GamesRadar+ Verdict Sanctuary is a fast-paced zoo-builder that offers a more time-conscious alternative to the robust Arc Nova, and gameplay involves a balance of strategic planning along with improvisation.

While your experience varies greatly based on the number of players (a high player count requires more improvisation), it's a safari well worth taking.

Pros +quick-paced zoo-builder that's a good alternative to Ark Nova +Great balance of strategy and improvisation +title pieces are of fantastic quality, with great photos of various animals and durable cardboard pieces Cons -Experience varies based on the number of players -Iconography within the title isn’t always intuitive, as subtle differences can make a big impact on point scoring Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.

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Jump To: Features & design Gameplay Should you buy How we tested One of the best board games of recent years is Ark Nova, a dense zoo-builder that involves a mix of tile drafting and placement, while also meeting certain randomly chosen requirements.

While Ark Nova is a triumph, it’s also an extremely complex game that takes hours to complete.

That's where Sanctuary comes in.Publisher Feuerland Spiele has now released Sanctuary as a simpler, quicker alternative to Ark Nova, one that uses many of the same mechanics but without the layers of complexity ## Editor's Note This announcement has sparked considerable discussion among gamers. Source: [GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/board-games/sanctuary-review/)