Ark Nova
- December 5, 2024
- Dire Wolf
Get on SteamIn 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.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Excellent adaptation of the board game with a visually appealing interface and smooth gameplay.
- The AI is challenging and provides a fun experience, making it highly replayable with various modes and scenarios.
- The game includes a helpful tutorial and is generally bug-free, enhancing the overall experience for both new and experienced players.
- The UI can be cluttered and difficult to navigate, with important information often hidden behind multiple tabs and pop-ups.
- There is a lack of online matchmaking options, making it hard to find opponents quickly compared to other platforms.
- Some players find the AI to be too easy at lower difficulties, and there are requests for faster AI turn speeds.
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many users finding them surprisingly appealing for a digital board game, especially in an early access version. While some noted minor disappointments, the overall quality is considered decent, featuring clear visuals, smooth animations, and high-quality sound effects that enhance the gaming experience.
“Graphically, quite satisfying.”
“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. The 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.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay in the early access release of Ark Nova is praised for its smoothness and improved user interface compared to the board game, enhanced by a helpful three-step tutorial. Players appreciate the developer's responsiveness in addressing issues through patches and updates, contributing to an overall satisfying experience.
“Developer is pretty good at responding to issues and posting patches and updates to fix bugs, improve UI/scaling issues, and overall gameplay.”
“My thoughts on the Ark Nova early access release so far: overall, the UI is wonderful, making the gameplay much smoother and faster than the board game.”
“Incredibly smooth gameplay and satisfying sound effects.”
“The gameplay feels unpolished and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“There are numerous bugs that disrupt the gameplay experience, making it frustrating at times.”
“The mechanics are clunky and not intuitive, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report significant optimization issues, particularly related to memory and performance, even on high-end gaming PCs. This suggests that the game's optimization may not be adequately addressing resource management, leading to subpar performance in AI matches.
“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.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong replayability due to its engaging multiplayer options, including a non-attack mode and various gameplay variations, which keep the experience fresh and enjoyable even after multiple sessions.
“Fun multiplayer with non-attack mode and variability makes it very replayable.”
“After playing a few games, I can see the allure of this game and the high replayability it has to offer.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making it feel repetitive after just a few playthroughs.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return, as side quests feel uninspired.”
“While the multiplayer mode is enjoyable, the single-player experience offers little variety, leading to a lack of replayability.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Despite the typical issues associated with early access games, this title has been noted for its impressive stability, with users reporting it to be nearly bug-free at launch, which is a pleasant surprise.
“It's nearly bug-free, which is a welcome surprise considering it just came out.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it really enhances my enjoyment.”
“Most early access games are buggy dumpster fires initially.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality, complementing the smooth gameplay and beautiful animations. Players appreciate the crisp sound effects and the engaging background music that enhances the overall experience.
“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 background music perfectly complements the gameplay, creating an immersive atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“The sound design, including the music, elevates the overall experience, making every moment in the game feel dynamic and exciting.”
