Gaia Project vs Ark Nova
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Gaia Project
Embark on a strategic journey to colonize the galaxy by mastering terraforming. Each of the 14 unique factions has distinct environmental needs, driving the need to adapt planets for survival. This is the official digital adaptation of the acclaimed board game.
- 14 unique factions
- Peaceful galactic colonization
- Terraforming mechanics
- Adaptable environmental needs
- Official digital board game adaptation
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In Gaia Project, each player controls one of 14 factions striving to peacefully colonize the Terra Mystica galaxy. Each faction has different environmental needs to survive on a planet. These needs have led the factions to master terraforming, enabling them to make different planet types habitable for themselves. This is the official digital version of the board game Gaia Project by Feuerland Verlag. Minimum RAM: 3 GB Recommended RAM: 4 GB Gaia Project is a graphics-heavy board game with advanced AI opponents. Your gameplay speed and AI strength may be limited with older devices.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Ark Nova at 4.8 against Gaia Project's 4.0. Ark Nova also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 39) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). Gaia Project's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $10.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Gaia Project costs $9.99 and Ark Nova $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Gaia Project's written reviews are positive against 72% of Ark Nova's.
Gaia Project ships an update monthly, Ark Nova every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Gaia Project | Ark Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $10.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (39 ratings) | 4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.1% of reviews | 72.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 39 | 1.2K — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #88 | #25 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 371 MB | 682 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DIGIDICED | Dire Wolf Digital |
Customer experience
Gaia Project
Ark Nova
Bugs and requests
Gaia Project
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
Gaia Project
No in-app purchases
Ark Nova
No in-app purchases
