ARK: Aquatica has officially launched today, and players are in for a whole new underwater adventure! This latest expansion for ARK: Survival Evolved, announced by Snail Games, comes with an exciting official trailer, showcasing a deep dive into what players can expect from the game.
After revealing its release date of July 15, fans have been eagerly awaiting the new expansion, and now it’s finally here.
ARK: Aquatica is an entirely new map, developed in-house by Snail Games, and is designed as a side story to the main ARK narrative. Set in an ambitious underwater world, the expansion features 95% of gameplay submerged beneath the surface, offering a unique and thrilling survival experience. The underwater environment brings new mechanics, environmental hazards, and survival challenges.
Originally teased at GDC in March, the expansion faced some backlash due to the use of generative AI imagery in an early trailer. However, the latest launch trailer has been much more well-received, featuring a variety of creatures, both aquatic and land-dwelling, coexisting with human tribes. Players can utilize these prehistoric creatures to navigate both dry land and underwater, aided by wind funnels beneath the ocean’s surface. But not every creature is friendly, and the trailer also hints at some thrilling combat.
What makes ARK: Aquatica stand out is its first-ever submerged ARK, with above-water islands adding to the gameplay complexity. The expansion introduces 21 new tameable creatures, 74 new Engrams (including seven Tek Engrams), and underwater survival elements such as air pockets and propulsion vehicles. The narrative will connect multiple ARKs, offering fresh new characters and exciting storylines for players to explore.
ARK: Aquatica is currently available exclusively on PC via Steam. For a limited time, players can grab the expansion at 40% off, priced at $8.99 for the first two weeks. Additionally, a new ARK: New Depths Bundle, which includes both ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Aquatica, is also available at a 20% discount.