Nova Insula lets the players define the shape of a new island rising from the sea and compete on who gets most vegetation and different animal species to live on it. The winner will make the biggest impact by growing thick forests for their animals to thrive and hunt for food in. In the game the players take turns in placing either hexagonal terrain cards to form the island and grow vegetation on existing terrain or animal cards representing groups of reptiles, arachnids, mammals and insects to live on the island. The game ends when any player runs out of either cards, after which victory points are calculated based on how well and much each player has contributed to the now fully formed island. The player with most points is naturally the winner.