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The developer behind Ark: Survival Evolved continues to support the game with new content, and the most recent patch is a big one. Available now on PC, Update V257 adds gear, creatures, a cave, and a bunch of tweaks and changes. The update is "one of the largest to date," according to developer Studio Wildcard. Headlining the update are a number of changes to the game's TEK Tier, sci-fi endgame content. Players can now create a TEK cloning chamber to clone creatures, a TEK saddle to ride Megalodons, a TEK turret that's an enhanced auto-turret, and a TEK sticky grenade.

In addition, the update adds a high-level cave in an active volcano. By traveling to this cave, players can access the Ascension mechanic, another addition in this update. The Ascension mechanic is essentially a way of leveling up to make the game's world more difficult. Players must beat every boss, complete the cave, and defeat a final boss to Ascend.

Four new creatures are also added to the game. The Apis Lithohermaea is a giant bee which wields its stinger as its main weapon; the Kentrosaurus Aethiopicus looks like a smaller, more dangerous stegosaurus; the Liopleurodon Magicus grants luck if players can tame it; and the Daeodon Comedentis is described as a "Hell Pig."
A list of added features is below, and you can read the full patch notes here:

  • Structure: TEK Cloning Chamber
  • Structure: TEK Megalodon Saddle
  • Structure: TEK Turret
  • Weapon: Tek Grenade
  • TEK Cave and Volcano--The Volcano finally receives its long overdue, scorching redesign--and now leads to the entrance to the TEK Cave.
  • Ascension Game Progression
  • More UI overhauls
  • New Hairstyle and Facial Hair
  • Approximately 20+ New Explorer Notes
  • 15 new music tracks, per-biome and situational
  • Full console-style gamepad functionality (i.e. same as console versions)
  • Alpha Megalodon and APEX Loot for all Alpha creatures.

Source: GameSpot