Ark Nova Board Game Review

Ark Nova is a board game that came from nowhere and everyone says is one of the best board games in recent months. Or even saying it is better than Terraforming Mars! But is it?
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In this video:
0:00 Intro
0:35 Rules
2:34 For Who
3:38 Best Things
6:20 Worst Things
9:32 Honeymoon
10:30 Rating
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#ArkNova #Review BoardGameHangover

[@bennshephard8682]

I just got into board games and I’m lucky I’ve found you two! Thanks for showing me the ropes and being so engaging and humorous. Your friend from Australia 🇦🇺

[@BoardGameHangover]

Welcome aboard!

[@slimk3836]

Hahaha "it depends on which monkey, some monkeys might" - I love how honestly you answered that

[@Tablenauts]

This review was made for me. You all do the best reviews on KZbin and I absolutely loved this one. I’m INCREDIBLY interested in this game, and that’s come a long way from when I first saw it. However, I definitely understand Janis G. I have 3 children- 4 years old and under. Full time job. No real game group. KZbin channel. Etc. As amazing as this game looks, if each game takes near 3 hours I certainly don’t expect to table it often at all. Despite that- still one I really want to snag once it becomes available stateside. And again, amazing review as always. 💜

[@BoardGameHangover]

Hey! Appreciate the kind words! You do awesome content as well! Yeah.. sometimes life gets in the way of gaming.. nothing you can do about it. BUT from the bright side, your kiddos in a few years will be your gaming group! :D

[@darrenhornshaw7484]

This is an excellent format. Clean and concise. Keep up the excellent work guys.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Appreciate the kind words Darren! Thank you!

[@steveevans9154]

Love that youre to the point and not padding things out. Great to have 2 perspectives. Good work.

[@BoardGameHangover]

We appreciate the kind words! :)

[@pascalcharland2778]

Best review format ever. Sounds like you are having a fun time! So did I! Subscribed!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, we love doing this!

[@tdubkickflic]

How have i Never watched your guys reviews before? Just discovered you guys and instantly subscribed! I love your format :)

[@BoardGameHangover]

Awesome to hear that! Welcome!

[@J-Wheeler-G]

Everyone that has played it frequently has said that the time is reduced drastically, and you should be at 2hrs with 4 players. Makes sense because of the two track system. The more efficient you get (the more you know the game), the faster then end comes.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Exactly

[@iphatbass]

Finally a nonSkype episode! It's good to see you back!

[@BoardGameHangover]

We're glad to be back!

[@dave0754]

I'm glad I just discovered you! Instant subscribe from me. Amazing review.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Welcome aboard!

[@Fontzig]

Love your channel 🤙 Greetings from🇧🇻

[@Cliech]

Great review, as always

[@BoardGameHangover]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@darthkt]

Masterful work! Thank you

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I enjoy the chemistry between the both of you. Very entertaining and a perfect mix of being funny (without going overboard) and information. If you’ve played Dinosaur World, which do you think is better? They are both park builder-type games and I’m curious to read your thoughts, if you can.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks for the kind words! We haven't tried Dinosaur World, but we totally should.

[@cardiner-lv]

They both are completely different games with similar themes, Ark Novas theme is more contextualized, while Dinosaur World it is what carries that game. Both are good games with different things Ark Nova - heavier card driven euro with minimal park building mechanic (biggest positive: very solid mechanics, negative: length and randomness) Dinosaur world - medium worker placement euro where you build the park and tour through it activating abilities on park tiles (biggest positive: stunner of a game, negative: table hog)

[@youvelookedbetter]

These reviews are so good. And funny.

[@irumaru]

Great channel and interesting review format! Have you considered doing any content in Latvian? :)

[@gruntsudens]

Yes we have. Varbūt kādreiz ;)

[@steverap8680]

You guys are great, keep it up.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thank you!

[@hamzad5061]

Pass for me. Nice review. Like the 3 points, when done 1 at the time. 👍

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks for the feedback! Appreciate it!

[@wernerhaydam7164]

Good review ! Hoping this game comes to South-Africa

[@BoardGameHangover]

With time for sure. It's too good not to

[@AxaiosGr]

Excellent job!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mike9139]

YOU ARE BOTH AWESOME! ❤❤❤

[@VikingKittens]

Still on the fence with this one but excellent review. I ended up getting Bitoku, so for awhile I will learn that and then see if I can find a copy of this. Cheers!!!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Bitoku is fun, but the rules are a labyrinth!

[@mirkosrndovic]

Length - three of us played it two times (only, so far) and both times it took 5h to complete (not much down time, ok, but it was long for us). I feel that "Reptiles" analogy - the same happened when I wanted animals with water icon - I needed them so much, but opponent got them all :D (must adapt definitely!) And yes, I want to play it moooore! Hahaha Hares Expedition, nice one!!!

[@ejim941099]

Oh man. You guys are awesome! The breakdown on who would like this game? The Euro scale. Amazing. You guys are fun and you have a new sub. Would love a measurement section in your reviews as well. You know, like "This is the size of the board is [inset size]" and "this is the size of the pieces as well" I bought a game and did not have enough room on my table. Keep up the amazing work!

[@BoardGameHangover]

We'll think about how we can add some measurements in our videos. Can't promise anything, but maybe we'll figure something out

[@boardthenplay8878]

This game is great. So glad I bought it right away and without hesitation. I was never a fan of photos on cards, but it actually works for this one. It’s not the most beautiful game. But it’s one of the most fun I had in a euro in a while. Apart from Viticulture, this is the second euro game that’s actually thematic. The only thing I hate is shuffling all these cards, especially when I sleeved them all. I suggest sleeving it to prolong the life of your cards. Also, it’s a bit hard grabbing the cards off the board. Wish they made the board a playmat to make it easier.

[@BoardGameHangover]

100% Agreed. It's a great game

[@mchamberlain7408]

Never sleeve cards....buy more games 💪

[@jediquigley2192]

I think the time to complete this game would put me off because we would play this as a family with two boys 7 and 10 years old. We have dinosaur island and its a struggle to keep them interested past 1.5 hours

[@hywel4767]

Believe the hype, this game is ridiculously good. May even be better than TM, and thats my favourite game.

[@BoardGameHangover]

It's awesome for sure!

[@fabiogoncalves1519]

Hi, do you think using the "wingspan" tray with 3 cards faced up and the possibility to take random, improve the "luck" problem with the game?

[@BoardGameHangover]

Sure, the more cards are available face-up to choose from, the more... well... choice you have and it is less random. If you do give it a go, tell us if you liked it!

[@DonsKihots]

with 2 players who know the rules you can get it over with in 2 hours easy, and it plays great with 2 players. For me easy 10/10, love it

[@BoardGameHangover]

Agreed

[@joshuag7027]

I never bought TM because everyone around me had it, so I'm excited for this one, to scratch the same itch, and hoping what you said about it being more accessible than TM is true, because this is a theme my wife will connect with more so than the space theme.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Animal theme works well for this game! And it's also good at two players, so we think you're gonna really enjoy it.

[@viesturskokarevics2427]

Terraforming Mars for Wingspan fans :D

[@BoardGameHangover]

That's a good comparison. :D

[@andrethannhauser6302]

I agree to almost all you said but quite disagree to one point: On BGG, about 60% do NOT recommend playing that game with 4 (which is reeeally high) and it's best with 2: Simple reason: combination of lack of interaction + downtime (resp. playtime almost scaling with player count). I have played it twice with 3 players and I will NEVER play it with 4....unless there is a reason to waste as much time as possible. ;-)

[@BoardGameHangover]

True, it gets quite lengthy at bigger player counts. Also there's even bigger randomness with larger numbers because cards will be picked up and replaced more frequently

[@bestatstartrek6695]

3hours makes it a big no

[@BoardGameHangover]

Yeah, unfortunately not everyone can frequently spare 3 hours for games. :(

[@tiago_db_silva]

You skipped “best alternative”

[@BoardGameHangover]

We forgot to film the alternative question, but we mentioned it in others chapters - It's Terraforming Mars. Not to say it's the same game, but the target market is very, very similar

[@TheMelon9106]

The "Its an euro-like game but there is luck" is more harsh in Wingspan! I hate that in the game you can loose if you are pulling up great cards and loose if youre unlucky :(

[@BoardGameHangover]

Yes, that is true. That's why I think of Wingspan as more of a family game.

[@ertai222]

I win basically every game of Wingspan i play. I've lost a few if course but i definitely win more than I lose. I'm good at card based board games.

[@Dwigii]

When you say "not a lot downtime between turns" makes me immediately think - does it mean not a lot of interaction? As that sounds like nobody spoiled your plan. You did not say any word about interaction.

[@BoardGameHangover]

There's not a lot of interaction, but you don't really mind it. Some cards will have minor effects that impact other players, but more importantly there are bonuses for the players who get to specific spots(on the score track and association board) first. Other than that it's all you and your zoo. Which works for this game really well.

[@Morinj]

brass or ark nova ?

[@BoardGameHangover]

For us Ark Nova for sure

[@Morinj]

@@BoardGameHangover thank you 🤍

[@chuckm1961]

Really enjoy your reviews, and watch all or most of them. I would consider revising your negative points. It's jarring the way you do it, the way you have to explain your 1to5 system, and then put up the graphic and give a rating to the negativity. Why? If you rate the negativity, why don't you also rate the positivity? Or, if you are going to rate the negativity, why not use the same simple, easily understood language that you use for your overall game review at the end of the video? 1 could be "ehhh" (hardly notice the problem) to 5 being "yikes" (hardly sure I want to keep playing the game). OR whatever cool language you come up with. ... Waiting for my pre-order on this game, so anxious to try it!!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks for the feedback! We like the idea of doing something slightly different for each question to mix it up and to make it more engaging, but it for sure is a work in progress. We'll improve on it! And thanks for sticking with us!

[@Jorn2u]

I like your channel, but you guys put way too much commercials per video. Really annoying, stops me from checking out the rest of your content.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Yes, it can be. I am sorry.