Zoo-ography (2021) Board Game

Zoo-ography is a board game released in 2021, designed by Marc Hampson and featuring artwork by Doomsday Robots. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Animals, City Building, and Puzzle games. The game incorporates various mechanisms such as Open Drafting, Pattern Building, Set Collection, Solo/Solitaire Gameplay, and Tile Placement. With a playtime of 15-45 minutes, Zoo-ography is suitable for 1-4 players aged 12 and above.

Game Components of Zoo-ography

Building tiles for zoo construction

Animal cards representing various species

Attraction tokens

Animeeples (animal meeples)

Player boards

Drafting mechanism components

How To Setup Zoo-ography

To set up Zoo-ography, players first prepare the building tiles, animal cards, and attraction tokens. Each player selects a player board and a set of animeeples. The game starts with a central pool of building tiles and animal cards, which are drafted as the game progresses. Players lay out their zoo area on their boards, ready to begin constructing their unique zoological park.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile-laying: Players construct their zoo by laying out building tiles.

Drafting: Players draft building tiles and animal cards to populate their zoo.

Variable Objectives: Each player has different objectives to achieve.

Simultaneous Play: Players take turns simultaneously, adding a layer of strategy and time management.

Game Objective: The goal is to design the most attractive and diverse zoo, balancing habitat construction, animal placement, and attraction setup.

Player Experience

In Zoo-ography, players engage in a strategic and creative process of building their ideal zoo. The game combines the satisfaction of tile-laying and drafting with the challenge of meeting variable objectives. Players must balance the need to create suitable habitats for their animals with the desire to include attractive features that will draw visitors.

Pros

Creative Freedom: Players have a lot of flexibility in designing their zoo.

Strategic Depth: The combination of tile-laying, drafting, and variable objectives adds complexity.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Replayability: Different objectives and random tile draws ensure unique gameplay experiences.

Cons

Complex Setup: Preparing the game components can be time-consuming.

Learning Curve: New players may need some time to understand the various mechanics.

Component Management: Managing the numerous tiles, cards, and tokens can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Zoo-ography

Zoo-ography is perfect for fans of tile-laying games and those who enjoy a mix of strategy and creativity. It is an excellent choice for families or casual gamers looking for a game that offers both fun and depth. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a quick, simple game experience due to its setup time and learning curve. Overall, it is a great addition to any board game collection for those who appreciate building and managing their own unique zoological parks.

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