Zombies Keep Out (2014) Board Game

Zombies Keep Out is a cooperative board game released in 2014, designed by Manny Trembley and featuring artwork by Privateer Press. The game is set in a world where players must work together to fend off an invasion of zombies trying to break into their castle.

Game Components of Zombies Keep Out

Game board featuring a besieged brownstone

Goblin player characters

Zombie figures

Contraption parts

“Terrible Things” cards

Trade and action tokens

Pool of zombies (represented by a literal swimming pool full of zombies)

How To Setup Zombies Keep Out

To set up the game, players place the game board in the middle of the playing area, representing the besieged brownstone. Each player chooses a goblin character and places it on the board. The contraption parts, trade and action tokens, and “Terrible Things” cards are shuffled and placed within reach. The pool of zombies is prepared according to the game’s instructions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to defend against zombies.

Resource Management: Players manage trade and action tokens to perform various tasks.

Contraption Building: Players collect and sequence parts to build contraptions.

Terrible Things Cards: Players draw cards that add challenges, such as adding zombies, moving zombies, or infecting characters.

Game Objective: Build three contraptions while defending against the zombie horde and avoiding infection.

Player Experience

In **Zombies Keep Out**, players take on the roles of goblin tinkerers defending their workshop from a zombie invasion. Each turn, players can trade, take an action (such as repairing damage, defending against zombies, or tinkering with contraptions), and deal with the challenges presented by the “Terrible Things” cards. The game becomes increasingly urgent as the zombie pool depletes and the risk of infection rises. The game is designed to be fun for children, with cartoonish characters, while also offering complex gameplay that engages adults.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children aged 8 and above.

Cooperative Fun: Encourages teamwork and strategy.

High Replayability: Many ways to lose and only one way to win, offering varied gameplay experiences.

Adjustable Difficulty: Can be modified for younger players by allowing the group to decide the “Terrible Thing” for each card drawn.

Engaging Theme: Unique blend of goblins and zombies adds a fresh twist to cooperative games.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for very young or inexperienced players.

Length: Games can take 45 minutes or more, which might be too long for some players.

Luck Factor: The draw of “Terrible Things” cards can introduce a significant element of luck, which might frustrate some players.

Personal Thoughts on Zombies Keep Out

**Zombies Keep Out** is an excellent choice for families and groups looking for a cooperative game that combines fun and strategy. It is particularly suitable for children who enjoy imaginative themes and are developing their strategic planning skills. Adults will also find the game engaging, as it requires careful decision-making and teamwork to win. If you’re a fan of cooperative games or are looking for something new to spice up your game nights, **Zombies Keep Out** is definitely worth considering.

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