Ark Nova vs Terraforming Mars: Which Heavy Engine-Builder Should You Buy?
BGG #2 and #9 respectively. Two of the greatest board games ever designed, both card-driven engine builders, both sitting in the 90-150 minute range, both beloved by heavy euro fans worldwide. If you can only pick one, this comparison is for you. Short version: the “right” answer depends entirely on what you want from a game night. Long version: keep reading. The Games at a Glance Ark Nova Terraforming Mars BGG Rank #2 #9 Rating 8.54 8.33 Weight 3.80 / 5 3.27 / 5 Players 1-4 (best 2) 1-5 Play Time 90-150 min 120 min Year 2021 2016 Designer Mathias Wigge Jacob Fryxelius Both games share a genre label - card-driven engine builder - but under the surface they’re doing completely different things. Understanding how they differ is what makes the choice obvious once you know your own preferences. ...
