Escape: Zombie City (2014) Board Game

Escape: Zombie City is a cooperative board game that was released in in 2014. Designed by Stephanie Böhm, Marko Fiedler, and Kevin Long, this game puts players in a city overrun by zombies, where they must work together to escape before time runs out. With a real-time element and dice rolling mechanics, Escape: Zombie City offers an intense gaming experience for 2-4 players.

Game Components of Escape: Zombie City

Player tokens: Each player chooses a survivor token.

Dice: 5 dice per player for rolling actions.

Zombie cards: Different categories of zombies (weak, strong, very strong).

Item tiles: Various items needed for survival and escape.

Street section tiles: For exploring the city.

Van and van tile: For the final escape.

Soundtrack CD: Provides the game’s real-time timer and signals.

Zombie bag: Holds the zombies to be drawn during the game.

How To Setup Escape: Zombie City

To set up the game, players start by creating the draw pile with the zombie cards and item tiles. Each player selects a token and 5 dice, placing their token on the church. The van and van tile are placed next to the draw pile. Zombies are put into the bag, and the soundtrack is prepared. Players draw the initial zombie cards and place them face down on the cemetery. The game begins when the soundtrack signals “Escape!”

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Real-time gameplay: The game is played without rounds, within a 15-minute timeframe.

Dice rolling: Players roll dice to perform actions such as entering street sections, revealing new areas, searching for items, and fighting zombies.

Teamwork: Players combine their dice rolls to defeat zombies.

Item collection: Players collect items needed to start the van and escape.

Zombie management: Prevent zombies from reaching the church.

Objective: Escape the city by starting the van and leaving before the zombies overrun the church.

Player Experience

In **Escape: Zombie City**, players experience a frantic and cooperative journey. The real-time mechanic adds a layer of urgency, making every decision count. Players must coordinate their actions, share resources, and work together to survive the zombie hordes. The game’s swift pace and the need for immediate reactions create a thrilling environment that mimics the chaos of a zombie apocalypse.

Pros

High replayability: Different zombie cards and item tiles ensure varied gameplay each time.

Cooperative gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategy.

Immersive theme: The real-time soundtrack and urgent gameplay enhance the zombie apocalypse experience.

Simple yet engaging mechanics: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Cons

Limited player control: The real-time nature can be overwhelming, leaving little time for strategic planning.

High dependency on luck: Dice rolls can significantly affect the game’s outcome.

Limited solo play: Designed primarily for cooperative play, solo play may lack the same excitement.

Personal Thoughts on Escape: Zombie City

**Escape: Zombie City** is perfect for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy a thrilling, fast-paced experience. It’s ideal for groups of friends or family seeking a challenging and immersive adventure. However, players who prefer more control over their game or enjoy solo play might find this game less appealing. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection for those who love cooperative real-time gameplay.

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