What is the Chronological Order of the ARK Maps?
The chronological order of the ARK maps, based on the game’s story, is as follows: The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis: Part 1, and Genesis: Part 2. This order is established primarily through the explorer notes scattered across the maps, the progression of boss fights, and, in the case of the Genesis expansions, direct narration. Understanding this sequence is key to unraveling the complex narrative of ARK: Survival Evolved. While many maps exist in the game, these six form the core of the ARK story canon and delve into the mysteries of the ARKs and their origins.
Delving into the ARK Story Chronologically
The narrative of ARK isn’t just about survival; it’s a journey through the history of a ruined world and the remnants of a civilization that tried to save itself. Each map plays a pivotal role, unveiling secrets and raising new questions.
The Island: The Beginning
The Island is where it all begins. Players wake up on a mysterious island, seemingly with no memory of their past. It’s a place teeming with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, forcing you to learn the ropes of survival. The explorer notes found on The Island reveal glimpses of past survivors and the beginning of the understanding of the ARKs. It’s a starting point, not just for gameplay but also for understanding the overarching story. The boss fights here, culminating in the confrontation with the Overseer, offer the first real clues to the nature of the ARKs.
Scorched Earth: A Harsh Revelation
Next in the story is Scorched Earth. This map throws players into a harsh, desert environment, revealing the malfunction and decay that afflicts the ARKs. The survivor notes here delve deeper into the stories of those who came before, showcasing a struggle against both the environment and the increasingly unstable technology of the ARKs. The Manticore boss fight presents a different challenge, hinting at a larger, more insidious threat beyond the initial dangers of the island.
Aberration: Descent into Darkness
Aberration takes the narrative underground and introduces players to an entirely different ecosystem. This ARK has suffered severe damage, leading to a hostile environment filled with radioactive elements and strange, mutated creatures. The explorer notes here paint a picture of desperation and the failed attempts to repair the damaged system. The boss, Rockwell, represents the corrupted essence of the technology and introduces a significant antagonistic force in the story.
Extinction: The Reclamation
Extinction brings players back to Earth and shows them the true origins of the ARKs. This map reveals a world ravaged by the events leading to the construction of the ARKs, with remnants of a technologically advanced civilization and a powerful corrupting force known as the Titans. The boss fights here are epic in scale, culminating in the battle against the King Titan, a powerful symbol of the forces that destroyed Earth. This map serves as a culmination of the previous narratives, forcing players to confront the consequences of the past.
Genesis: Part 1 – The Simulation
Genesis: Part 1 introduces a simulation within the ARKs, which presents players with artificial environments and diverse challenges. This expansion introduces HLN-A, an AI companion who helps guide players through the simulation and narrates some of the story. The exploration here sheds more light on the history of the ARKs, their purpose, and the underlying machinations of the creators of the simulation.
Genesis: Part 2 – The Conclusion
Genesis: Part 2 concludes the main story arc of ARK: Survival Evolved. Players find themselves on a colony ship, navigating through environments that showcase both the technological marvel and decay that characterizes the entire saga. The explorer notes and the final boss battle reveal the ultimate fate of the humans and the underlying purpose of the ARKs, bringing the storyline to a definitive end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the ARKs and why are they malfunctioning?
The ARKs are massive, self-contained ecosystems designed to preserve life in the face of global catastrophe. They are essentially giant spaceships orbiting Earth. The malfunctions are a result of the technology not being maintained, the length of time they have been operational, and outside interference from forces that wanted to hijack them.
2. How is the story primarily conveyed in ARK?
The story in ARK: Survival Evolved is predominantly told through explorer notes, which are found throughout each map. These notes are written by previous survivors and scientists who shed light on the ARKs’ history and the events that led to the game’s present state. Boss fights also play a role, acting as key milestones in the narrative.
3. Are all maps part of the main story?
No, not all maps are part of the main story canon. Maps like Ragnarok, Valguero, Crystal Isles, Fjordur, and others are considered non-canonical, meaning they don’t directly contribute to the core storyline. They offer different gameplay experiences, but they don’t further the main narrative threads.
4. Which ARK map should a new player start with?
New players should start with The Island. It’s the most accessible map, offers a good introduction to the game’s mechanics, and provides the foundational lore for the rest of the story. It’s also generally considered to be the easiest for beginners.
5. Is there an order to play the maps even if they are not in the main story?
While there’s no mandatory order for non-canonical maps, many players prefer to play Ragnarok or Valguero after The Island to experience new creatures and biomes while still retaining a level of familiarity with the core gameplay. These are often considered good transition maps.
6. What is the hardest map in ARK?
Scorched Earth is often considered one of the hardest maps due to its harsh environment, lack of water, and challenging weather conditions. However, Aberration is also very challenging due to the environmental hazards and difficult creatures.
7. Which ARK map has the most varied creature spawns?
Ragnarok is known for having a wide variety of creatures, pulling from multiple maps including The Island and Scorched Earth, making it a popular choice for players seeking diversity.
8. Which ARK map features a ruined city?
Sanctuary City is found on the Extinction map, showcasing the remains of human civilization on Earth.
9. What are Titans in ARK?
Titans are unique bosses found on Extinction, each of them extremely powerful and crucial to the lore of the map, being remnants of the force that destroyed the old world.
10. Is it necessary to play all story maps to understand the plot?
Yes, to fully grasp the complete narrative, playing through The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis: Part 1, and Genesis: Part 2 is necessary. Skipping these maps will leave significant gaps in your understanding of the story.
11. Does skipping Scorched Earth affect gameplay progression?
Scorched Earth is not necessary for core game progression. Many of the creatures and items from Scorched Earth can be accessed on other maps, such as Ragnarok or Valguero. However, skipping it will miss some critical story elements.
12. Which expansion is considered the best in terms of overall experience?
This is subjective, but Aberration is frequently praised for its unique environment and challenging gameplay, while Lost Island often tops popularity lists for introducing new dinosaurs and exploration opportunities.
13. Is the Island the easiest map to complete?
Yes, The Island is the easiest map for beginners and is the easiest to complete the boss fights. It is also considered the easiest map for survival in comparison to other storyline maps.
14. Can you transfer between ARK maps?
Yes, players can transfer their characters and tamed creatures between different ARK maps, assuming they are on the same server cluster or single player game.
15. Is there a particular map for artifact collecting?
Crystal Isles boasts a collection of all artifacts from The Island, The Center, Ragnarok and Valguero and one that was previously unused, making it a good map for artifact farming.
By following the chronological order of the main story maps, players can gain a full understanding of the intricate plot and lore of ARK: Survival Evolved, turning a survival game into an immersive narrative experience. Each map adds a new layer to the overall story, making the journey all the more rewarding.