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Crystal Isles - ARK Expansion Map Header Image
Crystal Isles - ARK Expansion Map
DLC
(released 5 years ago)
Studio Wildcard
Instinct Games
Efecto Studios
Virtual Basement LLC
Snail Games USA
Studio Wildcard
TL;DR

It is an expansion map for ARK: Survival Evolved featuring a vibrant 150 sq km landscape filled with unique biomes and a new dinosaur to tame. Players can build bases in diverse environments, explore underwater caverns, and engage in aerial combat with the Tropeognathus. This DLC adds new content while enhancing the existing ARK experience.

View on Steam

Genres:
Adventure
RPG
Survival
Tags:
Action
Survival
Indie
RPG
Adventure
Massively Multiplayer
Dinosaurs
Likely Inspirations:
ARK: Survival Evolved (base game)
Minecraft
No Man's Sky
Terraria
The Forest
Steam Review Analysis – Total (updated Jun 5, 2025, 6:41 PM)
Disclaimer: This analysis is independently conducted and is not affiliated with Valve or Steam.
Review Summary - 3,155
74%
Mostly Positive

0

0

0%

Purchased on Steam

2350

805

100%

Purchased Elsewhere

0% Primarily Play on Deck

Conclusion

The reviews for Crystal Isles continue to highlight a mix of appreciation for its beautiful visuals and significant frustration due to gameplay issues, download problems, and a lack of unique content compared to its modded predecessor. While some players find enjoyment in the map, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, particularly regarding performance and design flaws, as many express dissatisfaction with the changes made from the original mod.

Strongly Positive
Beautiful Map

Many players appreciate the stunning visuals and landscapes of the Crystal Isles map.

~7%
Positive
Fun Gameplay

Some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite the issues, highlighting the fun aspects of the map.

~5%
Community Support

Players appreciate the community's efforts in troubleshooting and sharing solutions for common issues.

~2%
Map Size

The large size of the map is noted positively, allowing for exploration and adventure.

~1%
Neutral / Mixed Opinions
Negative
Lack of Unique Content

Players express disappointment over the absence of unique creatures and features that were present in the mod version.

~4%
Strongly Negative
Gameplay Issues

Numerous players report frustrating gameplay experiences due to bugs and performance problems.

~7%
Download Problems

Several reviews mention issues with downloading or accessing the map, leading to player frustration.

~7%
Overall Disappointment

A significant number of players feel let down by the map's execution compared to expectations.

~3%
Performance Issues

Many players report performance problems that hinder their gaming experience.

~1%
Frustrating Spawns

Players criticize the spawn points, which often lead to immediate deaths or difficult situations.

~1%
This analysis is powered by OpenAI’s language models and may occasionally contain inaccuracies. For the most precise details, please consult the reviews directly on the official Steam store page.

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Crystal Isles - ARK Expansion Map Analysis on Niklas Notes