Ark Nova

Name: Ark Nova
Price: 10.99 USD
Rating: 4.8 (552 reviews)
Author: Dire Wolf Digital

Board

$10.99 · Designed for iPad

552 Ratings
Ages

4+
Years
Category

Board
Developer

Dire Wolf Digital
Language

EN
+ 8 More
Size

676
MB

Plan and build a modern, scientifically managed zoo to support conservation projects in an acclaimed strategy board game. In Ark Nova, you will plan and design a modern, scientifically managed zoo. With the ultimate goal of owning the most successful zoological establishment, you will build enclosures, accommodate animals, and support conservation projects all over the world. Specialists and unique buildings will help you in achieving this goal. At the heart of Ark Nova are 255 cards featuring animals, specialists, unique enclosures, and conservation projects, each with a particular ability. Use them to increase the appeal and scientific reputation of your zoo and to collect conservation points. Each player has a set of action cards, which you will use and upgrade to carry out your plans. Each player has a set of five action cards to manage their gameplay, and the power of an action is determined by the slot the card currently occupies. The cards are: BUILD: Allows you to build standard or special enclosures, kiosks, and pavilions. ANIMALS: Allows you to accommodate animals in your zoo. CARDS: Allows you to gain new zoo cards (animals, sponsors, and conservation project cards). ASSOCIATION: Allows your association workers to carry out different tasks. SPONSORS: Allows you to play a sponsor card in your zoo or to raise money. With high replayability and rich components, Ark Nova provides a remarkable gaming experience that will bring the game to the table again and again.

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

out of 5

552 Ratings

Good
Oct 14

onmyboat24
This is such a complicated game for many people, so like me, I think some people would find it difficult to play when everything is so small.I do so much better when I’m able to see everything all at once without having to click on each card to see what it does.But it’s still a great alternative to playing solo in my opinion, especially for a game I have trouble getting to the table because of its length.

Developer Response
Hello, we're glad you're enjoying the game overall! We're always open to feedback regarding the UI — especially on mobile devices — and we will pass your feedback along to our team.
Good
Oct 14

onmyboat24

This is such a complicated game for many people, so like me, I think some people would find it difficult to play when everything is so small.I do so much better when I’m able to see everything all at once without having to click on each card to see what it does.But it’s still a great alternative to playing solo in my opinion, especially for a game I have trouble getting to the table because of its length.
Developer Response Oct 16
Hello, we're glad you're enjoying the game overall! We're always open to feedback regarding the UI — especially on mobile devices — and we will pass your feedback along to our team.
Generally, just. ok and buggy
Oct 12

ludus777
When the game doesn’t glitch, it plays OK. AI does some generally suboptimal play to just interfere with players, such as one ai opponent needlessly getting cards or sponsoring for cash, just so the next ai can force the break, especially if you are over the card limit. The real issue is random bugs. Example is situation where it let me keep cards over the limit, aaaannnd then also never let me access the cards. A two bugs for the price of one. Also, it frequently (1 x for ~3 games) won’t let you do valid actions. Especially when you get extra actions. Could I provide more specifics? No. After all, they don’t pay me to test their products and, frankly, it is easier to resign and restart or just play solo on board game arena. Shame, because the app looks pretty. And, at least, when not glitching, it plays better than just normal solo. Hopefully they will sort stuff out quickly.

Developer Response
Hello, we're sorry you've been experiencing bugs, but we appreciate you taking the time to report them. We've passed your feedback along to our team.
Generally, just. ok and buggy
Oct 12

ludus777

When the game doesn’t glitch, it plays OK. AI does some generally suboptimal play to just interfere with players, such as one ai opponent needlessly getting cards or sponsoring for cash, just so the next ai can force the break, especially if you are over the card limit. The real issue is random bugs. Example is situation where it let me keep cards over the limit, aaaannnd then also never let me access the cards. A two bugs for the price of one. Also, it frequently (1 x for ~3 games) won’t let you do valid actions. Especially when you get extra actions. Could I provide more specifics? No. After all, they don’t pay me to test their products and, frankly, it is easier to resign and restart or just play solo on board game arena. Shame, because the app looks pretty. And, at least, when not glitching, it plays better than just normal solo. Hopefully they will sort stuff out quickly.
Developer Response Oct 16
Hello, we're sorry you've been experiencing bugs, but we appreciate you taking the time to report them. We've passed your feedback along to our team.
So close to great, hopeful for future
Jun 22

gcouweleers
I’ve played this game quite a bit both in person and on Board Game Arena. Seeing this game on mobile as a dedicated app was such an awesome surprise! So far it’s been a welcome experience to play the game with a modern design, but I have a few issues.1. The board state is really difficult to read. This is a game that requires constant attention to different trackers/aspects of the game. On mobile I can not see my zoo ma as default… I have to manually bring up the conservation board, zoo cards/reputation/conservation tracker, and my own cards. I cannot view that information simultaneously - which makes it pain to track interactions and break points. I need a larger view for default game state - it is just too much clicking around to have to view basic info I need all the time.At the same time I sympathize for the UX designer tasked with the above ask - it’s a lot of info to cram into a mobile view, but frankly it’s not a great experience.2. When creating games with friends, it seems ridiculous we all need to be on the app at the exact same time…That said, have high hopes for this app because I love ark nova and the overall design is clean, modern and enjoyable.

Developer Response
Hello, we appreciate your feedback, and we've passed all of your suggestions to the team. You're correct that it's a lot of information to fit on screen! Yesterday, we released a patch with various improvements to the UI, and we will continue to monitor player feedback in the interest of making additional improvements.
So close to great, hopeful for future
Jun 22

gcouweleers

I’ve played this game quite a bit both in person and on Board Game Arena. Seeing this game on mobile as a dedicated app was such an awesome surprise! So far it’s been a welcome experience to play the game with a modern design, but I have a few issues.1. The board state is really difficult to read. This is a game that requires constant attention to different trackers/aspects of the game. On mobile I can not see my zoo ma as default… I have to manually bring up the conservation board, zoo cards/reputation/conservation tracker, and my own cards. I cannot view that information simultaneously - which makes it pain to track interactions and break points. I need a larger view for default game state - it is just too much clicking around to have to view basic info I need all the time.At the same time I sympathize for the UX designer tasked with the above ask - it’s a lot of info to cram into a mobile view, but frankly it’s not a great experience.2. When creating games with friends, it seems ridiculous we all need to be on the app at the exact same time…That said, have high hopes for this app because I love ark nova and the overall design is clean, modern and enjoyable.
Developer Response Jun 26
Hello, we appreciate your feedback, and we've passed all of your suggestions to the team. You're correct that it's a lot of information to fit on screen! Yesterday, we released a patch with various improvements to the UI, and we will continue to monitor player feedback in the interest of making additional improvements.
Great Game, Flawed App
Aug 27

^^****^^
The game crashes a lot. Not a big deal since I can reopen and it picks up where it left off. A bigger problem is that I encountered a bug several times where the app prompts me to “Resolve your effects”, but offers no options to resolve. This happened most recently while stopped at the marker which instructs me to discard one final scoring card. However, the window to allow me to select a card was never displayed. I tried toggling all the windows, clicking on the final scoring cards themselves, reverting my turn then closing the app then reopening and trying again. Nothing worked. I was dependent on the game opening the correct window but it never did and I had to abort the game.
Great Game, Flawed App
Aug 27

^^****^^

The game crashes a lot. Not a big deal since I can reopen and it picks up where it left off. A bigger problem is that I encountered a bug several times where the app prompts me to “Resolve your effects”, but offers no options to resolve. This happened most recently while stopped at the marker which instructs me to discard one final scoring card. However, the window to allow me to select a card was never displayed. I tried toggling all the windows, clicking on the final scoring cards themselves, reverting my turn then closing the app then reopening and trying again. Nothing worked. I was dependent on the game opening the correct window but it never did and I had to abort the game.

General bug fixes and compatibility updates.

Version 1.0.5

Sep 18

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Game Center

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Family Sharing

Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.