Ark: Survival Evolved. Is It Really Worth Buying It Now As A Pre-Release Version?

Andrew Bowes examines Ark: Survival evolved and asks whether the game, available on the Xbox One Game Preview Programme, is worth the asking price. In this very personal examination, the author seeks to inform readers about his own experience of the game, how it grabbed him, and whether others might be engaged in the same way.

[StaceyJK]

Thoroughly enjoyed the author's dissection of the worth of early investment in this Xbox One Game Preview title. Well worth a read!

[DigitalRaptor]

I've never understood this Early Access appeal. Once you've become bored of what you've got in a pre-release version for months on end, you're not going to want to go back, even if it is better looking or performing or complete. I want to anticipate and be surprised by polished products, not play a bad experience until it's good and I'm already fed up.

If you want to save money overall though, you could get it now - play later.

[StaceyJK]

Get it now for the potential savings, play it only when released on retail... not a bad idea! Would need the kind of willpower I just don't have! :-)

[tinynuggins]

I never understood it either. ark was my first early access game. I'm glad I took a chance though. Its the most fun ice had playing games with my boys in a while. Also, we really like dinosaurs.

[Hunkaloverbear]

One of the best games and will be the definitive dinosaur game of 2016. People are trying to download play it but millions of people are loving it on xbox one and it's only getting more and more popular. I'd buy it again if I had to.

[jb227]

Us PS4 gamers appreciate PC & XBO being beta testers, hope the game is quality on its wide release...also in regards to the definitive dinosaur game of 2016, Horizon says hello...

[Hunkaloverbear]

Horizon? Where they don't even look like dinosaurs but look more like robots? No thanks plus ark looks better in every single way gameplay wise and people will play ark for soooooo much longer then Horizon. Gameplay In horizon looked generic only reason why you guys hype it so much is because you are obligated to.

Oh yeah and thanks for beta testing rocket league (the best ps4 game out right now) I'm sure I'll love definitive game of the year edition with all dlc ;)

[jb227]

The difference between Ark & Rocket League is that you guys are paying for the privilege to beta test while we got the full final retail release of Rocket League for free.

As far as Horizon, it's not just "us guys" hyping it, it's the entire gaming media as well. The reveal at E3 was the most awarded new ip of the entire show, from every single different outlet in attendance. Sounds like your opinion is the minority one.

[Hunkaloverbear]

Didn't evolve win all those awards the previous year? Plus the media has a Sony bias and it's totally clear for everyone to see dude I seen the gameplay for myself and I found it completely mediocre.

Difference is we get ark as a timed exclusive and you guys have to wait half a year to play it :) now please leave this article if you think horizon is going to come anywhere close to being as good as ark then I want whatever you're Smoking. Actually I don't because then I'll embarrasse myself just like you.

[jb227]

Looks like you are the only one who has to leave this article now considering you are all out of bubbles...

I don't even mind your differing opinion, its just that you've been trolling nonstop w/ ridiculous "superiority" claims when all of this is relative. We get that you prefer Xbox, but you don't have to put down every other platform in the process. You may not see any worth in games like Horizon but I guarantee if you had a PS4 you would be singing a different tune. I only have a PS4 but I'm absolutely willing to admit that games like QB & potentially Recore look amazing...haven't seen you do anything but downplay every single Sony exclusive and that just shows an obvious blind bias. Even a broken clock is right twice a day & even a fanboy should find at least a game or two on the other platform that interests them.

Maybe Horizon turns out as bad as Evolve did, but if we go that route then basically anything could potentially be garbage...better to opt for optimism or at the very least the realistic view that some games will live up to or exceed hype & some will fall well below it...either way if everything on the PS4 was garbage I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be the market leader right now.

[NoFanboyJustLovGames]

I say yeah buy it now for low price and wait to play once fully released.... its a great game

[OC_MurphysLaw]

If you plan on getting it later on then absolutely since you are getting a good price break.

[Toiletsteak]

I have been having a lot of fun with this with my bro. While it has issues (which is to be expected) it's still loads of fun.

[alfcrippinjr]

i wanna ride a dinosaurs

looks good but i thought the pc was still in beta.

would like to run around naked

[zerocarnage]

Of course it is. I play on a server with a good bunch of guys and galz and the game is hard no doubt on a PvP server when you solo, it's pretty near impossible. But I linked up with some friends on xb1 and the game when you work as a team is so much fun even in game preview pre release..

I've had a ton of laughs, had nothing but bad luck days, had people do daft things, done daft things myself but I must say ark is an experience for groups of mates.

We on our server have built some decent players, were neutral, we can defend ourselfs. Some of the other big clans try to throw there weight about way to much and they put off the avarage gamer because they go to far. Yeah it's a PvP server but do it to much you end up putting everyone off.. we're prob the only clan on that server that doesn't go off all hard, we will protect people around us, but we're not easily provoked into war as what others have had happened to them we sit back watch, monitor and react if necessary and concentrate on getting bigger..

The game has a ton of potential but it's not without its issues. I don't mind grinding, I certainly don't mind just roaming the beach for meat. I've tamed tons of argys for other members, even sat through the night on a seven hour tame for one (glad it's still alive). I've lost a few dino I wished I'd of thought about and been a bit more careful with. Point being ark can be a ruthless game and it can teach you harsh lessons very quickly, but you can do all sorts and more and by far it's deffo worth it's game preview price tag on xb1. We mite of had the recent update with the Dung beetle but me and my mates are happy and we've already put in a considerable ammount of hours into ARK. ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!

If anyone would like to add me on xb1 add zero carnage..