ARK: Aberration Ascended is a free-to-download expansion for ARK: Survival Ascended on Steam, and it requires the base game. It adds an underground map built around radiation and other hazards, alongside new creatures, resources, craftable gear, and Engrams. Steam lists its release date as September 5, 2024. Studio Wildcard’s Steam listing is the source for the content figures below.
What the expansion includes
Aberration is presented as a damaged ARK whose atmosphere has leaked away. Its surface is irradiated and dangerous, while lush environments and explorable spaces lie underground. Rather than a conventional open landscape, the map asks players to navigate vertical terrain, caves, and environmental threats using specialized equipment.
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| Content | What the Steam listing says |
|---|---|
| Creature types | 14, according to Studio Wildcard’s 2024 product description |
| Craftable items | 50+ unique items, according to Studio Wildcard’s 2024 product description |
| Engrams | 30 new Engrams, according to Studio Wildcard’s 2024 product description |
| Major biomes | Five, according to Studio Wildcard’s 2024 product description |
These are publisher-provided figures from the product description, not independently measured counts. The listing does not provide a complete item-by-item inventory.
Creatures to encounter
The expansion’s creature roster includes animals suited to climbing, gliding, illumination, and combat. Steam highlights these examples:
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#1 Best Overall
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- Rock Drake: described by the publisher as able to climb and glide.
- Lantern Pets: four types that help illuminate dark areas.
- Cave Crustacean: can grab and throw other creatures.
- Reaper: the publisher describes a queen that can impregnate a player character, leading to a tameable male Reaper.
These are descriptions from Studio Wildcard’s listing, not claims based on hands-on testing. The ARK Official Community Wiki’s Aberration entry also identifies Cosmo and Yi Ling as creatures exclusive to the Ascended version; the wiki is community-maintained, so check current in-game or official material for detailed mechanics.
Gear, crafting, and resources
Studio Wildcard advertises more than 50 unique craftable items and 30 new Engrams. The named examples span traversal, protection, light, combat, and resource gathering:
- Movement and exploration: cave-climbing picks, wingsuits, and ziplines.
- Protection and visibility: hazmat outfits, charge lanterns, and glowsticks.
- Combat and utility: flashbangs, batteries, railguns, and fishing baskets.
- Resource gathering: gas collectors, alongside new resources to gather.
The listing names these items but does not explain their exact recipes, unlock conditions, or current balance. For those details, use current in-game information rather than assuming a product-page description is a full guide.
Rank #2
- EFFORTLESS XBOX INTEGRATION. Officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S consoles.
- ROOM FOR MORE GAMES. Up to 2TB(1) of storage gives you space to grow your library by up to 50(4) more games.
- NVME SPEED YOU CAN FEEL. Low-latency performance matches Xbox Velocity Architecture, so games play directly from the card.
- QUICK RESUME READY. Instantly switch between multiple suspended games without losing progress or waiting.
- XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE. Enjoy a 1-month trial with access to hundreds of games across console, PC, and cloud(2).
Map biomes and hazards
The Steam description names five major biomes and frames environmental danger as a central part of Aberration. It calls out earthquakes, radiation exposure, gas leaks, and Element chambers. The publisher also describes cave dwellings and underground areas, with equipment such as climbing gear and wingsuits helping players move through the map’s difficult terrain.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe map’s story is positioned as part of the larger ARK narrative. The listing gives a broad overview rather than a detailed biome guide or plot summary.
Release date, price, and required game
Steam lists ARK: Aberration Ascended as released on September 5, 2024, labels it a free download, and states that ARK: Survival Ascended is required. The live store listing is the place to confirm current availability and platform details, since store terms and support can change.
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View Aberration Ascended on Steam. Steam’s ARK: Survival Ascended listing describes the remastered game as built with Unreal Engine 5 and says expansion worlds are added at no additional cost on a regular basis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Aberration Ascended versus the original Aberration
The names refer to releases for different ARK games, not interchangeable listings. The original ARK: Aberration Expansion Pack was released on December 12, 2017 for ARK: Survival Evolved on Steam. Aberration Ascended is the 2024 release for ARK: Survival Ascended. The original Steam expansion listing specifies its own base-game requirement.
The available sources do not establish a complete feature-by-feature comparison between the two editions, so do not assume their maps and content are otherwise identical. The community-maintained wiki does identify Cosmo and Yi Ling as Ascended-exclusive creatures.
Related add-ons
Steam recommends ARK: Bob’s Tall Tales for players interested in getting more out of Aberration Ascended. The ARK Official Community Wiki identifies Steampunk Ascent as paid DLC released alongside Aberration Ascended as part of Bob’s Tall Tales. These are separate digital add-ons; check current store pages for availability and requirements before deciding whether they are relevant to you. The community wiki’s Steampunk Ascent entry provides further reference, though its details should be verified against current official listings.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
