When it comes to games, you often find that they are similar, except for a few details, like eggs with eggs. The same thing is starting to happen with board games, so it’s nice to see smaller publishers bringing some originality. Today I have a review of the Zoo Vadis board for you, which will allow you to unleash your political skills in the skin of an animal species. The following lines will tell you how it works in practice.
Number of players: 3-7 (the more the better)
Play time: 30-45 minutes
Price: 1099 CZK (Tlama Games)
Age: 10+
There can only be one “ruler” in the park – the Vadis Zoo.
Politics and animals? These are difficult topics to combine, but the creators of the Zoo Vadis album managed to combine them into one functional block. The local zoo is holding a competition for places in a special enclosure. Everyone wants to get into it, but as it happens, some things are not so easy to implement. At the very beginning of the game, you have the opportunity to choose one of the animal species whose representatives want to be placed in the premium exposition.
The menu includes a crocodile, a hyena, a rhinoceros, a tiger, or an armadillo. Each species has very beautifully designed figures. However, the visual treatment is not the only thing that distinguishes them from each other. Another factor is the fact that all species have a certain skill that they cannot use for their own benefit, but only to help others. And this is the first moment when you can engage in politics. Because there is nothing better than exchanging the use of abilities with others in the name of moving your figure as far as possible inside the enclosures.
For example, the armadillo is good, being able to take you through holes to places where you can’t get by normal routes. The format of handling individual skills is interesting, and how well you manage to use their potential is often decisive for victory. Their owners can be bribed with money or promises. However, with promises, the idea is that they are mandatory, at least for the first round. Once they expire, the promiser is not obliged to fulfill them. The concept is impressive, as it gives you the opportunity to be proactive and make the most of what you have. If you decide that you need money to activate your limited event, this may also be the right decision.
You use money here for a variety of purposes. The main one is probably bribery, which happens when you are in a room with a lot of people, with other animals. At that point, it is impossible to leave without a vote, in which you must have a majority of votes. You can get it either by using special abilities, or by persuading or bribing someone. The price you pay can vary. It depends primarily on the contract, and supply usually determines demand, so the greater the need on your side, the more juice you will have to pay. However, there are not only “people” in the zoo.
Besides them, there are also peacocks in the enclosures. These special residents are very fond of bribes. So when you find yourself in the place they occupy, you will have to pay. However, they do not accept any small change, so whoever does not pay the appropriate amount will not be released further. I think it is magical that you need to not only move your figures during your turn. You can also get to the peacocks to make life difficult for your enemies. To top it all off, there is also a manager who can also be moved so that your enemies do not receive money while moving between exhibits.
The target position is not far at first glance, but the path to it is sometimes not easy. Just find smart opponents and you will have fun. Fortunately, you send most of your species on this great quest, so with luck, one of them will eventually end. There are several positions on display. But once they are all captured, the game is over, because the prim is trying to get there. Once this is done, you can start counting points related to the money earned, as well as the captured place in the special zone.
Zoo Vadis makes it easy to bribe, lie and cheat
The basic mechanics of Zoo Vadis aren’t that hard to grasp. In fact, you get into the game pretty quickly. The fact that each of the game’s factions has different special abilities that they can use to help others as well as themselves is pretty important to the set. Because when you execute your moves correctly, your words, promises, and money can lead you to victory. I’d also like to point out the overall visual treatment, it’s really good.
Do you like board games where you can play different political games, bribe and maneuver? Then you definitely should not miss Zoo Vadis, because it is a great thing that can be enjoyed by both experienced players and beginners who do not have much experience in playing board games.
We would like to thank Czech distributor Old Dawg for providing us with a copy of Knarr.
Source :Indian TV
