Zoar (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Zoar is a board game that was released in in 2018. It is designed by Luís Brueh and Shaun Ellis, with artwork by Vesuvius Media. The game falls under the categories of Ancient, Bluffing, City Building, Fighting, and Territory Building. It involves area majority/influence, area movement, grid movement, pick-up and deliver, and variable player powers as its main mechanisms.

Game Components of Zoar

Game board

Player mats

Wooden cubes

Cards

Tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup Zoar

Set up the game board in the center of the table.

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player mat, cubes, cards, and tokens.

Place the cubes on the player mat according to the setup diagram.

Shuffle the cards and place them face down near the board.

Place the tokens within reach of all players.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Zoar, players take on the role of ancient city builders vying for control of territories. They must strategically place their cubes, bluff their opponents, and make tactical decisions to expand their influence and claim victory points. The game objective is to have the most victory points by the end of the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Beautiful artwork and components

Variable player powers add replay value

Quick runtime makes it easy to play multiple rounds

Cons:

Limited player interaction

Some may find the bluffing element frustrating

Learning curve for new players

Personal Thoughts on Zoar

Zoar is a well-designed board game with solid gameplay mechanics and attractive components. The blend of city building and territory control makes for an interesting experience, and the variable player powers add a nice element of asymmetry. The pricing and availability of the game may vary, but it is worth checking out for fans of strategy games. However, those who prefer heavy player interaction may find Zoar lacking in that aspect. Overall, Zoar is a game that is worth your time if you enjoy strategic board games and are looking for a new challenge. Fans of similar games like Small World and Cyclades may also appreciate what Zoar has to offer.

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