Zuuli (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Zuuli is a card game released in 2022 by Unfringed, designed by Chris Priscott. The game is set in a world where players take on the role of animal enthusiasts trying to collect the most diverse and unique animals in their zoo.

Game Components of Zuuli

Cards: Animal cards, enclosure cards, and upgrade cards.

New Plot enclosures: Each player starts with one.

Hand of cards: Initial cards dealt to players at the beginning of the game.

Mini Expansion: An optional 18-card expansion that includes a new plot for 6-player games.

How To Setup Zuuli

To set up Zuuli, each player starts with one New Plot enclosure and a hand of cards. The remaining cards are shuffled and dealt out according to the player count, ensuring the hand size scales appropriately. Players then prepare for the drafting phase, where they will pick and pass cards to build their zoo.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players pick one card from their hand and pass the rest to the next player, similar to games like Sushi Go and Seven Wonders, though with a simultaneous draft-then-reveal mechanism.

Set Collection: Collecting enclosures, rescuing animals, and installing upgrades to build a high-scoring wildlife park.

Tableau Building: Players arrange their zoo into a tableau at the end of each round for scoring.

End-of-Round Scoring: Points are accumulated over three rounds based on sets and other rules.

Memory-Based Skills: Players need to remember which cards have been drafted, especially in lower player counts.

Player Experience

Playing Zuuli is a fun and challenging experience, especially for fans of card drafting games. The game requires a balance between collecting animals and ensuring there are enough enclosures to house them. A key strategy is to avoid being too greedy, as having too many animals without enclosures can result in zero points for a round. The game lasts about 30 minutes and is suitable for both adults and children.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: Combines familiar card drafting mechanisms with a unique zoo-building theme.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for both adults and kids.

Short Playtime: Games typically last around 30 minutes.

Challenging Decision-Making: Requires strategic thinking and memory skills.

Cons

Dependence on First Impressions: The game’s art and design might not immediately appeal to some players.

Potential for Significant Score Disparities: Poor early-round decisions can put a player significantly behind their opponents.

Personal Thoughts on Zuuli

Zuuli is ideal for those who enjoy card drafting games and are looking for a light, yet engaging experience. It’s a great choice for families or casual game nights, offering a simple yet satisfying puzzle to solve each round. While it doesn’t reinvent the card drafting wheel, it provides a fresh and enjoyable twist on the genre. Fans of games like Sushi Go and Seven Wonders will find Zuuli easy to pick up and enjoy.

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