Ark Nova VS Terraforming Mars - Which Board Game Is Better?

Hovering in the Top 50 Board Games on Board Game Geek, Terraforming Mars and Ark Nova are two games, many board gamers have learnt how to play and love. Both Euro games are card driven games that feature cool card combos featured in games like Wingspan, Dominion and other awesome games. In this video we compare both games to see which is the better game in terms of its gameplay, strategy, design and theme.
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The Board Game Sanctuary is a family friendly board game channel that aims to introduce the board gaming hobby to new and seasoned players in a light, fun and humourous way.

[@gregkleinfall1901]

I have both games and in my experience they both are long games. You have to get one of the TM expansions to shorten it some. TM is one of my all-time favorites. Having said that, I now prefer Ark Nova. Of course, both games are so good that I think it comes down to a few differences within the games as to which someone may prefer. This was summarized very well in the video. My thoughts are as follows. Want a more interactive game, TM gets the nod. Want a little deeper game, I think AN is the better choice. Theme can also matter and while I enjoy TM's theme, I just love building a zoo with all the different zoo configurations (if my memory serves, I believe there are 10 different zoo layouts to choose from). When all is said and done, both games are top notch.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Yes, both games are so good. I think I am on the same page with you in terms of the reasons why I would pull out either game. I just love the zoo theme so much and the puzzley nature. The fact that there are so many maps does make it quite replayable! TM is really good for the engine building side of things and cause you are sharing the map, the interactive aspect there is super fun!

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

So which of these two board games do you think is better? Do you prefer the Euro style mechanics of operating a zoo like in Zoo Tycoon or are you drawn to the idea of Terraforming another planet? What are your thoughts?

[@TMOS111]

I'm trying to decide between Paladins of the West Kingdom and Ark Nova, two weighter euros. Thoughts?

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

@@TMOS111 I haven't actually played Paladins of the West Kingdom, though I hear it is really good. I think it might come down to what theme and style of gameplay you prefer?

[@ertai222]

It doesn't hurt having both i guess since they are quite different.

[@lukehoffman9090]

I've found myself drifting away from paladins, but that might be the fault of my solo only plays of it

[@elesvazul]

EZ, if you like resource management, then Terraforming Mars for sure. if you like multiple different game mechanics with depth and analysis paralysis, then Ark Nova for sure!

[@MjrLeegInfidel]

Really enjoyed this! Well done and tremendously well thought out

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! :)

[@AmongUsAcademy]

Great video. Comparing my 2 favourite games at the moment!

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Thanks so much. Its a tough choice. Which one do you prefer?

[@BERTkingOFpie]

I am a mechanics before everything type of gamer. I pre-ordered my copy a few months back and am still waiting for it to ship out. Can't wait to dig my teeth into this one. Thanks for the side by side to get me hyped.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

You are welcome! I hope your copy of the game arrives soon so you can enjoy it!

[@MisterAbysmul]

Just found your channel and subscribed. Well done review. Terraforming Mars is a six or seven for me, and Ark Nova instantly became a 10 for my wife and I. We're over 8 games in and love it more each time.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

I am so glad you love Ark Nova. I honestly love both games and it will depend on who I am playing them with and how long I have available to play the game. Welcome to the channel by the way! :)

[@jtarman70]

My wife and I own both games. We have been playing TM for 4 years now and every game is so different. We love that its like conquering the wild wild west. AN seems more structured to us, more confined/policed but we still like the game a lot. One thing we absolutely do not like in AN is the conservation part. We think the game would play better and with more focus without this distortion of reality. In real life, Zoo's take in animals, they very seldom release them from captivity into the wild for several reasons, one being that they would not survive the wild after living in captivity, this part of the game is really just counterproductive and unrealistic. In our opinion it pulls your focus away from the real object of the game which is to build the best zoo! Other than that the game is great, but we do like TM better because of the overall freedom of choice and personal decision making, reminds us more of real life LOL! Conclusion, both are great games, everyone has different taste, but we own and enjoy both!

[@tonybowers9490]

Thanks for sharing. Don’t have AN yet, but it’s on order. I’ve heard most people that have played both say they prefer AN over TM.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

You are welcome. I hope your copy gets to you soon. There is lots to discover in Ark Nova, much like TM. I still think that they are both worthy of staying in the collection just cause they cater for different group sizes and game lengths.

[@musicforall1859]

Is not that a game is better than other. Both are great games!

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Yes you are right both games are very good games!

[@jtarman70]

As for time, my wife and I have never had a TM game at 2 players less than 4 hours and some as long at 6-7 hours. AN is a long game too, but probably 3 hours for 2 player

[@vincelupo8419]

Terraforming mars is my preference. Just the way most things are handled and the requirements to do things. Terraforming Mars feels way more freeform and I prefer that. Even simple things like the hand limit are better. Ark Nova is good and I'll play it but I'm fine not owning it. Terraforming Mars I have to own.

[@Ferenc-Racz]

Hi! Can you suggest some more sci-fi / technology type engine building game? I really liked "Terraforming Mars" and "Gismos" also.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Roll for the Galaxy is great fun if you love a cool euro space themed game. :) There are heaps out there. Beyond the Sun is a great tech tree style space building game too!

[@Ferenc-Racz]

@@BoardGameSanctuary Thank you very much! :) I played roll for the galaxy but did not catch me. I will check "Beyond the Sun", it looks interesting. :)

[@Greggiexplore]

I have both, none is better, they both have place on the table. TR needs better art and future edition. When it comes to AN it needs lighter version similar to what they have done to Everdell in form of Everdell Lil (where non gaming family and kids can access the play)

[@1n1ee]

Which would you prefer for just solo?

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Ooh. That is a tough one. I think I would still prefer Ark Nova solo.

[@gregkleinfall1901]

@@BoardGameSanctuary I would also pick Ark Nova as there are too many TM cards that just don't work for a solo game. That is a consequence of the game having more interaction where Ark Nova is much closer to a multi-player solitaire type game.

[@vincelupo8419]

Terraforming Mars with the Automa expansion. Adds great solo mode.

[@lemiless]

Ark Nova says the game length is 90 - 150 minutes. Terraforming Mars says 120 minutes for the base game. Whenever we play TM with 4 players with all the expansions, we can count on a 4 hour game at least... I'm sure Ark Nova would be a similarly long encounter.. but Terraforming Mars is a long game.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

If Terraforming Mars is long at 4, then I would say double the time for Ark Nova cause it is soo long even at 2 players :)

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

It also does depend on how well the players know the cards in either game and the mechanics.

[@gregkleinfall1901]

@@BoardGameSanctuary I have played both at 4 player counts. I found Ark Nova to be about the same length, but I think it is because we have players that are good at being efficient, which more quickly triggers the endgame.

[@brettchristensen6734]

@@BoardGameSanctuary Not even close, having played it at 4 multiple times, both IRL and on TTS.

[@Castorshells]

Ark Nova is great, I love it! My Terraforming Mars board game is gone and I just kept Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

That is a great way of still owning both games!

[@ChiiOMarteel]

If you had to compare it with Ares Expedition, which one would you prefer?

[@Castorshells]

@@ChiiOMarteel Ark Nova or Ares.....I would prob still go with Ark Nova. I like having my own zoo board and building it out.

[@grog3514]

I am in the opposite camp. I find AN to be too fiddly and I think they both have bad art. Themes are both good but I find TM to be an easier teach, plays faster (with prelude) so ultimately will get tabled more.

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree. These are some very valid points. TM is also shorter in play time too!

[@lastburning]

Reject modernity. Embrace tradition.

[@sergioperez2771]

The variance in Ark Nova is just too great for a game that sticks around as long as it does. For me, the game is fatally flawed in that regard. With Terraforming Mars, you have drafting to mitigate that variance (and I can't possibly imagine playing Terraforming Mars without drafting).

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

Yes I agree there is a ton of variance which is both an upside and a drawback. I heard that in the new expansion there are cards that allow you to sift for particular card types and certain icons. So hopefully the balance will be restored :)

[@ArjanL1979]

@@BoardGameSanctuary oh that is good to know! will be playing AN for the first time this week and the randomness will be my biggest gripe with the game I think

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

@@ArjanL1979 Oh I hope you enjoy it. Yes, the cards that come out are random but its interesting to discover how to connect cards together. Whilst it might be tricky to pick something to focus on at the start, the cards do reveal some strategies you might opt to go for which is part of its charm :) Its a little similar in games like Wingspan and Terraforming mars.

[@paulhamrick3943]

I agree with this criticism that these long games that seem to be very luck of the draw dependent are…. well, you have to have the right group for them because you could easily play 2, 3, or 4 sessions and feel like you just didn’t get the right cards into your hand.

[@ArjanL1979]

@@BoardGameSanctuary actually by now I have played several games and have no problem with randomness. you can just deal with what is given you and look for available opportunities. the length tho..😄

[@kosterix123]

anything >> TM.

[@michaelmueller260]

This isn't even close. For me, Terraforming Mars is a drab, boring, and ugly to look at game. The mechanics are...okay...but nothing new or interesting enough to get past the bad art and boring, overdone theme. Ark Nova really only had to be a decent game to surpass TM in my book. The theme, mechanics, and art are exponentially better in Ark Nova, so this wasn't even a fair fight. Result - Ark Nova wins by first round KO.