Tabletop gaming offers a vast universe of experiences, from building zoos to racing to collect precious gems, and even exploring haunted houses. Let’s delve into three fantastic games – Ark Nova, Splendor, and Mansions of Madness – each distinct in their main genre, yet sharing unique connections through their sub-genres.
Ark Nova
Main Genre: Resource Management
Sub-genres: Tableau Building, Economic, and Animal Theme
Ark Nova, a creation of Feuerland Spiele, challenges players to develop their own zoos and attract the most visitors. The gameplay involves managing resources to build a tableau of enclosures, facilities, and attractions, all while balancing the economic aspects of running a zoo. At its heart, Ark Nova is a game about nurturing biodiversity and running a successful venture, offering a rich strategic experience.
Splendor
Main Genre: Engine Building
Sub-genres: Economic, Collection, and Card Game
Splendor, a game by Space Cowboys, shares the Economic sub-genre with Ark Nova. In Splendor, players are renaissance merchants racing to collect precious gems and invest in mines and transportation. It’s an engine-building game where your purchases help you make further purchases more efficiently. While it isn’t about building a zoo, the economic strategies you learned in Ark Nova will come in handy as you make savvy investments to outwit your opponents.
Mansions of Madness
Main Genre: Adventure
Sub-genres: Cooperative, Horror, and Exploration
Next, we have Mansions of Madness by Fantasy Flight Games, sharing the Animal Theme sub-genre with Ark Nova. While animals in Ark Nova are part of your zoo, in Mansions of Madness, you might encounter them as part of the narrative in this Lovecraftian horror game. As investigators in a spooky mansion, players work together to solve mysteries and survive the horrors that lurk within.
If you enjoyed Ark Nova, you would likely appreciate Splendor and Mansions of Madness for several reasons. All three games require strategic thinking and careful planning. Splendor’s economic strategies resonate with those in Ark Nova, while Mansions of Madness brings a shared thematic element of animals into a completely different setting. These games offer a chance to apply your strategic acumen in new and interesting contexts.
However, they are distinct in their main genres and gameplay. Splendor’s engine-building mechanics provide a different challenge compared to Ark Nova’s resource management. Mansions of Madness, on the other hand, immerses you in a narrative-driven adventure, a departure from Ark Nova’s zoo building theme.
In essence, while each of these games provides a unique experience, the shared sub-genres ensure a common thread. Whether you’re an economic genius, an animal lover, or a strategic mastermind, you’ll find familiar elements that will make your transition from Ark Nova to Splendor or Mansions of Madness both exciting and rewarding.
