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I just came back from a Union action this weekend where we were shouting the whole "what do we want?" "a fair contract!" when do we want it? "now!" so that bit made me laugh way more than it should have any right to.

This just solidified to me that I'll definitely play this if a friend gets a copy but its not something I need in my own collection.

You two are consistently informative and entertaining. I find myself disagreeing with your opinions more than I agree, yet I keep watching because your opinions are very well-founded. Thanks for elevating the medium and the hobby.

Good review, I like Ark Nova and have played it 3 times. I ended up rating it higher each play, I went from a 7 to an 8.5 to a 9 on the third play. I agree that Ark Nova is not as strategic as it first appears, its a reactionary tactical game primarily. My third play for example, my starting cards looked primed and ready to build predators from Asia. 2 hours later I won the game primarily with a fully stocked bird aviary and releasing a few lizards into the wild for conservation. In Ark Nova you do what the cards tell you to do, I haven't even built a petting zoo yet. I certainly want to, but the cards haven't come up at the right time that make building a petting zoo a good idea. Thats Ark Nova, you don't do what you want, you do whats needed and if you do it faster and cheaper then everyone else you win. I still think the game is great but the lack of strategy did take me by suprise in a game this heavy.

I've been treating it like Race for the Galaxy; when I see a card with two requirements in my opening draw it's probably a discard. If the game didn't let you turn part of the public display into part of your "hand" with upgraded cards, it would probably be a bit TOO random. I like that mechanism a lot, actually.

I think the problem you mention is pretty common to engine builders. I've had the same thing happen with wingspan and terraforming Mars. I think Race for the Galaxy got around this best with the +5 search feature, and later, the Draw till you get X feature. It's frustrating to pull a card early game and get excited by the possibilities, then proceed to see nothing to support it for the rest of the game. Especially if that frustration lasts two hours.

"That's not game design, that's a hostage situation!" :D

I think you nailed this. We have it, and it was fun until I could not get going. And then when I did get going, it still did not benefit me. Building the zoo is fun, dealing with the scoring is just disappointing. Too many cards with not enough ability to make them work together. Maybe instead of an expansion, it needs a contraction. To be honest, after three plays, I am not that keen on playing it again.

I have a lot of design problems with Ark Nova, especially about the way you can luck into cards that work with your strategy...or not. And it doesn't have a drafting mechanism like Terraforming Mars to help mitigate that. But the game is heckin fun in spite of this. It's definitely not something to play if you want a pure skill game, but we play to have fun, and in that way I think the huge deck is actually a strength since there's so much content to explore.

The deck being huge brings a ton of replayability, and I don't think you're supposed to pick a strategy on the first turn and stick to it the whole game, you're supposed to improvise with the cards you get

I've having a bad time recently and this video just brighten my life a little. I had lots of laughs watching it. I'm still waiting for my copy, I can't wait to play it. But besides the review, I just love watching all the energy that is put in each video. I'm grateful for having the opportunity to be a spectator of this amazing channel.

Elaine/Efka Thank you both for bringing me years of enjoyment. I realized after all this time I never took the time to drop a like, and you 2 talented people are far far deserving of this. (I just personally have not developed the habit of liking any videos...something I'm beginning to rectify...starting with your channel.) I have really enjoyed your content for a few years now...you all are so entertaining that I've watched videos on games I literally had no interest in just to see what you think about it anyways. There are not many channels where I can say that is the case! Just wanted to drop a massive THANK YOU! As far as Ark Nova is concerned...still waiting for my pre-ordered copy to arrive...the massive card deck is something I take issue with when incorporating both Wingspan expansions as well (though that game has fewer requirements to get them played, it still can throw a wrench in your strategy if you are praying to the card drawing gods to get another Raven or what have you.)

Totally has similarities to another hit, Terraforming Mars, and as someone pointed out, Race for the Galaxy. A plethora of cards you want to draw and do neat combos with... but totally depends on card draw luck. Race for the Galaxy gives you effects to increase cards seen with "draw X, pick 1" effects, and many people play Terraforming Mars with a drafting variant. This mitigates the possibility of eternally drawing junk which does not work with your engine. I'm excited if and when someone comes up with a similar house rule or an official expansion rule to Ark Nova. - Maybe increase cards drawn with Cards action but discard more...? Which would make card draw abilities in the animals seem weaker and you still might end up with gunk. - Maybe make snapping easier from the get go so you can snap that one perfect card? - Somehow discarding cards from the card row before Break? This would create take-that discarding: Oh you need that predator? Too bad if something happened to it... Oh well, smarter people than me will figure this out I hope.

Love the jibe at the artwork in Ark Nova in the end. 🤣👏👏👏 that's awesome. You're my favorite.

When I first saw a playthrough of this back in October 2021 I immediately said to myself: "most of this is right up my alley but the combo of the massive deck, the very small hand size and stagnation of the card row and the frequency of playing cards with a useless effect already have me skeptical". It seems like those things are downsides. At least in TFM you're always drawing more cards than you're actually adding to your hand and their are standard projects to allieviate things like not drawing any power cards. In here it seems like you're really at the mercy of the deck.

100% agreed with your criticisms. nothing sucks more than drawing a starting hand of entirely sponsor cards or drawing all animals but none of them get you closer to the starting conservation projects. i know the game has major hype, and I do like it, but it is way more random than its advocates are willing to admit

I certainly related with the deck being too big to be usable. I have played a lot of Terraforming Mars solo and it highlights how much you absolutely need drafting or large draws to make things viable. There are times when it is simply not possible to win because I never drew enough ocean cards and didn't have the cash to buy them all. It is a super frustrating experience, made worse the longer the playtime was.

Loved the rhyming! Excellent video, as always

They could do what one of the mini viticulture expansions did and remove the entire deck (or even partially) and add cards that would make a more cohesive experience. In any case, great video!

Another great and insightful review that showcases the joy and the niggles players might have. But the endless prerequisite loop fadeout had me literally crying with joy.

I love the commitment to that ridiculous headgear! It's the best character of the entire video. Lol 😆 🤣 😂

House rule to draw double the cards and put half of those cards at the bottom of the deck. Would not ensure you get that bear but at least nearly double your chances.

These reviews are so well done and hilarious!

Funny how I've always had the same exact problem with Terraforming Mars. Giant deck, impossible to plan stuff. Doesn't feel like I have projects and a PLAN to Terraform Mars, I'm just doing things.

“You must gather your party before venturing forth” LOL

For future reference you will be pleased to know that "Marabou" is also the swedish equivalent of Dairy Milk chocolate. Good review, it seems like a good interim fix is just to increase the amount of cards you draw, either boosting the card draw action or letting you discard cards first with the card draw action to let you draw the normal amount plus any needed to refill your hand.

Would splitting up the deck in different categories (continent or animal type) help mitigate the deck problem? And maybe the top card of each deck is open? That way you have some influence over what kinds of animals you draw.

What you think about the big deck i found the opposite. I like having to adapt and finding new strategies.

Excellent review! As always, your presentation is fantastically entertaining regardless of my interest in the game, and whether or not I agree with your opinions. Since I don’t usually comment, I’ll add that your podcast is equally fantastic and anyone reading this should really give it a listen. You’re my favorite board game channel and I appreciate your balance between humor, critical evaluation, documentary-style research and social / environmental consciousness! Many reviewers have one or more of those traits, but no others match you in quality on all four counts. I have strong opinions about singleton decks and why they are more strategically valid than many give them credit for, but I totally understand the criticism. Suffice to say that while for you the robustness of the deck detracted from the charm, I found it to be the opposite. It was no surprise given how much I enjoy Wingspan, Terraforming Mars and the like. But none of those let me play danger noodles so this gets extra points!

What if you doubled the number of the cards you draw when taking the card action? You still have the constraint of discarding down during the break.

1. "Zoo Tindr" 2. More puppy cameos please!

Nice shelf Porg, Be careful for if you put more then 2 together they multiply like Porgs.

I never thought I'd hear a St. Peter joke combined with Baldur's Gate - wonderful, well done

I had the same impression with Terraforming Mars. We just decided to introduce partial drafting (buying projects) - half out of the pool of revealed cards and half drawing instead drawing all from deck. Gives more control over hand but still keep some secrecy of hand. Similar is done in Wingspan. I assume it's doable here, isn't it?

Another excellent video. Thanks so much. Behold, engagement snacks to feed the algorithm!

Totally agree with this review, exactly my experience

Another great critical review. I was wondering what the hype was all about. I like a lot of the mechanisms in here, but your constructive criticisms do give me pause about buying this game. I'll definitely have to try before I buy, and I may wait for the so-called "one expansion" away from greatness :) Thanks again.

I appreciate the player colours chosen. 👍🏿

House rules for drafting of the conversation projects, end game scoring cards and more hand cards to choose from at start would be necessary that i would play it again.

Absolutely wonderful review, as always. I've played this on TTS and in-person and was over the moon to receive it as my Secret Santa gift. While I appreciate the fact that the card deck can prove a bit frustrating, I abhor Terraforming Mars, so I'm happy to have a card game which both reinforces the main idea with every turn and decision AND is rewarding on every turn.

It feels like an unfair amount of this video is focused on the deck situation, but also I fully agree with how that can constrain or limit your play of this game. Fully justified, and I've had great fun with this game. More than Terraforming Mars, this game feels like it needs the "Search" mechanic that came in a Race for the Galaxy expansion. You could do an ability once per game in that where you would pick one of 12 different criteria for cards and you would burn through the deck until you found one that fit that. If you didn't like that one, you could continue and then take the second card that fits that criteria. I wonder if something like that will come to Ark Nova, so you could say "Give me a good bear!" and it could show you one you don't like, and you could then say "Not that one..." and continue on. Bravo, NPI, for pinpointing and clearly stating one of the two things I didn't like about this game. Drawbacks aside, I still found myself craving an excuse or a chance to play this game again, so I hope it keeps getting better.

Great review! Just to say thanks, as we played 10 games so far and never realized that partner zoo gives an icon of the continent as well :D

8:30 to 11:00 is sublime. And it could go on and on. I wanna add 100 things to that thought process. And it's bliss. ...that said terraforming mars still crushes it for me, haha. Great review, tho. Agreed deck is too big.

That teddy bear hat is adorable.

it feels like the main issue is the rng of the deck, so maybe if they switched it to more of a deck-building mechanic, where you have a central market place with all the cards where you can purchase any of them at any time, would solve these problems(course; doing that with 200 cards would be space-prohibitive I'd imagine).

The irony of the "No Pun Included Joke of the Year" was delicious. 👏🏽

This game is definitely not for me. Waaaaay too many cards! But you, sir, are an absolute delight. Extra points for bear hat. 🐻

Crunchy/complex mechanisms, pretty presentation, and the most important thing: minimal player interaction. No wonder it's dominating the BGG Hotness.

Raja of the Ganges scoring/endgame?

I'm only about 90 seconds in and I know I am going to spend this entire video being jealous of that fluffy hat thing with the ears.

If the hand size was bigger it would be easier to get or find what you’re looking for.

Hmm having not played it i can't say, but is there a way to divide the cards into multiple draw decks so you can be more decisive? (i'm thinking a little of Takenoko) Sounds like no tbh...

I love Ark Nova. Like TM it is the reactionary and quick think on your feet style that draws me to many games. Although I do enjoy strategic and well planned out games sometimes I want to play a game that thrusts me into tough spots and makes me rethink my whole game plan. I’m not a fan of META gaming, and although it’s obvious that reptiles and birds are easy play strats that are more consistent they are generally one you adopt alongside a plan with a bigger pay off. On top off that more cards is more replay-ability for me, the same reason I love games like TM, Everdell and Dog Walk the amount of cards involved means there is never one overpowered combo that everyone is playing for because if you wait for that one big play you know can win the game never comes up, you probably finished dead last.

Isn't the huge card stack in this game the same as in Terraforming Mars, a mechanic which forces you to react to the cards you get rather than plan for a fixed pre-determined strategy? Which, of course, means some players will just get lucky with their cards early, and win without actually being the better player.

Love that hat!

Totally agree. Looks like an interesting decision space but just a bit bloated with cards

I very much agree. Ark Nova takes a problem I had with Terraforming Mars - a game I otherwise adore - and made it ten times worse. It's a lovely, lovely game... but the deck is just too damn big. The size wouldn't even be a problem necessarily, but combined with the variety of tags it makes it too easy to get amazing games and awful games based purely on the luck of the draw. And if I'm sitting down for a few hours of a board game, I don't want, more importantly than winning or losing, _how much fun I'm having_ to be dependent on the luck of the draw.

9:00 min mark... OMG... so brilliant!

This is what happens when you push the credits action to slot 5. Jokes aside, excellent review!

I feel like the issue of the deck comes down to whether or not you feel you need total control of your strategy in games. For me, I enjoy a certain level of luck in my games and sort of rolling with the punches. I think a game like this suffers if it just turns into a math problem that the most experienced player will crush everyone else at. I think a luck element helps keep these games accessible to new players and also helps simulate the idea that in almost any strategy, unforeseen circumstances will occur.

I genuinely started cackling uncontrollably when the Porg, I might actually be dead now it's hard to tell, I'm laughed but too much.

The skillshare bit was savage about the cards XD

I wonder if it wouldn't be feasible to split the deck into the different types of cards rather than one massive deck. Like all the predators in a deck, and all the herbivores in a deck. Or would that just create too many decks? Then players could draw from a deck that included the type of cards they were specifically looking for rather than the entirety of the game. Like, I need reptiles, so I'm going to draw from the reptile deck. Or I want more sponsors, so I'm going to drop in the sponsors deck.

Can’t agree more.

Well said, I’ve only played 3 solo games and I suspect the multiplayer experience is better, but I agree with the card dilution comments. This game is sooooo close to being amazing. Glad I have it, hope it gets what it needs to live up to being BGG’s #4 game.

Underwater Cities is still the best game in the "We build shit with cards" category. Because the cards are sorted in 3 epochs. The chance you get cards you can't use is way lower.

Great rhyme!

This is one bear of a review… 😂

I love placing a worker on the Post Office. Give your opponent 2 cards and cycle that deck!

Omg you're absolutely hilarious! Great rhyme, hehe

A real shame you didn't include a credits segment. So far my favorite of your credits segments was the one for "For Science!" Where the credits rolled over NPI playing the game. I realize that not every game is that visually interesting to watch played without sound. Something that might work instead (especially for games with lots of bits) would be either setting up a game, or putting away a game while the credits roll.

Thumbs up just for the rhymes!

Wow, you presented the whole thing to look silly and funny yet everything you argued was actually very intelligent, clever, and well broken down to make sense! great and very entertaining video...

I’m not super familiar with your channel but I wonder if you’ve ever reviewed terraforming Mars?

Stratford upon Raven!

21:45 i love this little wink to TM fans

Very great review once again!

I'm not going to say the floppy bear ears wiggling around after every passionate statement kept me glued to this video as though Efka was made of magnetic flypaper. That's all. I'm not going to say it. I'm also not going to say you should find a tortuous, strained reason to wear the bear hat again, Efka. But ...I really like the bear hat.

Where can I get that bear hat?!

10:12. Yes that's how I feel lol

How do you win... at zoo! Very good review. I am still not sure if this grabs me or not, it seems like it could be streamlined quite a bit.

Devolved into a ProZD CCG skit around the 9:45 minute mark. hahaha

I want that hat! 🙃

Do Jurassic Park and Jurassic World qualify as zoos? Either way, we need more board games rap. :)

I want that hat. Give me that hat.

Soooooooooooooo much hype.

Why do you hate boardgames! JK, this was a great review. I am still awaiting this game's arrival (April?) but greatly looking forward to it. Whatever expansion might come for this one I think it should be one that allows more manuverability through the deck for sure.

Rajas of the New Dawn

MANY puns included. The thumbnail is a pun! Ceci n'est pas une pipe!!

Meanwhile me, enjoying Terraforming Mars with all official and fanmade expansions, having a deck of nearly 1k cards: 👁 👄👁️

We weren't a fan of Terraforming Mars, because of the random and diluted nature of the deck. We didn't like that the game gives you a direction at the beginning with your company and you might not be able to follow your plans at all during the game. We tried Ark Nova because the theme is much more fun for us, but unfortunately we found that Ark Nova is possibly even more luck based than its "precedessor". As you've mentioned in the review the deck is so diluted and there are just so many icons, that finding the ones you need is almost impossible. Some people could get the perfect animals they need, while you don't see anything matching your goal. It is made worse with the inclusion of green cards in the deck, because some people could just get a ton of points purely depending on luck if a green card comes up that they already achieved. I wanted to love the game because of the theme and the fun build aspect, but I just ended up frustrated every single time, no matter if I won or lost.

Fun review as always. 3 games in now (so still rather early) and I can say we (my wife and I) personally love Ark Nova. The immensity of the deck isn't a drawback to us, on the contrary it's one of the good things about the game - more variety, new cards to discover in future games and most importantly forces adaptability. I personally do not like games with a clear path to victory where you read up online and see that the game should be played in a certain way in order to win - there is exactly 1 smart way to open the game and then this or that action is a complete waste etc.. While there are better (seemingly at least) ways to win (why would I take an extra worker vs an early card upgrade while there are always ways to get that final worker but not to get a card upgrade later on), fairly obvious that 'Sponsor' is the card that shall remain not upgraded most of the time otherwise animal and generally speaking, smaller animals appear to be a slightly better value. If an expansion can fix the 'obvious card upgrade path' and initial bonus (worker vs card) that'd take care of my biggest issue. In its current form, all Sponsors card that requires Level 2 Sponsor actions end up in the discard, that sucks. Otherwise there are ways to draw quite a lot of cards and find what you need rather easily (speeding up the game in the process)

Great, I feared the deck was just a worse version of the mess that is wingspan.

👍

I have only played this game once but left the table feeling exactly the same way. There simply are too many cards.

Efka(sp), As always you hit the nail on the head sir. Excellent review.

MOAR rhymes!

People do like games with animal pictures.

engagement!