Sanctuary^*

Sanctuary is Mathias Wigge's lighter, tile-laying take on Ark Nova, released by Feuerland Spiele for 1 to 5 players. You manage a modern, conservation-focused zoo, build it tile by puzzle-shaped tile, and balance animal welfare, attractive exhibits, and species-protection goals.

What you do

A face-up market of 135 unique tiles supplies the building blocks: animals, buildings, and conservation projects. Each tile is oddly shaped on purpose, so part of the challenge is fitting them onto your zoo map without wasting space. Pick wisely and the layout pays you back; sprawl unchecked and you leave points on the floor.

How a turn works

On your turn you draft a tile, pay its cost, and decide whether to place it now or set it aside for later. Over the game you cycle through four kinds of actions:

1. Acquire and place a tile.
2. Take in animals to fill compatible enclosures.
3. Complete projects to earn conservation points.
4. Push your attraction marker forward to draw visitors.

When the game ends, you slide the tiles together into one tight zoo grid and tally the layout. A companion web app, the Sanctuary Scorer, reads a photo of your park and runs the end-game math, so you can stay focused on the build.

Solo and onboarding

Solo mode ships with basic and advanced scenarios, milestones, and bespoke rules. A trimmed tile pool eases newcomers in, so the 135-tile market never overwhelms a first session.

Who it's for

Players who love Ark Nova's theme but want a shorter, more tactile evening. Solo gamers looking for a satisfying spatial puzzle. Anyone happy with medium-weight Euros at 40 to 100 minutes and complexity 2.8.

Conclusion

Sanctuary distills Ark Nova into a leaner, tile-driven puzzle without losing the conservation soul of the original. Its 2026 Kennerspiel des Jahres recommendation lands exactly where it should: ambitious enough for hobby gamers, accessible enough to bring new ones in.