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Boom & Zoom (Second Edition) (2018) Board Game

Boom & Zoom (Second Edition) is an abstract strategy board game released in 2018, designed by Amabel Holland and featuring artwork by Hollandspiele. The game is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of about 20 minutes. It falls under the category of abstract strategy games and utilizes grid movement on a square grid board.

Game Components of Boom & Zoom

  • Board: An 8 × 8 grid playing mat.
  • Counters: 12 stackable black counters and 12 stackable white counters, each 40 mm × 40 mm in size, made of wood.
  • Designer: Ty Bomba.
  • Artist: Tom Russell.

    How To Setup Boom & Zoom

    To set up the game, each player places four stacks of height 3 on the four central squares of their home row on the 8 × 8 board. This initial setup is symmetrical, with each player starting with an identical configuration.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Movement (Zoom): Stacks can move in a straight line, orthogonally or diagonally, over free squares, with the movement distance capped by the stack’s height.
  • Capture (Boom): If a square a stack could otherwise move to is occupied by an opposing piece, one counter of the opposing stack is removed.
  • Scoring: Stacks moving beyond the opposing base row leave the board and are scored, with each counter worth one point.
  • Game End: The game ends when a turn removes the last piece of a player from the board. The player with the most points wins.

    Player Experience

    Boom & Zoom offers a clean and strategic gameplay experience. The game state is easy to read, but making a good move can be challenging. This balance makes the game engaging and requires careful planning. The use of line-of-sight capture and the impact of stack height on movement and capture range add depth to the game.

    Pros

  • Clear Game State: Easy to understand the current state of the game.
  • Strategic Depth: Challenging to play well, requiring thoughtful moves.
  • Scalable: The game can be adjusted by changing board dimensions, starting positions, and stack limits.
  • Simple yet Engaging Mechanics: Combines movement and capture in a straightforward yet engaging way.

    Cons

  • Limited Themes: As an abstract game, it lacks thematic elements that some players might find appealing.
  • Potential for Draws: Games can end in a draw if both players have equal scores.

    Personal Thoughts on Boom & Zoom

    Boom & Zoom is perfect for fans of abstract strategy games who enjoy simple, yet deeply strategic gameplay. It is ideal for players who appreciate games that require careful planning and execution. Ty Bomba considers this his best-ever design, and the game’s clarity and scalability make it a great addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking without overwhelming complexity, Boom & Zoom is an excellent choice.

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