Sanctuary: Ark Nova’s Spiritual Successor (Board Game Review)

Sanctuary, the spiritual successor to Ark Nova, was released to the world in late 2025. Ark Nova continues to be one of the most popular board games of all time, ranked second on Board Game Geek’s Top 100 games. 

That makes the decision to revisit the world of Ark Nova with a new game, a new format and potentially faster gameplay, a pretty easy decision for publisher Capstone Games and designer Mathias Wigge. Putting together a game that lives in the same universe as Ark Nova with the same general theme of building out a zoo while introducing an entirely unique gameplay that is more inviting to the casual gamer seems like a great situation, if the game is made right.

Sanctuary benefits from the ground work Ark Nova laid and then carves a unique path for gamers. It also takes time to learn from Ark Nova to change the approach and the overall gameplay. Fans of Ark Nova will find a familiar design and elements that they know very well. New players will find a unique puzzle that lays out a strategic game unique from most others.

The Components

The box art is an interesting choice that communicates the connection to Ark Nova, but can be confusing the way that Sanctuary is split onto two different lines. Not a deal breaking element by any means. It can be off-putting, however, as the art of the box is that all important first impression that gamers are drawn to.

Inside the box is where Sanctuary starts to shine. Unpacking the box reveals an instruction book and glossary for reference. The Display Board, used for tracking the market, folds over itself to create a dual layer trench for tiles during gameplay. Score sheets are included to address what is likely the most complex part of the game. A conservation board is introduced here along with individual player boards that players will use to build their zoos. A smaller box, with stylized art work, that will serve as tile storage going forward is included and holds player trays that will be used for hand management. A well laid out system of components to punch-out are placed on numbered boards as “x” of 11, giving confidence that everything is present. 

Once everything is punched out from the boards, there will be tiles, conservation objectives, conservation markers, pouch markers, end game markers, action cards and player aides. While the components are simple cardboard, the thickness gives a sturdy feeling that is hard to find in most games. The art sets them apart and gives a feel of higher quality.

The components come in as above average. There’s still some punching to be done and the box lacks a truly good organizer, but overall there’s enough here to make it stand out from other games.

The Rulebook

The rulebook is laid out similarly to Ark Nova. It does a good job explaining the iconography, giving the player an overview of the game and getting everyone started. 

This game is not as heavy as Ark Nova, but it does bring its own complexities. Sanctuary can have players reaching for their rulebook throughout the first few plays but once it has been tabled a few times, a lot of the rules are right there on the boards and player aides. The game flows pretty naturally once it has been played a few times.

Theme

If the art on the box is what attracts a player to a game the first time, the theme is what holds their attention and brings them back. In Sanctuary, the theme of building a zoo while maintaining a high appeal and keeping the conservationists happy as well is engaging. That said, the rulebook does nothing to set the table for the theme and jumps straight into game setup. There’s no storytelling to be done here, it’s a heavy art game that breaks down to tile laying and grouping. Truthfully, the most important part of the theme is likely that it exists in the Ark Nova universe.

The Gameplay

The gameplay itself is quite solid. There’s no money to be concerned with here, just tile drafting from a shared market and goal achievements to further your success. The action card mechanic that truly set Ark Nova apart returns here but with a slightly different feel.

Animals are divided into three categories. The first three action cards correspond to the different animal categories and impact the strength of animal that can be played. The fourth action card provides strength for market purchases and placing projects, a different type of tile which can enhance the various scoring opportunities in Sanctuary. 

Scoring may be the most intense part of the game. The scorepad, or the scorepad portion of BGStats gameplay recording, is most essential to keeping scores accurate. Players will often go over their board multiple times, tile-by-tile, to count up points earned. Some tiles will provide simple points while others will require calculations based on the entire board. It is easy to get overwhelmed and some players may find themselves reaching for a calculator, a notepad or their phones to record scores as they are adding them up. Gone is the scoretrack from Ark Nova, so keeping an eye on who’s winning can be incredibly complicated and difficult during the play. On top of that, scoring everything at the end of the game can feel quite daunting and drawn out.

Final Thoughts

As an avid player of Ark Nova, I was happy to see a release of a game that is a little more accessible to gamers that aren’t committed to the longer gameplay of Sanctuary’s predecessor. Sanctuary is visually appealing and brings a similar, but different, strategy than Ark Nova. 

The gameplay is solid. The graphics help keep players engaged. The components are made very well and have held up to multiple plays, setups and teardowns. The box could use an organizer and the art on the outside of the box could probably be a bit more appealing to players that aren’t fans of Ark Nova or who have never played before. The end game scoring is brutal and can take a fair amount of time itself, sometimes leading to disinterest in who won by the time the numbers are finally crunched. This game is in dire need of a scoring app.

Gamers that are looking for something strategic and tile based will find a winner here. Casual gamers may want to pass but should give it a try sometime as it is an easier entry to complex games than some of the others out there. In addition, if you tried Ark Nova and it wasn’t your cup of tea, come back to Sanctuary and give it a try.

It has found a permanent home on my shelf and a place on my table quite frequently.