City of Zombies (2013) Board Game

City of Zombies is a cooperative board game that was first released in in 2013. It is designed by Alonso Jacobo, Matthew Tidbury, and Rory Walker, and published by ThinkNoodle Games. The game is aimed at players aged 6 and up and combines elements of dice rolling, math, and puzzle solving.

Game Components of City of Zombies

Battle Dice: 3 dice used for calculations.

Zombie Cards: Representing various zombies with different math challenges.

Hero Cards: Characters with special abilities to aid in the game.

Item Cards: Modify dice, weaken zombies, or change rules.

Board: Represents the city with zones to clear of zombies.

Rescue Plane: A plastic plane that signifies the end goal.

GameFlow Guide: A guide that teaches players how to play as they go.

Levels of Play: 4 levels – Beginner, Advanced, Expert, and Master.

How To Setup City of Zombies

To set up the game, players first lay out the board representing the city. Each player selects a hero and places their hero token on the starting zone. The zombie cards are shuffled and placed on designated spaces on the board. Item cards are also shuffled and placed within reach. The rescue plane is set aside, awaiting the players’ success in clearing the city of zombies. The GameFlow Guide helps new players learn the rules step-by-step as they begin playing.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: 1-6 players work together to clear the city.

Math Operations: Players use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (and squaring and square roots for older players) to build attack combos.

Dice Rolling: Players roll 3 battle dice to create math solutions.

Zombie Defeat: Defeat zombies by matching the math challenges on the zombie cards.

Item and Hero Usage: Use item cards and hero abilities to enhance gameplay.

Objective: Clear the board of zombies to save survivors, boost the score, and ensure the rescue plane lands safely.

Player Experience

City of Zombies offers an engaging and educational experience, especially for children aged 6 and above. The game is designed to make math fun and rewarding, with increasing difficulty levels that challenge players as their skills improve. The cooperative nature fosters teamwork and communication among players, making it a great family game. The artwork and design of the game components are praised for being visually appealing and sturdy.

Pros

Educational Value: Teaches various math operations in a fun way.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and social interaction.

Adjustable Difficulty: Four levels of play to suit different skill levels.

Well-Designed Components: Attractive artwork and sturdy cards.

Award-Winning: Winner of Best Family Game, Best Numeracy Game, and Players Choice IG Family & Education Awards.

Cons

Choking Hazard: Contains small parts like dice and plastic plane.

Complexity: May require some time to learn the rules for new players.

Expensive: Some users find the game to be pricey.

Personal Thoughts on City of Zombies

City of Zombies is ideal for families and educational settings where making math enjoyable is a priority. It is particularly suited for children aged 6 and above, but its cooperative nature and adjustable difficulty levels make it a fun experience for adults as well. The game’s ability to blend math practice with exciting gameplay ensures it is both educational and entertaining. If you’re looking for a game that combines learning with fun, City of Zombies is definitely worth considering.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.