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Thematic illustration for Ark Nova
StrategyEngine Building

Ark Nova

Develop a zoo through animals, sponsors and conservation projects.

Players1–4 best with 2
Play time90–150 min
Complexity3.7/5 · Hard
Learn & set up45 min

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At the table

Develop a modern zoo through animal exhibits, sponsors and conservation projects. Action strength depends on how long each card has waited in your row.

Play style
Competitive
Suggested age
14+
Time to teach
About 30 min
Time to set up
About 15 min
Player elimination
No

How it plays

Action selectionEngine building

Rules at a glance

Base game. Solo play uses a separate round limit and end condition instead of the multiplayer end-game trigger.

Your goal

Have the highest final score: subtract the appeal target shown by your conservation scoring area from your appeal total.

The flow of play

  1. Choose an action card and carry out its action at the strength of its current position

  2. Move the used card to position one, shifting the intervening cards up, and resolve any triggered break

  3. When appeal and conservation meet or cross in a scoring area, take the prescribed final turns, score end-game cards and compare scores

A quick introduction to the base game. Use your edition’s rulebook for full setup, card effects and exceptions.

Official rules ↗

A feel for the game

heavyanimalssolo friendly
Suggested age
14+
Interaction
Low
Reading
High
Conflict
None
Luck or skill
Mixed
Table space
Large
Downtime
High

Playing times and difficulty are catalog estimates and may vary by group and edition. Consult the official rulebook for complete rules.

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Reading
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Downtime
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Player elimination
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