Zoomaka (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Zoomaka is a card game that was released in in 2018. It is designed by Pablo Jomer and Tove Jomer, with artwork by Worldshapers. The game falls under the categories of Animals, Card Game, Educational, and Party Game. With a runtime of 25-45 minutes, Zoomaka is designed for 2-5 players, with the ideal number of players being 3.

Game Components of Zoomaka

Card Deck: Consists of 110 cards, including animal cards, action cards, and setting cards.

Animal Cards: Each assigned to categories like Australian, reptile, bird, ape, and magical, with icons indicating the number needed to complete a zoo section.

Action Cards: Include action, reaction, and entrance cards that allow special actions, cancel actions, or impose fees on other players.

Setting Cards: Set universal rules that apply until replaced, such as extra actions or free animal plays.

How To Setup Zoomaka

To set up Zoomaka, start by shuffling the deck of cards and dealing six cards to each player. The game begins with a designated first player, and play proceeds clockwise. Each player aims to build their zoo by collecting the necessary animal cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: The first player to complete four sections of their zoo wins.

Turn Structure: Players play three cards per turn, either to the table or their bank.

Card Types:

Animal Cards: Collected to complete zoo sections based on category and icon requirements.

Action Cards: Enable special actions, reactions, or impose entrance fees.

Setting Cards: Introduce universal rules affecting all players.

Player Interaction: Strong take-that mechanics through action and reaction cards.

Payment Mechanism: Players can use cards to pay entrance fees or sell animals to other players.

Player Experience

Zoomaka offers a light-hearted and interactive experience, especially suitable for families or casual gamers. The game’s set-collection mechanics and varied animal categories keep the gameplay engaging. However, the payment mechanism can feel thematically confusing, as players may find it odd to pay or sell animals to access other players’ zoo sections.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Most games last well under 30 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

High Player Interaction: Action and reaction cards promote competitive play.

Variety in Animal Cards: Numerous categories and unique animals to collect.

Cons

Graphic Design: The game could benefit from a graphic design overhaul.

Thematic Confusion: The payment mechanism may feel out of place.

Under-Produced: Some players find the game slightly under-produced.

Personal Thoughts on Zoomaka

Zoomaka is a great option for those looking for a card game to play with kids or as a quick alternative to classic card games like Uno or Go Fish. It’s an excellent choice for casual gamers who enjoy set-collection mechanics and light take-that features. However, for those seeking a more complex or thematically cohesive game, Zoomaka might not be the best fit.

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