Sanctuary

Ark Nova had split my group when it came out: lots of moving parts, plenty of randomness, and the ambition to stand as a “Terraforming Mars killer.” Sanctuary feels like the lighter, more accessible version of that idea — like the 2%-fat edition that Terraforming Mars later released to open the door to a wider audience. It tastes and smells like Ark Nova, without carrying all of its weight.

Its core is straightforward tile drafting, but not simplistic drafting. You pick tiles, and every choice needs thought: what helps you now, what is worth saving for later, and how much room you leave for the choices to come. It feels distinctly more streamlined than Ark Nova, while at times also recalling the much lighter Cascadia.

The game also brings push-your-luck into the mix, so it is not enough to play safely or simply collect whatever looks immediately useful. There is strategy in the drafting decisions, but the flow remains approachable and pleasant, without drowning you in procedures and separate systems. That was its main advantage for my group: meaningful thought without the administrative weight of its bigger sibling.

We liked it a lot, and it was a real pleasure to play. Still, on any given Sunday, if I have to choose, I will personally pick Ark Nova. Sanctuary is the cleaner, easier-to-digest version — I just still have a soft spot for the full meal.