Introducing Sanctuary; the Game where you run a Zoo!

Are you looking for a captivating strategy board game where players can plan and design their own zoo? Sanctuary might just be the perfect choice for your next game night! This year has seen some excellent animal-themed games, including Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor and Oh My Pigeon! but Sanctuary offers a unique strategic twist. Designed for between 1 and 5 players aged 12 and above, and playing in a satisfying 40 to 100 minutes, this up-and-coming zoo-building game is perfectly paced for a fun night. If you like the sound of designing and managing a modern wildlife park without the epic playtime of heavier titles, keep reading to see why we think Sanctuary deserves a spot on your shelf.

When Ark Nova was first released in 2021, it quickly became a global bestseller and one of the most talked-about strategy board games of recent times. The original game is an immersive experience where players aim to design, build, and manage the most successful modern zoo. Players compete to expertly balance animal conservation, corporate sponsorships, and deep strategic planning to score the most points.

Ultimately, Sanctuary is considered an evolution of Ark Nova, as it modifies and simplifies many of it’s more complex mechanisms, and offers a quicker path to strategic zoo success. Both games involve earning victory points and building a successful park, but they approach the mechanics differently. For instance, Ark Nova features more complex mechanics, a central board, a broader range of actions, and separate placement rules for buildings and animals. Sanctuary however focuses on a hex-tile-laying tableau and simplified action choices, making for a smoother, medium-weight game experience. The biggest difference between both games is that Sanctuary does not rely on money as a resource to buy tiles, animal and project tiles are gained through actions.

To achieve this, you have a supply of 135 unique zoo tiles (made up of animals, buildings, and projects). Players must place the optimal mix of tiles on your zoo map. Different tile effects will help you meet crucial conservation objectives and increase the appeal of your zoo in order to attract more visitors.

At the heart of Sanctuary's faster, more tactical flow is its clever action-selection system. Each player manages their turn using a fixed set of four action cards: the power of an action is determined by the specific slot the card currently occupies. One card allows you to play various projects, the other three cards allow you to play animals from specific habitat types: forest, rock, or water. This mechanic maintains the satisfying, engine-building progression that made Ark Nova a hit while delivering quicker, tactical decisions on each turn. The game is full of variety, making every play interesting and exciting.

• 135 big zoo tiles

• 20 action tiles

• 5 tile holders

• 5 double-sided zoo maps

• 5 double-sided player aids

• 1 display board

• 1 conservation board

• 100 tokens

Have you played the original Ark Nova? Are you excited to try out Sanctuary? Let us know over on our socials, we love to hear from you!