beloved mod creators to launch a stunning new Ark map inspired by Greek mythology as official DLC – but the player response is already divided.
New Ark: Survival Ascended map Astraeos comes from the most-celebrated world builder in its community. The original, free version of the Greek fantasy landscape is the third most-downloaded map for the survival game. It’s only topped by the dwarven-themed Svartalfheim (created by the same modder, ‘Nekatus’) and Studio Wildcard’s own social hub, Club Ark. While Nekatus had previously announced plans to launch a premium version of the map, they’ve now partnered with the game’s developer to put it out as a full, paid DLC.
The new, official release of Astraeos will cost you $14.99 / £12.79, and transports you to a stunning island inspired by Greek fantasy. With more than 264 square kilometers to explore, spanning from marble cliffs and ancient mountaintop ruins down to white-sand beaches and cherry blossom groves, it’s certainly impressive, and looks to be a more-polished version of the free release. Studio Wildcard, however, notes that the map isn’t finished yet – it “will continue to grow with new realms, challenges and updates” over time.
Along with the new environments comes another creature variant – the Maeguana is a giant lizard that fuses the gliding Maewing (found in the Ark Genesis expansion) with an iguana. While retaining the agility of the former, it also possesses a “motherly nature” that allows it to assist in baby rearing. For more threatening creatures, you can venture into the depths of Astraeos in search of legendary foes including Medusa and the Minotaur.
As a fan of Greek mythology, I’m certainly enticed. So far, however, the reception from players is decidedly mixed. Its Steam score is split down the middle with just 50% of users recommending it. Several negative reviews state that they can’t get the map running in single player. Upvoted comments on the launch trailer express disappointment at the price of the DLC. One remarks, “An early access game for €60 wants €15 for a 30% finished early access map, now I’ve really seen everything.” Another adds, “It’s crazy how they can keep putting out maps without optimizing their game.”
Ark: Survival Ascended map Astraeos is out now on Steam, priced at $14.99 / £12.79. You can find it here. The original, free release of the map is still available to try as a mod if you’re curious to compare them first.
Whatever map you prefer, the best Ark mods are sure to make your experience better. For even more prehistoric adventures, take a look at the best dinosaur games on PC right now.
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