Ark Nova

About

Ark Nova is a multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Dire Wolf and was released on June 20, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Ark Nova is a strategic game where you design and manage a modern zoo, building enclosures and housing diverse animals. Players support global conservation projects while balancing appeal and scientific reputation through 255 unique cards. Success depends on careful planning and upgrading actions to create the ultimate zoological establishment.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 265 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

Excellent digital adaptation of the board game with a clean and intuitive UI.
Challenging AI and various game modes, including solo challenges, enhance replayability.
Great way to learn the board game mechanics, making it accessible for new players.

AI difficulty can be frustratingly high, especially for average players, making it hard to win even on easy settings.
The UI can feel cluttered and overwhelming for newcomers, with some important information hidden behind multiple clicks.
Occasional bugs and performance issues, particularly with the AI and during multiplayer sessions.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay has seen significant improvements since its original release, with enhanced mechanics that allow for more dynamic interactions and smoother experiences, particularly in the digital version. While the game can be overwhelming for newcomers due to its complex icons and mechanics, it remains highly addictive and engaging for seasoned players. The developer's responsiveness to issues and updates further enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- “There have been some tweaks since the original release, and the gameplay has gotten so much better.”
- “The gameplay is very addictive; even after numerous plays with the physical game, I keep coming back to the digital version for a quick fix.”
- “Incredibly smooth gameplay and satisfying sound effects.”
- “Overwhelming at the beginning with so many icons and mechanics to follow.”
- “Highly recommend for board gamers, but casuals may struggle with the more advanced game mechanics.”
- “Some gameplay options to fix/improve the 'tight schedule challenge'.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
21%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beauty and quality, with many users noting the impressive art, animations, and sound design that enhance the overall experience. However, some players expressed a desire for lower graphics options to improve performance on less powerful devices, and a few mentioned minor disappointments in certain areas. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, especially for a digital adaptation of a board game.
- “It's graphically beautiful, the sounds and ambient music is spot-on, and the special particle effects with every click or tap is a delight.”
- “The art is beautiful, the graphics are great, and I haven't noticed any sort of bugs.”
- “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.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Overall, user reviews indicate a mixed experience with stability; while some players report significant bugs, lag, and freezing issues that render the game unplayable after extended sessions, others express surprise at its relatively low number of bugs for an early access title.
- “It being nearly bug-free is a welcome surprise considering it just came out.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, which is impressive for a new release.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the experience.”
- “The program is very clunky and buggy.”
- “FPS dropped, and after some playtime, the game becomes unplayable: everything lags and freezes.”
- “A bit buggy in some places where I clicked, and the screen just freezes for a few seconds without doing anything.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its pleasant and immersive quality, complementing the gameplay with a nice soundtrack and crisp sound effects. Users appreciate the ambient music and special audio effects that enhance the overall experience, contributing to a smooth and engaging game flow.
- “It's graphically beautiful, the sounds and ambient music are spot-on, and the special particle effects with every click or tap are a delight.”
- “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.”
- “Challenge mode keeps things fresh, with just the right amount of difficulty, an intuitive UI, a nice soundtrack, and plenty of ways to control how you play.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game boasts high replayability, attributed to its engaging multiplayer options, including a non-attack mode and various gameplay variations. Players find the experience enjoyable enough to return to repeatedly, highlighting its enduring appeal.
- “The replayability of this game is endless.”
- “Fun multiplayer with a 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.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant optimization issues, particularly related to memory and performance, even on high-end gaming PCs. This has led to concerns that the game struggles to run smoothly, particularly in AI matches, suggesting a need for better optimization.
- “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.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the grinding aspect effectively streamlines the more tedious elements of gameplay, such as icon tracking and card effect calculations, making the overall experience more enjoyable.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find the grind to be a major chore, taking away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “The amount of time required to level up is frustrating and feels like a never-ending task.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express frustration with the story's difficulty levels, noting that even on easy mode, the AI presents a significant challenge, detracting from the overall experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting it as a fantastic and immersive digital adaptation of a modern board game classic.
- “A fantastic and atmospheric digital version of the modern board game classic.”