PixARK offers a world full of dinosaurs in a sandbox reminiscent of Minecraft. The game was in early access for nearly a year and is now in full release on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch. The release date of PixARK was in May 2019.
What is PixARK? If you break down the name of the game, you split the word into Pix and ARK. The pixel world that everyone has seen in Minecraft (Voxel) and the dinosaurs from ARK. Imagine a mix like this in this game.
You build your base, like in Minecraft, out of individual cubes. Block by block, cute little houses or gigantic fortresses are created.
To survive and gather materials, you need the magical tool. You craft these highly advanced technical helpers yourself.
You can play alone or with other players in a tribe. On the island, you will encounter dangerous dinosaurs. If you tame them, a T-Rex can also be used as a mount. From its back, you shoot at enemies with weapons like rocket launchers.
When is the full release of PixARK? On May 31, 2019, PixARK leaves early access and starts its full release. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
PixARK started in early access in March 2018.
What does PixARK have to do with ARK Survival Evolved? That is somewhat opaque. A few years ago, the studio behind ARK, WildCard, was in a crisis that was solved behind closed doors with the checkbook.
Apparently, a Chinese company helped the US studio out of trouble back then and secured rights to the ARK license in return. Hence, some games from “Snail Games” are out with elements of ARK. This includes PixARK.
How is the game rated so far? On Steam, PixARK struggles with “Mixed” ratings. 62% of the total 3596 reviews are positive. In recent reviews, it is 60% of 41 reviews (as of April 24, 19:15).
- A comprehensive leveling system that can be expanded with engram points is positively highlighted.
- Players also praise the large map, which has biomes and tunnel systems to explore.
- The various weapons and the combination with magic provide diverse battles that players enjoy.
- Fans of Minecraft who want more variety will find fun in PixARK.
Why doesn’t PixARK convince more people? In the reviews on Steam, people say that the game runs out of steam after a few hours. The long-term motivation is lacking.
One user writes that the world in ARK feels alive and you always have to react to survive in the world. PixARK does not offer that. The world feels dead, with only a few creatures walking around.
“After a few hours, you scratch your head and wonder why you bought the game,” writes the player. “If you are a Minecraft fan, you might like it. But for the rest of us, who are used to ARK, a downgrade in graphics and fun makes no sense.”
Now, there is a frequent wish for more updates from the developers so that PixARK can reach its potential. You can find other cool survival games here:
