If you’ve scrolled through console or PC game storefronts lately looking for your next survival game fix, you’ve almost certainly seen listings for both Ark: Survival Ascended and the upcoming Ark 2. It’s easy to assume the two are connected enough to be sold together, especially since Studio Wildcard has a history of bundling its Ark franchise titles for long-time fans. If you’re asking does ark ascended come with ark 2, you’re far from alone, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. This guide breaks down exactly what you get with every edition of Ark Ascended, when you can get Ark 2 included with your purchase, and how to avoid wasting money on content you won’t receive.
Does Ark Ascended Come With Ark 2 in Standard Editions?
The short answer for most shoppers right now is no. The standard base edition of Ark Ascended, which retails for $39.99 across all platforms, only includes the Unreal Engine 5 remaster of the original Ark: Survival Evolved, all of its post-launch maps that released between 2017 and 2023, full cross-platform mod support, and access to official public servers. There is no Ark 2 access, pre-order or otherwise, included with this standard purchase. When Ark Ascended first launched in late 2023, Studio Wildcard offered a limited-time founder’s bundle that did include early access to Ark 2 for an extra $20, but that promotion ended in mid-2024 and is no longer available through official storefronts. I learned this the hard way last fall when I bought the standard edition for my cousin as a birthday gift, assuming the bundle was still active, and had to shell out extra for a separate Ark 2 pre-order a week later. Don’t make that same mistake if you want both games.
What Do You Get With Current Ark Ascended Bundles?
Right now, there are three official purchase options for Ark Ascended across all major platforms, each with different inclusions and price points. If you’re looking to get the most value for your money, it’s important to pick the bundle that matches what you actually want to play:
If you already own a copy of Ark Ascended, you don’t have to repurchase the full franchise bundle to get Ark 2 at a discount. All official storefronts offer an upgrade path for existing owners that cuts $40 off the franchise bundle price, which works out to be $10 cheaper than buying Ark 2 separately when it launches. Pre-ordering Ark 2 separately also unlocks a free exclusive dinosaur skin pack for Ark Ascended, so you still get a small cross-content perk even if you don’t buy the full bundle.
Key Differences Between Ark Ascended and Ark 2 to Help You Choose
Before you drop extra cash to get both games, it’s worth understanding what each title offers, because they’re far more different than you might expect. Ark Ascended is a full remaster of the original 2017 Ark: Survival Evolved, so it keeps all the core gameplay loops long-time fans love: first or third person play, familiar building and taming mechanics, and all the original dinosaur and map content you already know. It’s the best pick if you want to play the classic Ark experience with better graphics, cross-play support, and thousands of community mods to keep gameplay fresh.
Ark 2, by contrast, is a full standalone sequel set on a completely new alien planet, with a fully voice-acted story campaign starring Vin Diesel as the protagonist Santiago. The entire gameplay loop has been revamped: it’s third-person only, combat is more soulslike than the original Ark’s clunky melee system, building mechanics are completely reworked, and there are dozens of new dinosaur and creature species that never appeared in the original game. You don’t need to own or play Ark Ascended to enjoy Ark 2 when it launches, so if you only care about the new sequel, you don’t have to spend extra on the remaster. The only cross-over benefit is that certain progression milestones in Ark Ascended unlock exclusive skins and building pieces that carry over to Ark 2, which is a nice bonus for long-time franchise fans but not necessary for casual players.
Tips for Saving Money When Buying Both Ark Games
If you do want to play both titles, you don’t have to pay full price if you plan ahead. I’ve bought every Ark title since the original 2015 early access launch, so I’ve picked up a few tricks to get the best value for your money without getting scammed. First, wait for seasonal sales if you don’t need to play right away. Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store all run 20-35% off all Ark franchise titles during summer sales, winter holiday sales, and The Game Awards events every year, so you can save up to $30 on the franchise bundle if you wait a couple of months.
Second, check your active subscriptions before buying. Xbox Game Pass has had a long-standing partnership with Studio Wildcard, so every Ark title has landed on Game Pass for console and PC within 6 months of launch. If you have an active Game Pass subscription, you’ll almost certainly be able to play both Ark Ascended and Ark 2 for no extra cost beyond your monthly $14.99 fee, as long as you don’t mind waiting a few months after launch to play. Avoid third-party key resellers for any Ark bundle purchases, no matter how good the deal looks. A lot of resellers sell leftover keys for the old expired founder’s bundle that no longer include Ark 2 access, and you won’t be able to get a refund if the key doesn’t deliver the content you expected. I’ve had three friends get scammed this way, paying $25 for “bundle keys” that only gave them the standard Ark Ascended edition, so it’s always safer to buy directly from official storefronts.
At the end of the day, if you’re still asking does ark ascended come with ark 2, the simple answer is only if you purchase the official Ark Franchise Bundle directly from an authorized storefront. Standard and Explorer’s Pack editions of Ark Ascended don’t include any access to the sequel, so don’t assume you’re getting both games unless you explicitly see Ark 2 listed as part of the package. If you’re a casual player just testing out the survival genre, you can easily start with either game, no need to buy both right away. If you’re a long-time Ark fan who plans to play both titles for hundreds of hours, the franchise bundle is easily the best value, giving you all past, present, and future Ark content for one flat price. If you have more questions about either game, drop a note in the comments, I’m always happy to help out fellow survivors.