Ark Nova vs Blokus+
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
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.
- Single player vs AI
- Online multiplayer
- Private and public games
- Colorblind-friendly mode
- Dark mode support
- Strategic piece placement
- Tutorial and hints
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Ark Nova ships an update fortnightly, Blokus+ every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.
| Parameter | Ark Nova | Blokus+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.2K ratings) | 4.9 (47 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.9% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K — better | 47 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #39 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 682 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Dire Wolf Digital | Qiang Ma |
Customer experience
Ark Nova
Blokus+
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
Ark Nova
No in-app purchases
Blokus+
- Scout Pack$1.99
- Unlimited Hints$4.99
- Remove Ads$9.99
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- Pro Bundle$14.99









