# Through the Ages vs Ark Nova

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ark Nova at none against Through the Ages's 1. Through the Ages's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 72%) and ratings volume (5.1K vs 1.2K). On rating, update cadence, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

Through the Ages costs $9.99 and Ark Nova $10.99 up front. Through the Ages sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ark Nova asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Through the Ages against 4.8 for Ark Nova. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.1K and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Through the Ages's written reviews are positive against 72% of Ark Nova's.

Through the Ages ships an update every 10 days, Ark Nova every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Through the Ages | Ark Nova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $10.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/through-the-ages/id966245474/reviews)** | [4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.1K** | 1.2K |
| Positive reviews | **87.7% of reviews** | 72.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #50 | **#47** |
| Size | 188 MB | 682 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CGE Digital s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706267473) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### Through the Ages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/through-the-ages/id966245474)

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Paid · Board, #147 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Lead a civilization from its beginnings to the modern era. Expand your resources, develop technologies, and build armies to defend or attack. Construct wonders and choose governments to achieve victory in this deep strategy game.

**Highlights:** Civilization development, Resource management, Technology research, Military expansion, Government selection, Wonder construction, Card-driven gameplay, Solo and online multiplayer

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New Leaders and Wonders | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent tutorial
- 👍 Great implementation of board game
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Challenging AI
- 👍 Lots of replay value

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🐛 Connectivity issues with online play
- 🐛 Bugs in challenge mode
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes during challenge mode
- Connectivity issues with online play
- Compatibility problems on older devices
- Freezing during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Add pass-and-play mode with AI
- Ability to mix human and AI players
- More customization options for game settings
- Expansion content (new leaders, wonders, etc.)
- Ability to slow down AI turns for better observation


### Ark Nova

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

**Currently charting:** #47 Top Paid · Board, #133 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Through the Ages free?

Through the Ages costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Through the Ages or Ark Nova?

Through the Ages is rated higher. Through the Ages averages 4.9 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while Ark Nova averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Through the Ages or Ark Nova have ads?

Neither Through the Ages nor Ark Nova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Through the Ages or Ark Nova?

Through the Ages ships an update every 10 days, and Ark Nova every 2 weeks. Most recently, Through the Ages was updated on September 27, 2026 and Ark Nova on September 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Through the Ages or Ark Nova?

Through the Ages currently peaks at #50 in the App Store charts, and Ark Nova at #47. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*