Comparison

Hexicon vs Ark Nova

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Hexicon

A multiplayer word game where strategy and territory control are key. Players take turns forming words to capture hexagon tiles, with the longest word not always being the optimal move. Offers online play, AI opponents, and daily challenges.

Highlights
  • Online multiplayer
  • Challenging AI opponents
  • Daily Challenges
  • Customizable Tile Colors
  • Unlockable Icons
  • Achievements
  • Leaderboards
Features
Read full description

Hexicon is a multiplayer word game with a territory control twist. Take turns playing words while trying to capture the most hexagon tiles. This word game rewards strategic play more than having a large vocabulary. Hexicon will really make you think - the longest word is not always the best play! Fun Features • Online multiplayer • Challenging AI opponents • Daily Challenges • Customizable Tile Colors • Unlockable Icons • Achievements • Friends Leaderboard • Global Leaderboard What the press says: “Bringing a healthy dose of strategy to word games, Hexicon is doing something completely new for those of us who enjoy the genre.” IndieGamesPlus “It certainly seems very interesting, particularly if you're into word games. Best of all, it has asynchronous multiplayer so you don't have to sit around waiting for someone to finish their turn, you can get back to it when you have the time instead.” Pocket Gamer

About

Ark Nova

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

Highlights
  • Plan and design a modern zoo
  • Build enclosures and accommodate animals
  • Support global conservation projects
  • Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects)
  • Upgrade action cards for gameplay
  • Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation
Features
Read full description

Plan and build a modern, scientifically managed zoo to support conservation projects in an acclaimed strategy board game. In Ark Nova, you will plan and design a modern, scientifically managed zoo. With the ultimate goal of owning the most successful zoological establishment, you will build enclosures, accommodate animals, and support conservation projects all over the world. Specialists and unique buildings will help you in achieving this goal. At the heart of Ark Nova are 255 cards featuring animals, specialists, unique enclosures, and conservation projects, each with a particular ability. Use them to increase the appeal and scientific reputation of your zoo and to collect conservation points. Each player has a set of action cards, which you will use and upgrade to carry out your plans. Each player has a set of five action cards to manage their gameplay, and the power of an action is determined by the slot the card currently occupies. The cards are: BUILD: Allows you to build standard or special enclosures, kiosks, and pavilions. ANIMALS: Allows you to accommodate animals in your zoo. CARDS: Allows you to gain new zoo cards (animals, sponsors, and conservation project cards). ASSOCIATION: Allows your association workers to carry out different tasks. SPONSORS: Allows you to play a sponsor card in your zoo or to raise money. With high replayability and rich components, Ark Nova provides a remarkable gaming experience that will bring the game to the table again and again.

Screenshots

Hexicon4 screens
Ark Nova4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Hexicon at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. Hexicon also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). Ark Nova's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 13). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Hexicon is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Hexicon sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Ark Nova asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Hexicon's written reviews are positive against 72% of Ark Nova's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hexicon ships an update every 9 days, Ark Nova every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Hexicon versus Ark Nova: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHexiconArk Nova
PriceFree — better$10.99
Rating4.5 (13 ratings)4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews72.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings131.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#27 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB682 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSpiralburst Studio, LLCDire Wolf Digital

Customer experience

Hexicon

All ratings13 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral15.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Ark Nova

All ratings1,190 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews127 reviews
Positive72.4%
Neutral11.0%
Negative16.5%

Bugs and requests

Hexicon

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ark Nova

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • iPad Flash exit issue
  • Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
  • Full screen mode
  • Option to reverse zoom direction
  • Improved card readability/zoom

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Hexicon

One-time4
  • 500 Coins$0.99
  • 1100 Coins$1.99
  • 1800 Coins$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Remove Ads$4.99
None

Ark Nova

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hexicon free?
Hexicon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ark Nova free?
Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hexicon or Ark Nova?
Ark Nova is rated higher. Hexicon averages 4.5 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Ark Nova averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.
Do Hexicon or Ark Nova have ads?
Neither Hexicon nor Ark Nova shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hexicon or Ark Nova?
Hexicon ships an update every 9 days, and Ark Nova every 2 weeks. Most recently, Hexicon was updated on August 23, 2026 and Ark Nova on September 24, 2026.

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