The Xbox players of ARK: Survival Evolved can enjoy the splitscreen mode. But does it run smoothly? What does it look like? We will show you!
Shared fun is double fun (but half the graphics)
The Xbox version of ARK: Survival Evolved, the major dino MMO hit of last year, has received a long-awaited update. New features include numerous fresh creatures on the island, performance improvements, and the long-anticipated splitscreen mode. The latter allows players to sit together in front of a console and explore the game world “shoulder to shoulder” and give their co-player a proper headbutt when they “accidentally” get their character eaten by a T-Rex. It can happen.
However, the splitscreen mode also comes with some compromises, at least in its current state. The game’s graphics are noticeably scaled down, and still, there are significant drops in frame rate, occasionally leading to quite annoying stutters. However, one must give ARK credit for still being in a developmental stage and that experience must be gathered. It can be expected that the splitscreen mode will be further polished and expanded with more functionalities in the coming weeks and months.
Apart from the splitscreen mode, the patch has also brought some other highlights that had already been implemented in the PC version of the game over the past few months. Here are just some of the highlights:
- The Gallimimus, a riding dino for 3 players simultaneously
- The Dimetrodon, which protects players from heat and cold with its sail
- Dung beetles, which can extract oil from waste
- SWAT equipment for a military appearance
Besides that, the patch is said to have improved the performance of the game on consoles by about 15%. The addressed issues include pesky memory leaks that often caused the entire game to crash.
For more information about the game and previous patches, you can find our ARK: Survival Evolved theme page.
