New York Zoo (2020) Board Game

New York Zoo is a board game released in 2020 designed by Uwe Rosenberg and published by Feuerland Spiele. The game is set in a zoo where players compete to build the best zoo by acquiring animals and expanding their enclosures.

Game Components of New York Zoo

8 Double-sided Zoo Boards

1 Action Strip (main board)

45 Puzzle Piece Tiles

10 Animal Tiles

6 Special Tokens

32 Attraction Tiles

126 Custom Wooden Animal Tokens.

How To Setup New York Zoo

To set up the game, lay the main board in the middle of the table and arrange the Enclosure tiles into separate piles based on their color. Fill the Enclosure tile spaces alongside the game board with the appropriate tiles, starting with the smallest and working up to the largest. Each player receives a zoo board corresponding to the player count, along with two animals printed on the board. Players place these animals into one of their empty houses, and the remaining animal meeples are stored nearby. The Elephant pawn is placed next to the space marked with the red dot, and the Attraction tiles are set aside for later use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Polyomino Puzzle: Players use Tetris-shaped animal enclosure puzzle pieces to fill their zoo boards.

Animal Breeding: Certain animals breed and produce offspring when conditions are met.

Attraction Tiles: Used to fill gaps in the zoo board and aid in completing the board.

Game Objective

The goal is to be the first player to fill their entire zoo board with Enclosure Tiles and Attraction Tiles. On each turn, players can either add a new enclosure tile to their board or acquire new animals to populate their existing enclosures. Animal breeding occurs when the Elephant pawn crosses breeding lines on the main board, and filled enclosures are cleared to make way for Attraction tiles.

Player Experience

**New York Zoo** offers a straightforward yet strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance the placement of enclosure tiles and the acquisition of animals to maximize their chances of animal breeding. The game is easy to learn but requires careful planning, especially in the final rounds. It supports 1 to 5 players, with a playtime of 30 to 60 minutes. The game is praised for its relaxing atmosphere and is suitable for both casual players and those who enjoy more complex puzzle games. However, some players have noted that it can become less interactive and exciting if one player is significantly ahead.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Combines puzzle-solving with animal breeding mechanics.

Variety: Supports 1 to 5 players, including a solo mode.

Relaxing: Offers a calming and enjoyable gameplay experience.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Players primarily focus on their own boards with minimal direct interaction.

Thin Player Boards: The boards are flimsy and prone to damage.

Color Coding Issues: Some components are hard to distinguish due to similar colors.

Rulebook Clarity: Some parts of the rulebook can be ambiguous.

Personal Thoughts on New York Zoo

**New York Zoo** is ideal for fans of puzzle games, particularly those who enjoyed Uwe Rosenberg’s **Patchwork**. It is a great option for families and casual gamers due to its easy-to-learn mechanics and relaxing gameplay. However, players seeking high levels of interaction or complex, heavy strategy may find it less engaging. It works well with kids, making it a versatile addition to any board game collection.

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