As someone with well over 1500 hours in Ark:SE, I was eagerly awaiting this show for a couple of years. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I have watched the currently released 6 episodes and can't wait for the next part!
I love all the characters, and seeing so many familiar names and faces from the in-game explorer notes was really enjoyable. They have a really good mix of different cultures, ages, genders, etc. Making for a wide array of backstories, motivations, personalities, and relationships. I have seen some complaints about Helena's character, but I like her as a heroine because she's not perfect by any means. She's traumatised, she's sensitive, and she's still learning her strengths. If she was a perfect saviour from the get-go, there wouldn't be a show! Excited to see her grow and develop with the others.
The villains have real motive, and are shown to be complex in their own right with their backstories, and we'll only see more of this in part II with Rockwell, I think. Having a variety of different villains working together or apart makes for some interesting stakes and plot twists.
I also really liked the animation style. It gave me a nostalgia for a lot of my favourite cartoons growing up. Proper 2D animation is rare these days, and it definitely felt like the right medium to tell this story. There are some great fight scenes, lots of animated emotion, and lovely landscapes that truly make me feel like I'm on the Island. It was also unexpectedly gory, not holding back on blood and guts. I feel like that was the right choice for such a violent setting, and I respect how they committed to the rawness of life on the Island, and for warriors.
I enjoyed the pacing of the flashbacks that some others seem to have complaints about. We are learning about these characters, what lives and deaths brought each of them to the Island and what drives them. I think each flashback came at the right time and gave us new insights into their choices and feelings. I enjoy good character work, especially since the main draw of this show for me is to flesh out my understanding of those who left us their stories in the explorer notes in-game.
And of course, the reason most of us are even here...does it feel like Ark, the game we all know and love (to hate)? I am happy to say that between the sound effects, the settings, the dino types and the tasks we seem the employed in (mining dodics & ankys anyone?), and the dramatic appearances of certain dinos (no spoilers!), I felt right at home in the world of Ark: The Animated Series.
The one thing that at times detracted slightly for me was a few lacklustre voice performances, but they were in the minority among some truly great performances (David Tennant & Gerard Butler's come to mind).
Lastly, it's a shame to see people reviewing this poorly because they feel like it has a 'political agenda' they don't agree with -- will there ever be a time when diversity doesn't have to 'political', and we can just enjoy the fact that not every story features the same kind of main character? Why is it ever a bad thing to see a mix of cultures, colours, genders, sexualities etc. On screen? It makes zero sense to me that people would be upset about this. Just enjoy all the wonderfully complex facets of humanity -- it's a show about /people/, that's all. Oh, and dinos of course.
Overall, a really fantastic adaptation, considering that it's not the first game most people would consider for a character/story rich television adaptation. But I think the animators, actors, and creators have put a lot of heart into the stories they're telling here and it shows. There are enough Ark easter-eggs and mechanics to keep players-turned-watchers interested, and enough intrigue, development, and stakes to seal the deal. Super excited for later this year when we get more!
