Z War One: Exodus (2018) Board Game

Z War One: Exodus is a cooperative board game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Released in 2018, the game is designed by Dice Sports and is suitable for 1 to 5 players aged 14 and above. Players must work together to survive and escape the zombie-infested city before time runs out.

Game Components of Z War One: Exodus

Game board

Hero and infected unit miniatures

Action point tokens

D8 dice

Action cards

Resource and item cards

Rulebook

Mission scenario book

Upgrade and equipment components

How To Setup Z War One: Exodus

To set up the game, players first prepare the game board by placing the various terrain and objective tiles according to the mission scenario. Each player selects a hero and places their miniature on the designated starting point. Infected units are placed based on the scenario’s setup instructions. Players receive their starting action points and any initial items or resources. The Director mode, if used, involves one player preparing the action cards and abilities to control the infected units.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hero Move Phase: Heroes take actions such as moving, attacking, or using abilities.

Infected Move Phase: Infected units move towards heroes based on line of sight and proximity.

Spawn Phase: New infected units may spawn based on D8 rolls.

Cleanup Phase: Resolve any ongoing effects and prepare for the next turn.

Resource Management: Manage action points and resources tightly to achieve objectives.

Combat Resolution: Use D8 rolls to determine outcomes of attacks, takedowns, and bites.

Objective Completion: Complete mission objectives while surviving against the infected.

Player Experience

Players experience a highly tactical and resource-intensive game where every decision counts. The game is full of meaningful choices, such as how to allocate action points, when to search for items, and how to manage infected unit movements. The narrative woven through the scenarios adds depth to the gameplay, making each mission feel unique and challenging. The game can end in one of several ways: heroes completing objectives without injury, completing objectives with some injury, or being overrun by the infected.

Pros

Engaging Narrative: The comic book style narrative enhances the gameplay experience.

Tactical Depth: Numerous strategic decisions make the game compelling.

Replayability: Different mission scenarios and random elements ensure varied gameplay.

Cooperative and Competitive Modes: Options for cooperative gameplay or a Director mode add versatility.

Cons

Line of Sight Complexity: Determining line of sight and closest hero to infected units can be tricky.

Resource Tightness: Managing action points and resources can be stressful.

Random Outcomes: D8 rolls can sometimes feel unpredictable and frustrating.

Personal Thoughts on Z War One: Exodus

Z War One: Exodus is perfect for fans of tactical combat and resource management games, particularly those who enjoy survival horror themes. It is ideal for players who appreciate strategic decision-making and cooperative gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer simpler rules or are easily frustrated by random elements and tight resource management. The game’s ability to make players feel like their choices are crucial to the outcome makes it a standout in the zombie game genre.

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