Four categories, not one DLC list
The base map, free expansion maps, paid story packs and a total conversion do different jobs. Keeping those categories separate makes the directory more useful than a list of every item with “ARK” in its title. All entries here concern Survival Evolved, with mobile differences called out rather than assumed away. [S2] [W6]
| Maps & DLC | Type | Environment | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Island | Base game | The original island | Steam |
 Scorched Earth | Paid expansions | Desert & extreme heat | Steam |
 Aberration | Paid expansions | Underground & radiation | Steam |
 Extinction | Paid expansions | Ruined Earth | Steam |
| Genesis: Part 1 | Paid expansions | A world of biomes | Steam |
| Genesis: Part 2 | Paid expansions | A high-tech seed ship | Steam |
 The Center | Free maps | Oceans & floating islands | Steam |
 Ragnarok | Free maps | Highlands & wide horizons | Steam |
 Valguero | Free maps | Valleys & hidden depths | Steam |
 Crystal Isles | Free maps | Crystal archipelagos | Steam |
 Lost Island | Free maps | Ruins & wilderness | Steam |
 Fjordur | Free maps | Norse realms | Steam |
| Aquatica | Paid expansions | Underwater anniversary expansion | Steam DLC ↗ |
13 · maps shown
The Island and the free expansion maps
The Island is the default starting story ARK. The six free expansion maps provide alternative environments without requiring a story Season Pass on PC and console ASE. They are additional worlds, not a fixed difficulty ladder. [W6]
| Free map | Orientation from the research | Choosing it for |
|---|---|---|
| The Center | Large ocean areas, floating island and caves | A different land-and-water layout |
| Ragnarok | Broad, varied fantasy landscapes | A wide range of terrain |
| Valguero | Valleys and substantial underground spaces | Surface and underground exploration |
| Crystal Isles | Crystal-themed archipelagos | Island scenery and exploration |
| Lost Island | Large map with prominent ruins | Wilderness and ruins |
| Fjordur | Norse-inspired realms | A different thematic setting |
The last column is an editorial orientation, not a ranking of safety or performance. The right map for a new player also depends on the host, rates and available help.
Paid story packs and bundles
| Content | Environment | Common purchase context in the research |
|---|---|---|
| Scorched Earth | Desert, heat and desert threats | Survival Evolved Season Pass |
| Aberration | Underground, radiation and vertical hazards | Survival Evolved Season Pass |
| Extinction | Ruined Earth, corruption and Titans | Survival Evolved Season Pass |
| Genesis: Part 1 | Mission-led simulation biomes | Genesis Season Pass |
| Genesis: Part 2 | High-tech seed ship and later story | Genesis Season Pass |
The source notes that individual pack availability and bundles vary by storefront. Check the live product page and the items already in your library before buying a pass. A map’s existence in the wiki is not proof that it is currently offered as an individual SKU. [S2] [W6]
Story order and optional worlds
For a story-oriented route, the research distinguishes The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction and the Genesis chapters as the main sequence. The free expansion maps are listed separately from that canon sequence. You do not need to treat every free world as the next chapter after The Island. [W6]
Explorer Notes help connect the narrative. If the goal is simply to build with friends, the host’s rules and the landscape may matter more to your choice than story order.
Aquatica
Aquatica is the water-themed anniversary expansion for ASE. The supplied research records launch news around July 15, 2025, and the community classification treats it separately from the main story-map sequence. [S3] [W6]
Its later official-server support was described for a limited window. That historical exception must not be rewritten as “all Evolved official servers are back,” nor as a guarantee of availability today. Check dated news for the exact map and period before planning around it.
Primitive+ is a total conversion
Primitive+ changes a large portion of gameplay rather than adding an ordinary destination map. Its content does not simply transfer into standard vanilla servers. Read the conversion and server requirements before making it the basis of a group’s playthrough. [W6]
Maps, ownership and transfers
Owning an expansion and being permitted to transfer into a destination are different questions. A cluster can restrict characters, items or creatures even where the underlying game permits a transfer mechanism. Verify the destination map is enabled and read the host’s transfer policy. [W9]
A useful pre-install check is: correct ARK product, required content owned, map installed, server configuration compatible, and intended transfers permitted. This sequence is an editorial checklist rather than a claim that every platform presents the same menus.
Content that belongs to Ascended
Do not use Ascended-only products as Evolved purchases. The project research gives Lost Colony, Astraeos and Bob’s Tall Tales as examples of the boundary. Similar names and returning environments are not proof that a particular release works in both games. [W7]
For product identity, read Evolved vs Ascended. For encounters by map, continue to bosses and endgame.