Lost Ark (video game)

Lost Ark is primarily focused on player versus environment (PvE) and exploration (questing, achievement/collectible hunting, crafting, etc.). It features player versus player (PvP) elements as well. Players start by creating customizing their character, by choosing their appearance and from one of the six archetype classes — Warrior, Martial artist, Gunner, Mage, Assassin, Specialist — followed by one of their advanced classes. Reaching level 50 unlocks access to tiered endgame dungeons and raids, at which point most further progress is tied to the character's gear score. Classes Originally, 18 characters were introduced, but only 12 of them were released. Since then, the number has increased to 26. Combat System The responsive and action-oriented combat system in Lost Ark is widely acclaimed as one of its defining features. It emphasizes the creation of fluid combos by chaining together various skills and attacks to effectively damage adversaries. With each class offering a diverse array of skills, players can experience distinct gameplay dynamics, as they adapt their abilities to combat sequences. Through the game's skill tree system, players can progressively unlock and enhance their character's abilities, enabling personalized customization to align with individual playstyles. This not only enhances the complexity of combat but also empowers players to refine their skills in accordance with their preferences. == Development and release ==

Lost Ark development began in 2011 under the codename "Project T". The game uses Unreal Engine 3. It originally only supported DirectX 9 but was updated to also support DirectX 11 prior to the western release in 2022. Lost Ark was fully released in South Korea on December 4, 2019, and in North American, South American, and European regions on February 11, 2022, with Amazon Games serving as the global publisher. Users that pre-purchased one of four founder's packs could play 3 days early on February 8, 2022. The game was initially unavailable in Belgium and the Netherlands due to the countries' stringent loot box regulations, with the latter later reversing its decision. Within twenty-four hours of its release, Lost Ark became the second most played game on Steam. In 2021, there were plans between Smilegate and game publisher to launch Lost Ark in Taiwan. In January 2023, the Taiwanese servers' launch was put on hold, and moved to a May 30, 2024 release date. The game's Japanese server was closed down on March 20, 2024. == Reception ==

Lost Ark received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator platform Metacritic. PC Gamer liked the combat abilities, but criticized the story: "Lost Ark can be a captivating adventure, which makes it a shame that the main story is simply not that compelling. The central cast of characters are a largely one-dimensional carousel of exhaustingly noble heroes and villains." == Notes ==