Card-driven zoo-builder, heavier than TM
BGG · boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/342942
Ark Nova is a medium-heavy game (weight 7/10). It offers a substantial decision tree (8/10) — enough to reward repeated study. Decisions come at a steady pace (7/10) — engaged without being exhausting. There's meaningful but indirect interaction (interaction 5/10) — shared resources, catch-up effects, or watch-and-react moments. Direct attacks are minimal (3/10) — the friction comes from contention, not aggression.
Of every game in our catalog, Ark Nova is closest to SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (95% profile match) but scores lower on input (6 vs. 7).
Every score is on a 0–10 scale. The rubric and methodology behind these numbers is documented in the README.
Ark Nova is a medium-heavy game (weight 7/10). It offers a substantial decision tree (8/10) — enough to reward repeated study. Decisions come at a steady pace (7/10) — engaged without being exhausting.
There's meaningful but indirect interaction (interaction 5/10) — shared resources, catch-up effects, or watch-and-react moments. Direct attacks are minimal (3/10) — the friction comes from contention, not aggression.
Variance is moderate (input 6, output 1/10). Catch-up is moderate (4/10).
The theme is well-integrated (7/10). The engine-building arc is strong (engine 9/10) — early-game investments pay off in explosive late-game turns.
Variance is moderate (input 6, output 1/10). Catch-up is moderate (4/10).
The theme is well-integrated (7/10). The engine-building arc is strong (engine 9/10) — early-game investments pay off in explosive late-game turns.
Ranked by weighted Euclidean distance across the 12-axis profile, using the default research-weighted lens. Click any game to see its full profile.
Answers derived directly from Ark Nova's 12-axis profile.
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