When Ark: Survival Evolved made its debut on the Nintendo Switch back in 2018, it was released in a pretty rough state. There was a range of technical issues and there were also some substantial slowdown issues.
Fortunately, the team at Studio Wildcard are looking to turn the situation around with Ark: Ultimate Survivor Edition - a 'complete revamp' of the game from a new port specialist, supposedly rebuilding the game's code in Unreal Engine 4 and enhancing the functionality, graphics and optimisation.
We're now been presented with our very first look at this version of the game running in handheld mode on the Switch. Keep in mind, that it's still in development and is not the final build of the game.
One other neat deal for existing owners is that they'll be able to access this new version at no extra cost. For everyone else though, you'll have to fork out $49.99 USD or your regional equivalent on the Switch eShop. Included are all the major expansions (Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, and Genesis Parts 1 & 2).
Will you be giving Ark a second chance on the Nintendo Switch? Leave a comment down below.
[source nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 25
Oh nice! For whatever reason, I never sold or threw my copy away. I’d gladly give it another shot.
I thought this game was terrible in general for all versions. Or am I thinking of something else...?
If it ran bad on other consoles I can’t imagine how it would run on the switch, or even before this port!
I played the game a bit on pc (i got it for free on both steam and epic in giveaways) and never got into it, maybe I'll try again and if i like it, buy this port
No interest in this, but the footage of the new version actually looks quite attractive! Impressed with the level of effort they're putting into fixing this port.
I don't agree with getting the money first then fixing the game as it treats people like wallets. But this certainly looks much improved.
I must say, it looks like its a big improvement over what was originally release, graphic wise. The building aspects look improved and quite easy to use on the Switch console. The monsters look pretty detailed. On the other hand, you could still see slow down and actual pauses in the gameplay when areas would need some time to load. And that combat...that looked really janky. Still, I think its pretty clear that whoever they have porting it this time is much better at the Switch than what was attempted with the first release of ARK. Maybe I'll finally give it a shot on Switch when this one comes out?
@Joeynator3000 I recently played it on my Series X through GamePass and it runs good now, but still is an okayish game at best. On the XboxOne S it ran really bad.
Isn't this a bit late for this game considering it's heavily focused on online play and the second one is coming out soon
So... they released the beta version at full price and now they’re releasing a (presumably) tested and completed version 4 years after the fact?
So the description in the YT vid says "Developed by Grove Street Games"! Yeesh!
Will be interesting to see if DF do a follow up video. Their original with the harmonica JP theme intro was great.
People don't realise that ARK is an indie game which is basically a tech demo turned into a game. The reason it's so janky and rough is because I don't think they know how to optimise it, or don't bother.
It has sort of taken off despite being a janky AA PC game.
That's cheating. To demonstrate performance of the new Ultimate Edition, they show a desert with few trees? Every time I've seen the game, there's always forest with LOTS of trees. Looks like they're trying to scam us.
I'm genuinely.....shocked. they went from a ds quality image to what appears to be near miracle quality modern standards.....how? I know a lot has changed in 4 years, but that's a massive improvement. The new vid is what I had hoped ark would be like when I first bought it. Is it the same porting studio?
@WoomyNNYes even though they showed that area, NOTHING in the game ( especially in handheld ) looked that good, like at all.
I for one am very excited to see them try to at least somewhat redeem the blurry Switch mess they originally released. It always seemed like a fun sandbox but I hardly touched my cartridge after purchasing. Nice to know this will be free for me.
@Palico82 Yeah, I get the feeling they are getting ahead of themselves touting performance improvement with a rebuilt game. I'm sure it's not easy, though.
Ark is a great game on PC. I am still playing it. Not sure where all the negative comes from. If its not for you thats simple. But for me its the best game of all time. I am playing the new Fjordur map and its simply amazing.
To be fair, the difference is night and day. Well done.
Great game I have over 1500 hours on Ark on switch looking forward to the upgrade graphics and maps
@WoomyNNYes not in the map they show scorchearth is deserts and trees not forests.
Got over 300 hours on Ark Switch in its current state. Hasn't stopped us having fun in an all Switch tribe. (Check out BenZs Ark guides on Switch). Really looking forward to the Switches Ascent!
I could never play ark in handheld. The hud items and fonts would bee to small to see. Plus I feel I get more sucked in and feely jump scare wise if it's played not in handheld mode and played in dark. Imo the only way to play lol.
FINALLY!! iv messaged wildcard so many times anf asked them to sort it out im glaf im not the only 1 who was annoyed with buying the game for it to be ***** graphics and only 1 map. Cant wait for the update and the others maps and im happy that people who prevoursly bought the game get this for free
I'd just like to add, none of the dlcs are free, those you buy as a dlc. For people who already have the game like myself will get the graphic upgrade but will still have to buy the dlcs.
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