The Power Rangers Crossover of Ark: Survival Ascended Is a Major Lost Opportunity
Though as amazing as it may have been, the Power Rangers crossover from Ark: Survival Ascended feels quite disappointing. The redesigned Ascended has produced minor new updates and partnerships to keep the game feeling fresh, while using the previous DLCs from Ark: Survival Evolved. This is most likely to keep purchasing time as Ark 2, the sequel, keeps under development. Although Ark 2 is slated to launch at the end of 2024, it does not have a specific release date and has been repeatedly postponed.
Among the recent additions to Ascended are modified animals like the Xiphactinus or Ceratosaurus. These were added into the upgrade for diversity and quality-of- life; they were quite popular modified dinosaurs. The new controversial Pyromane from the Fantastic Tames Dlc also adds to the mix. Some users have been concerned about poor microtransaction techniques that might find their way into the sequel via these stand-alone purchases Though it brings the Power Rangers into the picture, the most recent paid mod for Ark seems to be quite the lost opportunity.
Power Rangers Collab Feels Lacking by Survival Ascended
Originally teasing on the official Ark: Survival Ascended X (previously Twitter) account to much enthusiasm, this massive crossover for Ark: Survival Ascended was first revealed. Given the promise this new collab potentially have, first impressions of it are disappointing, though. Although the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers cosmetic Dlc costs $10, it features an apparently meager collection of items. Purchasing this package comprises:
More could have been done even though what is added is definitely polished and outstanding job. In this sense, even if this cosmetic pack is less expensive, it seems more like a bland, nostalgia-fueled product than a crossover that really makes advantage of its outstanding idea. This has kept the unsettling trend of contentious microtransactions in Ark intact. Although it makes sense no quick alterations were done given the Pyromane and this crossover were published so close to one another, the idea underlying both could be concerning.
How might The Ark X Power Rangers Crossover have been improved?
Although this collab looks to be following the Mighty Morphin narrative, it still may have been developed in several directions. More Zords would be the most clear approach; collecting others from the beloved universe and bringing them into Ark would not have caused great trouble even if they weren't from Mighty Morphin. With legal authorization, even entirely original designs would have been a great idea to provide novel ideas to both franchises.
Both Dino Thunder and Dino Charge have fresh choices that would make this pack seem more expansive if both sides opted to remain with franchise-owned Dinozords. This obviously comes with a somewhat higher price, but even if this pack was $20, it would probably generate more enthusiasm and seem like a worthy buy since it included 20+ new skins for dinosaurs together with the gifts for players.
Ark: Survival Ascended: Examining the Game
Developed at Studio Wildcard and Grove Street Games, ARK: Survival Ascended is a reinvented form of the 2017 action-adventure survival MMORPG. Designed in Unreal Engine 5, players will return to ARK to create tribes, fight and tame dinosaurs, and brave the elements as they try to survive in a unique sandbox where resource management and crafting are fundamental.
ARK: Survival Ascended presents players with a large and rich environment full of prehistoric species and limitless survival options. Players looking for an intense, open-world experience now often choose this game. Fans of the survival genre will still find the Power Rangers crossover to be an interesting choice even if it may be a lost possibility providing a special mix of action, adventure, and creative freedom.
Ark: survival ascended power rangers DLC: the verdict
Though it would need more effort, another choice would be to establish a boss who was the original Megazord the five Dinozords in the collab united into. On a location/mechanical scale, this would be challenging; nonetheless, it would probably be among the best and most unforgettable experiences Ark offers. Though possibly too much work for a simple cosmetic pack, letting players use a Megazord would be wild fun. Still, even a single boss fight this scope would make the $10 purchase seem like a bargain.
For what it is, the Ark x Power Rangers DLC is overall good. Though the pricing is reasonable, the material seems inadequate. The latest actions taken by the developer that generate questions about Ark's future with purchaseable content only aggravate this. Although it is unlikely this pack has anything added, maybe one collab may lead to a second later on adding extra material to help offset things out. Given the scope and potential, Ark: Survival Ascended's most recent crossover feels lackluster as things are right now.
