Summary
Ark: Survival Ascendedhas released its third DLC map,The Center, which poses new challenges compared to the previous maps.Ascendedhas continued to release its past DLC for the upgraded game. Luckily, all these DLCs are free upon purchase of the game, though Studio Wildcard had added paid DLC as well. ThoughAscendedhas had a rough reputation due to its high spec requirements, many of its improvements have accomplished the goal of being an upgrade.
Scorched Earthadded the smallest map in the franchise but one of the most difficult or at least annoying. Water is extremely hard to come by, and the intense heat that floods the map makes it a constant requirement. This madeScorched Eartharguably the least popular DLC, as the survival aspects made a playthrough too tedious. However, this map did introduce some ofthe coolest creatures in the franchise, so even it had some bright spots.
Everything To Expect From Ark: Survival Ascended The Center’s New Map
The Center map is finally returning to Ark: Survival Ascended. Here’s everything in the original version, and what might be different this time.
The Center Map Size Comparison
The Biggest Experience To Date In ASA
When compared to the six base DLC maps ofArk,The Centeris the third largest, andbigger thanScorched Earthand The Island. Based on developer input and player calculations, The Island comes out at around 40 sq. kilometers, withThe Centerbeing almost double the size at 70 sq. kilometers. The Desert map ofScorched Earthhas, so far, not had an exact size narrowed down, but has been known to be much smaller than The Island’s 40 sq. kilometers.
The Centeris also the most diverse map in the game, having almost every type of biome for players to explore. This includes a large set of underwater and cave systems that house some of the map’s most dangerous creatures. This multiple-island map is also tricky to navigate before getting a flying mount, as the area is separated by water by narrow land bridges.
The Centeris similar toThe Islandwith a mix of biomes, while sharing nothing withScorched Earth’s Desert. For some, it luckily does not have any unique survival effects, but the vast cave systems give exploration options. It is also one of the best maps when it comes tocreating underwater tame fleets and bases. In this regard,The Centerprovides experiences thatThe IslandandScorched Earthcannot in PvE and PvP.
The Dinosaurs Found In The Center
A Flourishing Ecosystem
Due to the multitude of biomes, The Center has arguably thewidest variety of Dinosaurs on anyArkmap. This includes every dinosaur that can be found on The Island, as well as a few new and voted-in additions. One of these includesthe Jurassic submarine creature Shastasaurus. This aquatic tame can be converted into a great transportation and long-range offensive option but is severely weakened by its close-range limitations.
The Centerhas also introduced acontroversial new creature in the Pyromane. This fiery feline has a lot of offensive and crafting abilities for players but is its own standalone purchase. Though it is for a relatively cheap $5, the act ofselling non-cosmetic content could set a bad precedentfor a game that has a heavily involved PvP community. Regardless, the Pyromane is an amazing new addition to theArkseries.
The one drawback ofThe Centeris how, outside the two new additions listed above, itlacks any unique creatures. Especially so when compared toScorched Earth,which has Wyverns, Rock Elementals, and multiple fun prehistoric insects. Though this diverse map lacks any unique powerhouses, the challenge, and experience it provides more than makeup for this drawback.
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A terrifying prehistoric predator will soon be swimming into Ark: Survival Ascended as players can now expect the imminent arrival of the Xiphactinus.
The Center’s Unique Boss Fight
A Battle On Two Fronts
A huge positive forThe Centeris its challenging and unique boss fight. This boss fight can be found on the maps arena, and willspawn two bosses at oncein the Broodmother Lysrix and Megapithicus. Though neither of these bosses are new, experiencing both of them at once is a massive endeavor. Both bosses will also periodicallyspawn high-level minionsthat will attempt to overwhelm players. Speed is also a crucial factor, asafter 25 minutes, the arena will destroy everything inside it.
The best way to take on these two, besides having a large and developed army of tamed dinosaurs, is spacing. Though it will be tricky, trying tokill one boss at a time will be the safest way to progress. However, both bosses can be attacked at once by two separate groups of multiple players if many tames are brought into the arena. Overall, thoughThe Center’s arena boss fight does not add new bosses, it incorporates new challenges that make it a fresh encounter.
Which Ark: Survival Ascended Map Should You Play
An Overall Refreshing Upgrade
Of all the maps currently inAscended,The Centeris easily themost balanced experience to match a challenging experience. In a way, this new map can be seen as anupgraded version and the next step after The Island. The biomes and dinosaurs all match up, butThe Centerhas a more challenging environment. These include the caves and oceans that play a much larger role than what can be seen on The Island. Overall, it is the perfect map for those who want more challenge than the base game but want to avoid the tedious annoyances ofScorched Earth.
ThoughThe Centermay not feel like it adds as much as its predecessor, it is arguably the best addition toAscendedyet. The mix of everything this map does right has kept it popular even as more creative maps have entered the franchise, and the new additions forAscendedprovide a small refresh for its return. That is whyArk: Survival Ascended’sThe Centercompares so well to its predecessor,Scorched Earth,and the base games' The Island.
