Ark Nova

Ark Nova is the acclaimed zoo‑building strategy game where players construct habitats, manage conservation projects, and develop card‑driven action engines. Ideal for 1–4 players, 90–150 min playtime, with deep strategic planning and satisfying progression.

Design your dream zoo before conservation collapses—each enclosure, animal, and project shapes your legacy! Ark Nova challenges you to balance ecological responsibility with visitor appeal in a race to excel both sustainably and scientifically.

How the Game Works

Players build and expand zoos using a card‑based action system: play cards to construct enclosures, introduce animals, hire specialists, and support conservation projects. The position of each action card determines its power, so timing and placement are crucial.

Your zoo earns appeal from animals and habitats, while global conservation efforts earn you conservation points. The winner is determined by reaching the cross‑roads of appeal and conservation—creating a strategic tug‑of‑war across every playthrough.

Why You’ll Love It

• ⚙️ Innovative action‑selection engine rewards timing and flexibility
• 🎨 Beautiful artwork, engaging animal cards, and thematic design
• ♻ Huge replayability with 255+ varied cards and custom setups
• 🧩 Solo- and multiplayer-compatible with evolving strategies across modes

Game Details

• 🧩 Players: 1–4
• ⏱️ Playtime: 90–150 min
• 🎂 Age: 14+
• 🗂️ Genre: Strategy / Economic / Environmental
• 🎯 Complexity: Heavy (4/5)
• 🔁 Replayability: Very High
• 🎮 Great for fans of: Terraforming Mars, Wingspan, Brass

What’s in the Box

• 1 large central zoo board + 4 individual player boards
• 255+ cards (animals, sponsors, conservation projects)
• Varied enclosure tiles, kiosks, and pavilion pieces
• Conservation & appeal markers, dice, cubes, and campaign tokens
• Solo-mode decks, full rulebook, player aids included

How to Play

Watch this clear, step‑by‑step tutorial to learn setup and core mechanics in under 20 minutes.

Review

Check out The Dice Tower’s “Four Squares” review—Oliver East provides an in‑depth look at why Ark Nova excels in depth, design, and satisfaction.

More Reviews

• Dice Tower – full review by Oliver East
• Dice Tower – Oliver East gameplay overview
• Unboxing & setup walkthrough

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