Right, the first thing any survival game needs is something to make you fear for your life. Zombies and bears are played out, so that leaves… Dinosaurs. Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved is an online survival game about not being eaten by dinosaurs.
After you master not being eaten by dinosaurs, you can move on to eating the dinosaurs. And then you can ride the dinosaurs. Raptors, apatosaurus, tyrannosaurus rex, pterodactyl, giant scorpions (yes I know those last two aren't dinosaurs) - all can be brought to heel and made to carry you into battle. Maybe you can't ride the dragons, though. Wait, dragons?
Yes, dragons. Turns out this is one of those kinds of mysterious islands, with a strange and nigh-inscrutable purpose that its inhabitants can decipher by tracking down dozens of hidden clues. Or you can just ignore them, build up a base with friends, research new weapons, and go raid those bullies who thought they were so badass when they figured out how to make a sharp stick. Smoke monsters be damned.
ARK: Survival Evolved is planned for full release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One in early 2016. It'll hit Steam Early Access on June 2.
