Comparison

Ark Nova vs Mythic Mischief

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

Head to head
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.

About

Mythic Mischief

Engage in a 1v1 abstract strategy game where you select unique factions with evolving abilities. Outmaneuver opponents by manipulating the board and characters, setting traps to guide them towards a relentless guardian. This game offers a dynamic blend of strategy, thematic gameplay, and competitive tactics.

Highlights
  • 1v1 strategy gameplay
  • Eleven unique factions
  • Evolving character abilities
  • Board and character manipulation
  • Trap setting mechanics
  • Thematic gameplay
Features
Read full description

Step into the world of Mythic Mischief, a thrilling 1v1 strategy game from the creators of board games Veiled Fate, Fractured Sky, and Moonrakers. Choose from eleven unique factions of mythic students, each with their own set of powerful abilities that grow stronger as you play. Outsmart your opponents by manipulating the board and characters, setting clever traps to guide them into the path of the relentless Tomekeeper. Whether you're a fan of strategic puzzles, thematic gameplay, or a fresh take on chess-like tactics, Mythic Mischief delivers a dynamic experience that keeps you thinking every turn. The game is a perfect blend of strategy, fun, and competitive play, challenging you to outwit your opponent with every move. Download now and prove your mastery in the ultimate battle of wits!

Screenshots

Ark Nova4 screens
Mythic Mischief4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mythic Mischief at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. Mythic Mischief also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 73%). Ark Nova's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 37). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Mythic Mischief is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Mythic Mischief sells 18 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Ark Nova's written reviews are positive against 87% of Mythic Mischief's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Ark Nova versus Mythic Mischief: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArk NovaMythic Mischief
Price$10.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better4.6 (37 ratings)
Positive reviews72.9% of reviews87.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better37
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#26 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size682 MB207 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDire Wolf DigitalIV Studio

Customer experience

Ark Nova

All ratings1,236 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews133 reviews
Positive72.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative16.5%

Mythic Mischief

All ratings37 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive87.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.0%

User reviews

Ark Nova

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Mythic Mischief

From 37 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎉 Fun and engaging gameplay
  • 💰 Great value for the price
  • 👍 Visually appealing design
  • 🤝 Balanced factions
  • 🔍 Detailed and helpful developer support

Room to improve

  • 🕰️ Slow matchmaking and long wait times
  • 🐛 Bugs and unbalanced mechanics
  • 🤖 Lack of AI opponent for practice

Bugs and 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

Mythic Mischief

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

In-app purchases

None

Ark Nova

No in-app purchases

18 purchases

Mythic Mischief

One-time18
  • Groundskeeper$0.99
  • 1st MR Avatars Pack$0.99
  • 1st VF Avatars Pack$0.99
Show 15 more
  • 1st FS Avatars Pack$0.99
  • Gargoyles$1.99
  • Zombies$1.99
  • Witches$1.99
  • Vampires$1.99
  • Frankenstein's Monsters$1.99
  • Fairies$1.99
  • Wizards$1.99
  • Ghosts$1.99
  • Trolls$1.99
  • Werewolves$1.99
  • Gnomes$1.99
  • Hedge Maze & Groundskeeper$1.99
  • Hedge Maze$2.99
  • All Factions Bundle$14.99

Questions

Is Ark Nova free?
Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mythic Mischief free?
Mythic Mischief is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ark Nova or Mythic Mischief?
Ark Nova is rated higher. Ark Nova averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Mythic Mischief averages 4.6 from 37 ratings.
Do Ark Nova or Mythic Mischief have ads?
Neither Ark Nova nor Mythic Mischief shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ark Nova or Mythic Mischief?
Ark Nova ships an update fortnightly, and Mythic Mischief fortnightly. Most recently, Ark Nova was updated on October 19, 2026 and Mythic Mischief on October 16, 2026.

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