Game review 93: Zombie Kidz Evolution
Annick Lobet's game gets its ingenuity from breaking down the co-op legacy mechanic into just about its simplistic, family-friendly form possible
The American High School movie elicits a lot of nostalgia for days spent running in the corridors. Mainly, as a Brit, that nostalgia comes in the form of asking questions such as: “What’s a sophomore?” “Why are they in detention on a Saturday?” And “Why have they let a werewolf into class?”
Usually involving a gang of basket-case, goth outsider, jock and rich-kid students eventually breaking down boundaries and coalescing for a common good, it’s a concept that Annick Lobet has deployed with Zombie Kidz Evolution, as our gang of four attempt to save their school from the zombified hordes of mutant teachers and caretakers
Zombies you say? In a board game? What a novel idea! Ah, but here’s the rub. Zombie Kidz Evolution gets its ingenuity from breaking down the co-op legacy mechanic into just about its simplistic, family-friendly form possible.
Sure, we can quibble about the realism of a five-room high school, but it’s what suits the game. Up to four players control up to four student characters facing off against eight zombies. One zombie enters the school per turn – where they enter depends on the colour-coded roll of a die, but it’s up to the players to strategise how they use their two movements a turn.
Initially, it’s simply a case of eliminating the zombies they’re in the same room as and ensuring that no three zombies share the same space – if so, that room is overrun and they cannot be removed, reducing the pool to play with. If all zombies are on the board, then it’s game over and you’re on the menu.
However, thirteen enticing envelopes come in the box, opened only when enough victories have been achieved. When one opens, new powers to either the players or the zombies are granted, changing the game play considerably, which will require new tactics for the players to consider.
To say more is to ruin the surprise, but on top of the lure and mystery of the envelopes, there’s a whole interactive rulebook E takes great delight in adding to, with its sticker sheet monitoring progress and additional rules to embrace. As such, it’s a game we return to often: changes are introduced gradually, ensuring that game play never gets overwhelming either for the kid who just wants to play or for the frazzled parent trying to teach.
Downsides? Zombie Kidz Evolution has a shelf life. Once the envelopes are opened, the game itself, while fun, fair and engaging, doesn’t have the sheer replayability of, say Carcassonne and isn’t quite worth skipping class for.
But sometimes it’s the journey that counts, particularly one that’s taken together, with all parties heading in the same direction. Until No.13 gets opened, this is a game that’s going to get you swotting up on strategies.
Game facts and stats
Age
7+
Year first published
2018
Publisher
Scorpion Masqué
Designer
Annick Lobet
Player count
2–4
E’s review
What do you like best about the game?
“It’s so fun. You should really have it. I just love that you can get new things from it.”
Is it tricky?
“A little bit but not really. You’ve got to try it out.”
Marks out of 10?
“150/10”
My review
Set-up time
About five minutes. The initial rules are fairly simple and won’t take long to learn and teach.
Price
Aim to get a copy for no more than £20 ($27)
Practicality
A very compact box made possible by a fold-up board. Components are minimal: four playable characters, 8 zombies, one die, a rulebook with intriguing empty spaces: and the contents of 13 envelopes.
Fun for parents?
It’s probably one you’re going to want to play with your kids rather than friends, mainly for the reason that you won’t get it to the table enough with them to make full use of the legacy dynamics. But across the generations it’s a great one to get communicating and collaborating.
8.5/10
If you like this, try…
Share The Generations Games? Ah, go on…
if you made it this far, you’re probably keen on family tabletop games, and games with a strong social theme. Forwarding to a like-minded friend can make a huge difference to the future of The Generations Games and our hopes to expand our output.