Ark: Survival Evolved has been around for quite a while, but still a game that many play on the regular for that survival feel that other games lack. Between the different Islands to venture on, there's many adventures to be had in very many different ways.

 

What is there to like about Ark?

--- Graphics are quite astounding, and vary quite a lot when tweaking with the settings. From hyper-detailed fur, to basic fur mesh... this allows machines of many different kinds to still enjoy the game while it keeps some decent looks.

 

--- The variety of ways to capture or defeat various dinosaurs can keep you entertained for a long time. Whether with toxic arrows on basic bows, Wild west era rifles, or modern shotguns... you get many options to choose from.

 

--- The islands are quite large, as in... very huge. Fully exploring an island can take a minimum of a few hours (when flying in the air), or literal days (on foot, or sailing the seas).

--- Base building is very nice. It can be fidgety now and then, but there's no real size limit to the fortress you're able to make. The resource cost of building parts is also quite balanced.

 

--- There's many different styles of armors to suit your costs and needs. From fiber clothes, to high "Tek" armor for warfare.

 

--- The diversity of the wildlife across all the different biomes is pleasant to see. Creatures also have numerous coloring patterns, some of which are locked to specific genders.

 

--- Servers (Both SP and Dedicated) have numerous options for players to optimize the game to their liking.

 

--- Tons of mods made by the community to enhance or overhaul gameplay in countless ways.

What's there not to like?

--- There's no real "Safe" starting area. Spawning near predators is not uncommon in the slightest. There'll be numerous times where you'll spawn near a Carnosaurs or a pack of Compies and get mauled upon spawn... or nicked by venomous bugs before you get a chance to defend yourself.

 

--- There's no real level restriction areas for creature spawns. Typically only the center of the islands have higher level spawns, but it's completely normal for them to roam an entire biome. Don't be shocked to see a Lvl 130 Carnosaur near an "easy" spawn location.

 

--- Melee can be confusing, and sometimes inconsistent. Sometimes you'll have space and hit something, whereas other times you'll have a creature in your face and not landing hits.

 

--- There's essentially zero automation without mods off the workshop. Game is designed to be played by groups of people, so the SP peeps are quite neglected.

Overall, Ark is a pretty good game. Most definitely one you'd want friends for, considering the difficulty and resource grind to get things done. And though it is a bit hard to find, the game itself has a storyline...  but kudos to finding the notes that tell it.