# Ark Nova vs Mythic Mischief

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Ark Nova | Mythic Mischief |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $10.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** | [4.6 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mythic-mischief/id6636515334/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 37 |
| Positive reviews | 72.9% of reviews | **87.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#33** | — |
| Size | 682 MB | 207 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) | [IV Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1762914261) |

## What reviewers say

### Ark Nova

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

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Paid · Board, #109 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


### Mythic Mischief

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mythic-mischief/id6636515334)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Groundskeeper | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1st MR Avatars Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1st VF Avatars Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1st FS Avatars Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gargoyles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Zombies | $1.99 | one-time |
| Witches | $1.99 | one-time |
| Vampires | $1.99 | one-time |
| Frankenstein's Monsters | $1.99 | one-time |
| Fairies | $1.99 | one-time |
| Wizards | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ghosts | $1.99 | one-time |
| Trolls | $1.99 | one-time |
| Werewolves | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gnomes | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hedge Maze & Groundskeeper | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hedge Maze | $2.99 | one-time |
| All Factions Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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


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