Comparison

Ark Nova vs Blokus+

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

Blokus+

A vibrant digital board game where players strategically place uniquely shaped pieces on a shared grid. Compete against AI or others online, blocking opponents and claiming territory to score the most points. Features include single-player modes, real-time multiplayer, and helpful game aids.

Highlights
  • Single player vs AI
  • Online multiplayer
  • Private and public games
  • Colorblind-friendly mode
  • Dark mode support
  • Strategic piece placement
  • Tutorial and hints
Features
Read full description

Think you can claim the board? Prove it. Blokus+ is a fast, colorful strategy board game where 4 players compete to place as many pieces as possible on a shared grid. Each piece must touch your own color — but only at the corners. Block your opponents, find clever gaps, and outscore everyone. Single Player • Play against 3 AI opponents with Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty • Get move hints from the AI when you're stuck • Learn at your own pace with the built-in tutorial Online Multiplayer • Create private rooms with invite codes or join public games • Quick Match — jump into a game instantly • Real-time gameplay with turn timers • AI fills empty seats so games always start Features • Beautiful, responsive board with smooth animations • Colorblind-friendly mode with shape indicators • Dark mode support • Scout opponents' remaining pieces to plan your strategy • Sound effects and haptic feedback Strategic Depth • 21 unique piece shapes per player • Plan ahead — every placement counts • Block opponents while expanding your territory • Bonus points for placing all your pieces Simple to learn. Hard to master. Impossible to put down.

Screenshots

Ark Nova4 screens
Blokus+3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Blokus+ at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. Blokus+ also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). Ark Nova's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, review sentiment 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Blokus+ is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Blokus+ sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Ark Nova asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Ark Nova against 4.9 for Blokus+. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 47, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Ark Nova's written reviews are positive against 75% of Blokus+'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ark Nova ships an update fortnightly, Blokus+ every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Ark Nova versus Blokus+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArk NovaBlokus+
Price$10.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (1.2K ratings)4.9 (47 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.9% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better47
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#39 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size682 MB6 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDire Wolf DigitalQiang Ma

Customer experience

Ark Nova

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

Blokus+

All ratings47 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

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

Blokus+

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Ark Nova

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Blokus+

One-time4
  • Scout Pack$1.99
  • Unlimited Hints$4.99
  • Remove Ads$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Pro Bundle$14.99

Questions

Is Ark Nova free?
Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Blokus+ free?
Blokus+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ark Nova or Blokus+?
Blokus+ is rated higher. Ark Nova averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Blokus+ averages 4.9 from 47 ratings.
Do Ark Nova or Blokus+ have ads?
Blokus+ shows ads; Ark Nova does not.
Which is updated more often, Ark Nova or Blokus+?
Ark Nova ships an update fortnightly, and Blokus+ every 3 days. Most recently, Ark Nova was updated on October 19, 2026 and Blokus+ on October 19, 2026.

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