Ark Nova Board Game Playthrough Review

[@Anvilfolk]

Super minor detail, but the side of the enclosures that has the number is the empty side! This way you can easily see what enclosures are available. Then you flip it to the greener/more beautiful side with no number once it's filled :) Makes for a more beautiful zoo in the end!

[@jamielehn6926]

Yeah, I held back on this one too because of the hype. But - the hype is real! Awesome game!

[@vistathon]

Just watching this video in an attempt to make sure I understand it 100% before challenging my friend. Feeling confident that I'm up with the rules, but I noticed the enclosure issue and my OCD forced me to hit the comments section to make sure someone had picked up on it 😆. Good job. Great video btw. Somehow your videos had completely passed me by - New subscriber 👍

[@tlleitner]

@43:20. Partner zoo discounts apply per icon. When Anthony played the elephant, he should have taken a discount of 6 money, not 3 as that animal has 2 Africa icons.

[@JoshChristiane]

Brilliant playthrough, helped me so much in learning the rules. I don't learn from people talking about the rules or reading, but much more so from actually watching people play because I make the connections of "why" something is done. Your camera angles and explanations are the best on the internet by far, along with great quality audio too.

[@AntLabGames]

Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback!

[@jollyroger1009]

You guys do such thorough game playthroughs. This channel and Jongetsgames are my favourite full playthrough channels.

[@AntLabGames]

Thank you so much! We really appreciate you watching :-)

[@PacifierMusic]

Wow! Your production quality has really improved. Love the Primer and the audio quality is really good. Nice job! Just bought the game so I appreciate the video.

[@aaronjamieson6672]

First time viewer - I watch a lot of board game channels and the quality of production and the two of you playing is absolutely amazing. I could see, hear, and understand you perfectly, and you did a great job playing the game. I really really appreciated the pacing, which of course the game helps control but still a credit to you guys. Can't wait to watch some other content!

[@AntLabGames]

Thank you!!!

[@SoCalRMD]

Thank you very much for this video, I had been on the fence about this game, but watching your playthrough and your explanation of the game has helped me greatly.

[@AntLabGames]

Thank you!

[@G-MacMcToot]

Oh congrats on the next incoming baby!

[@GabrielRodriguez-jg3jp]

Hi!! I think you make a mistake, please correct me if I am wrong but in the minute 28:27 you did a snap and took 2 more cards from the deck (like the regular 3 cards) but I believe that when you snap you just that. I mean you have to choose between take 3 cards from the deck a discard 1 or snap (just take 1 card and that’s it).. Rules page 9 :)

[@joesolo1836]

I dont know how I missed this review/playthrough previously, but glad it presented itself for viewing. Great playthrough. Detailed review. I have this game on its way to me, and I can't wait to play. Always love your videos; quality work with honest opinions. you two are great!!

[@AntLabGames]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@SirYeetusMaximus]

Some mistakes I noticed: 35:09 forgot to add a cube to your avian enclosure for your marabou. Whenever you buy a card within your reputation range you must pay for them using the amount listed on the left of that slot. This is different from snapping which is free. Entertaining playthrough!

[@rmarzullo87]

57:00 first time I've played Dune imperium I had the same feeling as you did but all changed when I had the opportunity to play on higher player count. It is not a 2-player game for sure.

[@parnovin5800]

Really nice playthrough! Thanks for your good work and nice showing of Ark Nova. Hopefully we are going to play for our first time tomorrow (2 player).

[@matt7912-j9p]

Lives up to the hype. A masterpiece.

[@ronansheridan848]

This is an excellent summary - thanks very much. Played this lots solo a few months ago. Playing it tmw for first time with my partner. And this video is perfect to remind me again how to play. Your experience in the play through reminded me how the end scoring cards can be a bit swingy / random. Minor quibble - Overall, a great game. And a great review.

[@AntLabGames]

Thank you!

[@josephpilkus1127]

Absolutely wonderful primer, play, and review! I thought that you might enjoy it but I had no idea it would be the best that you've played this year, thus far. I've only gotten it to the table once, but I have a copy. I need to teach it to my wife as she enjoys these heavier games.

[@AntLabGames]

This was a great game for us. We’ve been so let down recently by the hyped up games that it was nice for one to actually exceed our expectations by a large margin. I feel the rush to crowdfund so many games these days is resulting in a decrease in quality for the end products. There are a ton of games with great components and art that have thin or unnecessarily complex gameplay with no real tie in to the theme. Not a good direction for the hobby. Just my opinion. I hope to see a correction in this behavior soon.

[@patricksteele]

Great playthrough and excellent review. I'll have to find this game somewhere!

[@tlleitner]

As regards the game’s name, my guess is that the Ark is a reference to Noah’s Ark…and nova means new in Latin. Thus, each player is trying to build a new Noah’s Ark…a metaphor for zoo.

[@AntLabGames]

This was what we were thinking, and going further, an ark is a safe enclosure (hence the ark Noah built, to protect everything). Such a cool concept :-)

[@ianrobinson122]

Love watching you guys, great vid.

[@AntLabGames]

Thank you!!!

[@mckeoncrawford9262]

Ark Nova feels like it's hard to get going but it's crazy how many points you can get in the last couple rounds vs the first rounds. Cards usually have hefty requirements and you can't play hardly any in the first 1/3rd of the game.

[@cleftturnip7774]

Hi.I cant figure out how to buy the petting zoo ,the reptile house or bird avery. Do you use the build action and pay 2 per hex like normal buildings?

you update the build card dude

[@ArjanL1979]

2 per hex indeed and you can use build action to build all except aviary and reptile house, those require upgraded build card.

[@Lavoye]

Noah's Ark was the old way to save animal lives. Zoos and conservation projects are the new way of saving animal lives. Nova = New... New Ark... Pretty simple.

[@vince5546]

Informative. Thank you !

[@1n1ee]

Hi! Have either of you played Ark Nova solo? Curious to know if you think it is worth it just for solo.

[@AntLabGames]

Only played with 2

[@Britinkorea]

Love the way you guys teach! Thanks :)

[@miguelitos]

Love the new channel! I think only 1 player token can be on a conservation project, period. So no to multiple tokens on a single card.

[@KyveliGR]

I think you need to discard also the x tokens at the coffee break? Or not?

[@gavinctaylor]

No. You discard the x2 tokens and any ability tokens (venom etc). All of which reside on Action Cards. In fact the person causing the break gains an X token.

[@pogdog69]

Love Ark Nova, such a great game!

[@anickslife]

Love your videos and adore BGN!

[@staaniach21]

Wrong side when it comes to occupied/ unoccupied enclosuers :p

[@jankogo]

"What? Are you Thanos now?" 🤣

[@magdakee]

Yessss Great game great channel great content!

[@hawkeye137137]

While I will give Ark Nova more chances if I can on future, my first experience (which was 4 players) was not so good. I started the game with no sponsors and as last player. I couldn't get a zoo partnership or university until after 2nd coffee break because of players before me occupying spots. I couldn't draw a sponsor card until midgame either, so luck of the draw was cruel in that regard too (There were no sponsors opened to the middle row until midgame. Conversely, other players started the game with sponsors at their initial hand + managed to topdeck more). Because of these reasons I had to play the early game with Sponsor and Association actions sitting at 4th and 5th slots mostly, sometimes ditching them to 1st slot for Boost tokens (essentially skipping your turn), and playing other actions often at 3 power. Also rule explanation + game lasted for more than 4 hours (some analysis paralysis happened too), and with the bad start I got affecting the entirety of this 4 hours, it was a heartbreaking experience.

[@AntLabGames]

I’ve heard similar stories from others so you are not alone. It’s unfortunate this happens to some players on their first go. Makes them never want to play it again.

[@Greggiexplore]

Looks complicated to play with kids, probably better with adults. Which one is easier to learn Terraforming Mars or Ark Nova? Great video though.

[@AntLabGames]

I’d say both are about the same difficulty to learn. It comes down to theme.

[@laartwork]

Very complicated and not for kids or new board gamers. It is easier to grasp than terra forming mars

[@beansdicecarlos7890]

I think it's a good game at lower player counts. My play at 4 took too long which left me less than enamored with the game. I also agree with you Anthony on Dune. I like them both but don't love them. Maybe I'm the broken one.

[@AntLabGames]

Good, it’s not just me on Dune. I will try it again, but I don’t think my opinion will change.

[@n.talbert]

Jurassic PArk Nova? sounds good to me.

[@AntLabGames]

Would be so good!

[@laartwork]

Or Zoo Nova

[@laartwork]

I think it's a good game but bloated and too long for what it is. Seems like we are losing clean hand design.