Dawn of the Zeds (Second edition) (2013) Board Game

Dawn of the Zeds (Second edition) is a horror-themed board game designed by Tim Allen and Vinh Ha, released in in 2013. The game is published by Victory Point Games and is designed for 1 player. In this game, players must defend the town of Farmingdale from hordes of zombies that are threatening to overrun the area.

Game Components of Dawn of the Zeds

Game Board: Double-sided for different difficulty levels, with easily recognizable icons for each track.

Cards: Event cards, player action tokens, and individual cards for every token, including hero and Zed tokens.

Tokens: Double-sided action tokens, Zed special ability chits, and tokens with printed hit points.

Dice: Used for combat resolution via a Combat Results Table.

Rulebooks: Multiple rulebooks due to the game’s high customizability.

How To Setup Dawn of the Zeds

Setting up Dawn of the Zeds involves preparing the game board, shuffling and placing the event deck, distributing player action tokens, and setting up the heroes and Zeds according to the chosen difficulty level. The game includes a Setup & Epilogue manual to guide players through the initial setup and to determine the game’s outcome based on the final state of the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Coordinate the defense of Farmingdale and its surrounding villages against hordes of Zeds, aiming to survive until the event deck runs out.

Cooperative/Solo Play: Players work together or solo to manage resources, make tactical decisions, and combat Zeds.

Combat Mechanics: Resolved using a Combat Results Table based on dice rolls.

Resource Management: Players must manage supplies and limited ammo.

Event Deck: Drives the game’s progression, with each card dictating Zed movements and player actions.

Player Actions: Players have variable actions each turn, with the ability to spend player action tokens on any player unit.

Player Experience

Dawn of the Zeds offers an intense and relentless experience, with players constantly battling against advancing Zeds. The game is highly customizable, with multiple difficulty levels and various ways to play, making it challenging yet engaging. The cooperative nature of the game ensures everyone is involved, though it can lead to lengthy discussions and extended gameplay with multiple players. Despite its complexity, the game’s presentation is top-notch, with clear markings on cards and tokens to minimize confusion.

Pros

High Replayability: Multiple difficulty levels and customizable gameplay.

Engaging Mechanics: Resource management and combat add to the game’s tension.

Strong Presentation: Clear and well-designed components.

Cooperative/Solo Flexibility: Can be played solo or with up to five players.

Immersive Theme: The zombie apocalypse setting adds to the game’s intensity.

Cons

Complex Rules: Multiple rulebooks due to the game’s high customizability.

Lengthy Setup: Setting up the game can be time-consuming.

Potential for Long Games: Cooperative games can stretch beyond the expected play time due to player discussions.

High Difficulty: The game is challenging, and losing is common, especially for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Dawn of the Zeds

Dawn of the Zeds is ideal for fans of cooperative or solo games who enjoy a high level of complexity and customization. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate strategic resource management and intense, thematic gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those who prefer simpler rules and quicker gameplay. The game’s theme and mechanics make it a great choice for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a zombie apocalypse scenario.

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