Comparison

Ark Nova vs Real Queen

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

Real Queen

Features
Read full description

L’antico fascino delle biglie in un nuovo gioco sorprendente e divertente Se ti piacciono i giochi astratti come la Dama o gli Scacchi Real Queen ti stupirà! Il gioco è predisposto per due giocatori che si affrontano. Ogni mossa e riflettuta e ponderata attentamente, con un ritmo di gioco avvincente e altalenante, dove non si è mai sicuri di aver vinto, perché un’ultima mossa può cambiare il destino della partita.

Screenshots

Ark Nova4 screens
Real Queen3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Real Queen at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. Ark Nova's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks) and chart position (#36 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, 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

Real Queen is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ark Nova ships an update every 2 weeks, Real Queen every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Ark Nova versus Real Queen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArk NovaReal Queen
Price$10.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid
Best chart rank#36 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size682 MB137 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDire Wolf DigitalLeonardo Catano

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

Real Queen

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Ark Nova

No in-app purchases

None

Real Queen

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ark Nova free?
Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Real Queen free?
Real Queen is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ark Nova or Real Queen have ads?
Neither Ark Nova nor Real Queen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ark Nova or Real Queen?
Ark Nova ships an update every 2 weeks, and Real Queen every 5 weeks. Most recently, Ark Nova was updated on September 22, 2026 and Real Queen on September 21, 2026.

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