Ark Nova & Twilight Struggle: Two Games of Depth, Replayability, and Heavy Strategy

We’ve done it – If you’ve been along for the ride, we’ve looked at a slew of games designed not only to increase the depth of your board game collection – but also expand your knowledge into the types of games that are out there. I would say the majority of the games we’ve looked at have been on the “lighter” side. That is about to change.

Some board games are designed for casual fun—light experiences where the goal is to enjoy the moment without overthinking. Others, however, demand much more from their players. They reward careful planning, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt to what your opponent is doing. Ark Nova and Twilight Struggle are two such games. They challenge players to make meaningful, decisions each turn while offering incredible depth, infinite replayability, and the kind of heavy strategy that keeps players coming back for more.

At first glance, these two games couldn’t be more different. One is about building the most successful zoo. The other is a tense two-player battle for global influence during the Cold War. But beneath their vastly different themes lies a shared DNA:

• Depth: Both games demand forward thinking decision-making and long-term planning. A single turn can have ripple effects across the entire game.
• Replayability: No two games ever play out the same way, thanks to variable setups, shifting priorities, and an abundance of strategic options.
• Heavy Strategy: These are not games where luck determines the winner. Every choice matters, and the best players will consistently come out ahead.

If you enjoy games that require careful thought and reward deep strategy, Ark Nova and Twilight Struggle deserve a spot in your collection. Let’s dive into what makes each game stand out.

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Ark Nova: A Deep, Strategic Economic exercise Disguised as a Zoo Game

Ark Nova

What It Is

Ark Nova is a hand management and economic game that tasks players with constructing and managing a zoo. Unlike a traditional economic game, where you simply maximize profits, Ark Nova challenges you to balance multiple factors—habitat space, conservation projects, sponsorships, and animal acquisitions—while competing against other players to create the most successful zoo. You’ll be managing pen placement and size, managing your “finances” and of course securing the best animals for your zoo.

With over 200 unique cards, every game unfolds differently. You might focus on creating a zoo filled with large carnivores one game, while in another, you emphasize research and partnerships with global conservation goals. The game rewards adaptability, as the cards you draw and the strategies you pursue must align for maximum effectiveness.

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The game has a scoring system not quite like anything I’ve seen before: Ark Nova features a unique two-track scoring system that sets it apart from most other strategy games. Players track their progress on two separate scales:

1. Conservation Points (Green Track) – Earned primarily by releasing animals into the wild, completing conservation projects, and achieving specific milestones.
2. Appeal Points (Brown Track) – Gained by attracting visitors to your zoo through acquiring animals, building enclosures, and adding attractions.

As you can see you are trying to balance both adding animals to your zoo – and then at some point – the real possibility of releasing them for even more points.

What a Turn Is Like

Ark Nova operates on a five-action selection system ( I know that sounds weird – but stay with me), where players choose from the following options:

1. Build – Construct enclosures/pens, kiosks, and pavilions to improve your zoo’s layout.
2. Animals – Play animal cards into your zoo, provided you have the necessary enclosures and prerequsisites.
3. Cards – Draw new cards from the deck or the central display, trying to find cards that will work with your current strategy. Then again – this is the part of the game where you can acquire new cards if a complete shift in strategy is needed.
4. Sponsors – Play sponsorship cards that provide ongoing effects or immediate benefits.
5. Conservation – Engage in conservation efforts, which provide points and are crucial for end-game scoring. Don’t loose sight of this portion – as I’ve found this is where the heavy scoring happens

What makes the game unique is that each action has a power level from 1 to 5, depending on its position in your lineup. The longer you wait to use an action, the stronger it becomes. This creates an interesting tension—do you use a weaker version of an action now, or let it grow in power while taking other actions first?

For example:

• Do you play a valuable animal card now, or wait until you have a sponsorship that gives you a discount?
• Do you rush to complete a conservation project before another player claims the reward?
• Should you cycle through the deck to find the perfect card, or make do with what’s available?

Every decision in Ark Nova carries weight, and the game rewards players who think several turns ahead.

Why I Picked It

1. Depth: Ark Nova offers layers of decision-making. Between managing your action economy, balancing appeal and conservation, and optimizing your zoo’s layout, there’s always something to think about.
2. Replayability: With over 200 unique cards and multiple viable strategies, no two games will ever play out the same way. Some games will favor a research-heavy approach, while others might reward rapid animal placement.
3. Heavy Strategy: Ark Nova challenges players to build long-term engines while responding to the immediate tactical situation. Being flexible and adapting to card draws is essential to success.

While the game takes some time to learn, those who invest the effort will find a deeply rewarding experience that never grows stale. I also like this as a two player duel! Are there easier two player games – sure, but when you are ready to really sink your teeth into a game, you could do far worse.

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Twilight Struggle: A Masterclass in Strategic, Two-Player Conflict

Twilight Struggle

What It Is

Twilight Struggle is a card-driven area control game that simulates the geopolitical struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It does a phenomenal job of incorporating historically accurate events into what could become a fictious timeline – i.e. having the Vietnam War “happen” before the Korean War – or having the Soviets land on the moon first. Each player takes on one of these superpowers, working to expand their influence across the globe while managing escalating tensions and critical historical events. Let me put it this way – Twilight Struggle has ramped up Risk and Games Like Risk – to another level!

Unlike traditional war games, Twilight Struggle isn’t about military battles—it’s about political maneuvering, political influence, and strategic decision-making. Every action must be carefully weighed against the opponent’s potential response, making it a highly interactive and deeply competitive experience. At some point players can become familiar with what events and cards are lurking out there still waiting to be played. The fact that you know something is going to happen only adds to the tension of the game.

What a Turn Is Like

Each turn, players take actions by playing cards from their hand. Each card can be used in one of two ways:

1. For its Operations Points – Used to spread influence, attempt coups, or advance in the Space Race.
2. For its Event – Most cards have historical events that can dramatically shift the balance of power. The catch? Some events favor your opponent, and if you play one of those cards for its Operations Points, the event still happens.

This creates a brilliant push-and-pull dynamic. Do you play a high-value card for its points, even though it will trigger an event that helps your opponent? Do you attempt a coup in a key battleground region, knowing failure could cost you valuable momentum? Every move is a calculated risk.

For example:

• If you’re the U.S., do you spread influence in Western Europe or challenge Soviet expansion in Asia?
• If you’re the U.S.S.R., do you escalate conflicts in South America, or secure control of Eastern Europe early?
• Can you afford to let DEFCON levels drop too far, or do you need to rein in aggressive tactics to avoid nuclear war?

Twilight Struggle is a game of tension, anticipation, and strategic foresight. It rewards players who can think multiple turns ahead while reacting to an ever-changing board state. Each are of there of the board is routinely scored – calculating just how much influence one side has over the other. Some areas become more valuable as the game progresses – some areas won’t even be scored until further along the timeline.

Why I Picked It

1. Depth: The historical card-driven system ensures that no two games play out the same way. The Cold War is full of surprises, and skilled players must navigate shifting political landscapes.
2. Replayability: Since cards appear in different orders each game, events unfold in unique ways. One game might see the Cuban Missile Crisis early, while another might have late-game tensions erupt in the Middle East.
3. Heavy Strategy: The game is all about long-term planning, anticipating your opponent’s moves, and making the best possible decision in every moment. Mistakes are costly, and adapting to the opponent’s actions is crucial.

Twilight Struggle isn’t just a game—it’s a tense battle of wits that captures the essence of Cold War diplomacy.

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Two Games That Demand Your Best Play

At first glance, Ark Nova and Twilight Struggle might seem completely unrelated. One is about zoos, the other about global conflict. But they share a fundamental quality—they reward thoughtful, strategic play.

• Both games offer deep, engaging decision-making.
• Both provide incredible replay value, ensuring fresh experiences every time.
• Both require careful strategy, where the best players consistently come out on top.

If you love games that make you think, games that challenge your ability to plan ahead, and games that stay fresh no matter how many times you play, Ark Nova and Twilight Struggle deserve a place in your collection.