Box front · source
What this is
Ark Nova is a card-driven strategy game about designing a successful modern zoo while supporting conservation projects. Five action cards control building, acquiring animals, working with sponsors, partnering with institutions, and pursuing conservation, and each card becomes stronger the longer it waits between uses. Players balance the appeal of their zoo against conservation progress, with the two scoring tracks eventually meeting to determine the winner.
At a glance
- Players
- 1–4
- Listed play time
- 90–150 minutes
- Minimum age
- 14 and up
- First published
- 2021
- Designer
- Mathias Wigge
- Artists
- Dennis Lohausen, Steffen Bieker, Loïc Billiau
- Publishers
- CMON Global Limited, White Goblin Games, Feuerland Spiele, Hobby World, Cranio Creations, Lautapelit.fi, Super Meeple
- Box size
- 30 × 37 × 7 cm
- Photographs
- 1
Publisher
- CMON Global Limited
- White Goblin Games
- Feuerland SpieleOfficial site
- Hobby WorldOfficial site
- Cranio CreationsOfficial site
- Lautapelit.fiOfficial site
- Super MeepleOfficial site
How players rate Ark Nova
Every dimension is rated on its own. The left column judges the game and higher is better; the right column describes it, where neither end of the scale is the good end.
Player-count fit
How well it plays at each count. Best at 3.
- 1p7.6120 ratings
- 2p8.1120 ratings
- 3p8.7120 ratings
- 4p8.1119 ratings
Every dimension
15 measures. Some judge the game; the rest simply describe it.
How good it is
Judgements, rated out of 10. Higher is better.
- Longevity and replayability7.6/10
- Ease of teach5.1/10
- Gateway friendliness5.7/10
- Component quality7.7/10
- Table presence8.5/10
- Travel friendliness6.4/10
What it's like
Descriptions, not verdicts. Neither end is better.
- Player interactionLow4.5SolitaireConstant
- CutthroatnessCompetitive5.2FriendlyRuthless
- Role of luckMostly skill4.4Chance-drivenPlayer-driven
- Theme integrationStrong7.7Pasted onWoven in
- Rules complexityModerate3.3LightHeavy
- Decision complexityModerate3.0SimpleDemanding
- Language dependencyMinimal2.1No textText-heavy
- Table spaceDining table8.1Lap trayTwo tables
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Rules & files
Rulebooks, FAQs and reference sheets- rulebookArk Nova: RulebookEN · 20 pagesAwaiting publisher permission
Box & shelf
30 × 37 × 7 cm
- Shelf volume
- 7.8 L
- Shelf width used
- 7 cm
- Per Kallax cube
- 4
Source: measured