# Scythe vs Ark Nova

The clearest difference is rating: Ark Nova at 4.8 against Scythe's 3.1. Ark Nova also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (73% vs 39%). Scythe's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $10.99). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scythe costs $9.99 and Ark Nova $10.99 up front. Scythe sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ark Nova asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.3K ratings behind it against 217, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Scythe's written reviews are positive against 73% of Ark Nova's.

Scythe ships an update every 2 months, Ark Nova every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Scythe | Ark Nova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $10.99 |
| Rating | [3.1 (217 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythe-digital-edition/id1482645966/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 217 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 39.0% of reviews | **73.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #195 | **#45** |
| Size | 421 MB | 682 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Knights of Unity](https://appshunter.io/developer/1445540630) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### Scythe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythe-digital-edition/id1482645966)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Paid · Board (US App Store)

Experience an award-winning 4X strategy board game set in an alternate 1920s Europe. Lead one of seven unique factions, explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate your way to victory. Engage in asymmetric gameplay with varied starting conditions and secret objectives.

**Highlights:** Alternate 1920s Europe setting, 7 unique factions with different possibilities, 4X mechanics: explore, expand, exploit, exterminate, Asymmetric gameplay with varied starting resources and objectives, Turn-based combat and resource management, Single-player AI modes, Online multiplayer for up to 7 players

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Invaders From Afar | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game adaptation
- 👍 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Excellent tutorial
- 👍 Offline mode works well
- 👍 Visuals and UI are well-designed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and loading issues
- 🐛 Buggy undo functionality
- 🐛 Inability to see opponent actions
- 🐛 Confusing UI elements
- 🐛 Lack of offline play

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezes on loading screen
- Unable to load/unload individual resources
- Crashes after recent updates
- Incompatibility with older iOS devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to invite offline friends
- Push notifications for turn updates
- More difficulty settings for AI
- Expansion content (Invaders from Afar)
- Better analytics and player stats


### Ark Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Paid · Board, #116 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great implementation overall
- 👍 Lots of fun
- 👍 Good animations
- 👍 Choice of modes
- 👍 Clean, modern and enjoyable design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Tile placement/rotation issues on iPad
- 🐛 Building placement UI issues
- 👎 Difficult to read board state on mobile
- 👎 Lack of simultaneous view for key game info
- 👎 Cumbersome to create games with friends

**Reported bugs**

- iPad Flash exit issue
- Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Scythe free?

Scythe costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Scythe or Ark Nova?

Ark Nova is rated higher. Scythe averages 3.1 out of 5 from 217 ratings, while Ark Nova averages 4.8 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do Scythe or Ark Nova have ads?

Neither Scythe nor Ark Nova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Scythe or Ark Nova?

Scythe ships an update every 2 months, and Ark Nova every 3 weeks. Most recently, Scythe was updated on October 24, 2026 and Ark Nova on October 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Scythe or Ark Nova?

Scythe currently peaks at #195 in the App Store charts, and Ark Nova at #45. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*