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Ark Nova

90%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
optimization, stability
90% User Score Based on 166 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $22.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$22.99

About

In Ark Nova, players design a modern zoo and support global conservation projects, using cards to build enclosures, accommodate animals, and increase their zoo's appeal and scientific reputation. With 255 unique cards available, players must strategize and upgrade their actions to create the most successful zoo and collect the most conservation points. This digital adaptation of the award-winning 2021 tabletop board game brings the challenging and scientific management aspect to a wider audience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot
Ark Nova screenshot

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 166 reviews
graphics5 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game is a beautiful adaptation of the original board game, with impressive graphics and a well-designed UI that enhances gameplay.
  • It offers a variety of play modes, including multiple levels of AI opponents and solo challenges, making it highly replayable.
  • Despite being in Early Access, the game is surprisingly stable with minimal bugs, providing a smooth gaming experience.
  • The tutorial is not sufficient for complete beginners, making it difficult for new players to grasp the game mechanics without prior knowledge.
  • The UI can feel cramped and cluttered, with important information often hidden behind multiple tabs, making navigation cumbersome.
  • There is a lack of online matchmaking options, which can lead to unbalanced games and a scarcity of available players.
  • graphics
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users noting that they exceed expectations for a digital board game. While the graphics are not the primary focus, they are described as clear, pleasant, and well-animated, contributing to a smooth gameplay experience. Some minor disappointments were mentioned, but overall, the art and visual quality are considered quite satisfying, especially for an early access title.

    • “The graphics are prettier than I was expecting.”
    • “But I was pleasantly surprised by some of the menu graphics and animations.”
    • “Game flow is smooth, graphics are clear and pleasant, animations are beautiful and perfectly timed so they don't hamper you as you play, sound effects are crisp and of great quality, and you also get great background music.”
    • “The graphics are also a minor disappointment.”
    • “Digital versions of board games are usually kind of ugly; that's just part of the nature of translating a game played with cardboard tiles into a medium that is capable of sophisticated graphics.”
    • “It is still a digital board game, so the graphics quality isn't a top priority, but I actually think it looks pretty decent, especially for an early access version.”
  • gameplay
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the early access release is praised for its smoothness and satisfying sound effects, enhanced by a well-designed user interface that improves upon the board game experience. A three-step tutorial effectively introduces players to the game mechanics, and the developer is noted for being responsive to issues and regularly updating the game to address bugs and enhance overall gameplay.

    • “Incredibly smooth gameplay and satisfying sound effects.”
    • “Overall, the UI is wonderful, making the gameplay much smoother and faster than the board game.”
    • “This review is based off of a few hours of gameplay on day 1 of early access.”
    • “The included three-step tutorial helped me understand the mechanics of the game.”
    • “Developer is pretty good at responding to issues and posting patches and updates to fix bugs, improve UI/scaling issues, and overall gameplay.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report significant optimization issues, particularly related to memory and performance, even on high-end gaming PCs. This has led to frustrations, especially when playing against AI in what should be less demanding games, suggesting a need for better optimization overall.

    • “One substantial issue is some sort of memory/performance problem I experience in every game I play against AI.”
    • “It could be just an issue with my machine, but since I have quite a powerful gaming PC that handles high-performance video games just fine, I would expect it to be able to handle a card game.”
    • “It seems to be an optimization or memory problem.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Despite the common expectation of early access games being riddled with bugs, this title has been noted for its impressive stability, launching with minimal issues. This has been a pleasant surprise for players, setting it apart from typical early access experiences.

    • “It being nearly bug-free is a welcome surprise considering it just came out.”
    • “Most early access games are buggy dumpster fires initially.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players highlight the game's high replayability, particularly due to its engaging multiplayer options and the inclusion of a non-attack mode, which adds variability and keeps the experience fresh.

    • “After playing a few games, I can see the allure of this game and the high replayability it has to offer.”
    • “Fun multiplayer with non-attack mode and variability makes it very replayable.”
  • music
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised for its quality, complementing the smooth game flow and clear graphics. Players appreciate the crisp sound effects and the engaging background music, which enhances the overall gaming experience without being intrusive.

    • “The game flow is smooth, the graphics are clear and pleasant, and the animations are beautiful and perfectly timed, enhancing the gameplay experience. The sound effects are crisp and of great quality, complemented by an excellent background music score.”
    • “The game features a smooth flow, clear and pleasant graphics, and beautifully timed animations that enhance the experience without hindering gameplay. The sound effects are crisp and high-quality, paired with fantastic background music.”

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