If you’ve been scrolling through Ark DLC lists trying to figure out how much is Ark Genesis Part 2 before hitting buy, you’re not alone. As someone who’s put over 1,200 hours into Ark Survival Evolved across PC and Xbox, I know how frustrating it is to land on outdated pricing pages or hidden bundle costs that make your final bill way higher than expected. Genesis Part 2 is the final story expansion for the original Ark Survival Evolved, wrapping up the game’s core narrative while adding new creatures, biomes, and endgame content that even casual players will get hours of fun out of. This guide breaks down every possible pricing option, hidden fees, and whether the DLC is actually worth the cost for your playstyle.
How Much Is Ark Genesis Part 2 Across All Major Platforms
At full retail price, Ark Genesis Part 2 costs $19.99 as a standalone purchase on all official platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch. You can also pick it up as part of the Genesis Season Pass, which includes both Genesis Part 1 and Part 2 for $34.99 at full price, if you haven’t already bought the first part of the expansion. Standalone purchase only gives you access to Genesis Part 2 content – you don’t get Part 1, any other expansions, or the base game with this purchase. You must own a copy of the base Ark Survival Evolved game to play Genesis Part 2, as it is not a standalone title. If you’re only interested in the final story chapter and new endgame creatures, the standalone Ark Genesis Part 2 purchase is all you need. Region pricing does vary slightly in some countries, so always check your local platform store for the most up to date numbers in your currency. Some platforms also offer family sharing options for the DLC, so if a family member already owns it, you may be able to access it for no extra cost on shared accounts.
Hidden Costs to Watch for When Buying Genesis Part 2
A lot of players end up spending more than they planned on Genesis Part 2 because they miss small hidden fees that pop up during checkout or when they first try to play. The biggest one is accidental bundle upsells, where stores will automatically add the full Ark complete edition to your cart instead of just the standalone DLC, which can cost you an extra $60 or more. Console players will need an active Xbox Live Gold or Playstation Plus subscription to access multiplayer Genesis Part 2 servers, even if you own both the base game and the DLC.
- Base game purchase cost if you don't already own Ark Survival Evolved
- Console online subscription fees for multiplayer server access
- Optional private server hosting fees if you want to run a custom Genesis Part 2 server for friends
- Cross-platform upgrade costs if you want to play the DLC on a second platform you don't already own it for
I’ve had friends accidentally spend $50 on a full bundle when they only wanted Genesis Part 2, so always double check what’s included in your cart before checking out. If you only play single player, you don’t have to worry about console subscription fees, which can cut down your total cost significantly. Even optional costs like private server hosting can be split between a group of friends to make it far more affordable if you want a private space to play through the expansion together.
The Best Times to Find Discounts on Genesis Part 2
You don’t have to pay full price for Genesis Part 2 if you’re willing to wait a few weeks or months for a sale. Major seasonal sales like Steam Summer Sale, Steam Winter Sale, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday almost always have the DLC marked down by 50% to 75%, meaning you can pick up the standalone version for as low as $4.99. You can often find Genesis Part 2 for 50% off or more during major seasonal gaming sales, and the Genesis Season Pass often gets even steeper discounts during these events. Console stores run the same sales around the same time of year, plus Xbox Game Pass and Playstation Plus members often get exclusive extra discounts on Ark DLC all year round. If you’re a console player, you can also check the Xbox Store or Playstation Store regularly for flash sales that cut the cost of Ark Genesis Part 2 by 40% or more outside of seasonal events. I once picked up the entire Genesis season pass for $12 during a Steam Winter Sale a couple years back, so waiting just a couple months for a sale can save you a ton of money if you don’t need to play the DLC right away. If you own the base game on Game Pass, you’ll also get regular exclusive discounts on all Ark DLC, including Genesis Part 2, even outside of major sale windows.
Is Genesis Part 2 Worth the Asking Price?
Whether Genesis Part 2 is worth the cost depends almost entirely on your playstyle and how much time you’ve already put into Ark. If you’re a long-time fan who has played through the base game and other core expansions like Aberration and Extinction, it’s absolutely worth the cost. It wraps up the game’s entire story arc, adds over 10 new unique creatures, a massive new biome to explore, and new endgame PVE and PVP content that will keep you playing for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours. Genesis Part 2 is best for players who have already completed most of the base game and other core expansions, as it assumes you’re familiar with core Ark mechanics and the existing story. If you’re a brand new player who just picked up the base game last week, you’re better off holding off on buying Genesis Part 2 until you’ve gotten through most of the base game content first. If you’re on the fence, you can watch free playthroughs online to see if the new creatures, biomes, and story beats fit what you like about Ark before you spend any money. Even at full $19.99 price, most players get well over 50 hours of playtime out of the DLC, which works out to less than $0.40 per hour of entertainment, a way better value than most new game releases.
At the end of the day, how much is Ark Genesis Part 2 depends on what platform you play on, whether you catch it on sale, and if you need any extra add-ons like the season pass or console subscriptions. At full price, it’s a solid investment for any dedicated Ark fan, but waiting for a seasonal sale can get you the same content for a fraction of the cost. Take a minute to check your local platform store for current pricing, and don’t forget to double check your cart to avoid paying for extra content you don’t need. Whether you’re playing through the story solo or exploring the new biome with friends, Genesis Part 2 delivers some of the most fun content the original Ark has to offer.