Ark Nova

Orchestrate the ultimate modern wildlife sanctuary in a massive, deep-strategy economic engine that utilizes an ingenious conveyor-belt action matrix and converging scoring tracks for a brilliant competitive eco-puzzle.

Ark Nova (designed by Mathias Wigand and published by Feuerland Spiele / Capstone Games) stands as a monumental heavy-strategy hit, tasking players with planning and designing a modern, scientifically managed zoo. Moving entirely away from casual, light-hearted animal simulators, this deeply intricate title balances commercial appeal with strict environmental ethics. The core objective is a demanding, multi-layered optimization puzzle: players construct specialized enclosures, accommodate diverse animal species from across the globe, and sponsor vital international conservation projects to secure global prestige.

The primary strategic triumph lies in its brilliant five-card action conveyor layout. As highlighted on your personal zoo map board, you possess five core action cards—Cards, Build, Animals, Association, and Sponsors—slotted into numbered bays from 1 to 5. The strength of an action depends entirely on the slot it currently occupies; once an action is triggered, it slips all the way back to slot 1, pushing your other options forward and dynamically increasing their value. Winning requires masterfully timing this action loop while managing two entirely separate, opposing scoring markers: an Appeal track tracking ticket revenue, and a Conservation track tracking scientific progress. The moment these two markers cross paths anywhere on the central board, the game end is instantly triggered, forcing a final math showdown. It is a masterclass in modern heavy euro design, blending open drafting, polyomino spatial tile placement, and a massive 255-card deck into a deeply engaging 90-to-150 minute strategy marathon.

Game Specs at a Glance:
Age Range: 14+ Years
Publisher: Capstone Games / Feuerland Spiele
Play Time: 90-150 Minutes
Player Count: 1-4 Players
Complexity: High / Heavy (Action Retrieval, Tile Placement, Set Collection, Converging Scoring Tracks)
What's in the Box?

• 1 Central Game Board
• 4 Dual-Sided Player Zoo Map Boards
• 212 Zoo Deck Cards
• 11 Final Scoring Cards
• 12 Base Conservation Cards
• 70 Custom Polyomino Enclosure Tiles
• 12 Unique Multi-Hex Unique Building Tiles
• 20 partner Zoos & 12 Universities Tokens
• 100+ Custom Wooden Player Tokens and Counters
• 2 Custom Plastic Resource Organizer Trays
• 1 Detailed Rulebook
• 1 Icon Reference Guide