Last week, we learned ARK: Aquatica — the new expansion for ARK: Survival Evolved — finally received a firm release date: July 15 (that’s today!), and to celebrate the launch, Snail Games has dropped an all-new official trailer, this time showing off what to expect from the game.
Snail Games announced its “in-house developed new expansion map, ARK: Aquatica” at GDC in March. The studio described the expansion as a non-canonical side story to ARK in “an ambitious underwater setting featuring 95% of gameplay taking place beneath the surface.”
However, the ARK: Survival Evolved expansion trailer released alongside the announcement was resoundingly condemned after fans discovered evidence of generative AI imagery, and the follow-up 11-second trailer released last week really didn’t show us very much at all.
Now, however, a brand-new launch trailer is available to tempt you into picking up the expansion today. It shows off a selection of dinosaurs — both the aquatic and dry-land types — and how they exist alongside a tribe of humans, who can use their prehistoric companions to get around both on dry land and via what appears to be wind funnels beneath the waves.
Not all of the creatures you bump into are friendly, though, so we’re also treated to a little combat, too, as well as some truly stunning underwater vistas.
ARK: Aquatica introduces the first submerged ARK with above-water islands, “challenging players with new survival mechanics, extreme environmental hazards, a huge explorable map area, and unique gameplay elements.” The underwater biome adds 21 new tameable creatures, 74 new Engrams — including seven tek Engrams — and underwater survival thanks to features like air pockets and propulsion vehicles. Expect new characters and a “narrative connecting multiple ARKs.”
ARK: Aquatica is available exclusively on PC via Steam. For the first two weeks of release, players can pick it up for $8.99 — that’s 40% off the recommended retail price. A new ARK: New Depths Bundle, which features both ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Aquatica Expansion Map, is also on sale at a 20% discount.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
