Humans...taste so good...
Marvel Zombies: A Zombicide Game
Designer: Fabio Cury, Michael Shinall
Artist: Marco Checchetto, Henning Ludvigsen
Published: 2023
Players: 1-6
Playing Time: 60 Mins
BGG Rating: 7.7
BGG Ranking: 2484
Publisher: CMON, Guillotine Games
Mechanics: Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Modular Board, Solitaire Game
Sleeves: MUS 41x63mm, BLC 70x110mm
Game Description:
In Marvel Zombies: A Zombicide Game, the hunger takes hold after many superheroes in the Marvel Universe have been turned into zombies. You play as these infected heroes and will be eating people to satisfy your hunger...and objectives within the game.
Quick play overview:
Players are controling Zombified heroes that try to survive?
Game is is player over a series of turns that are divided into
1. Player Phase where players can do up to 3 actions from:
- Move between zones
- Attack
- Interact with objects (collecting/throwing stuff, opening doors..)
- Gain one trait
2. Enemy Phase where enemies will move/attack the heroes and then spawn new enemies
The trick of this version is that Zombies are not mindless creatures but heroes controlled by players. Each turn hero's hunger will increase which will increase thier strenght (no. of dice thrown) but also slowly push them to become a mindless zombie that will be only able to move and eat a living thing to satiate the hunger back to normal or take damage.
The second big difference is that this time players don't search for equipment but rather collect one time use bonuses called Traits.
Final thoughts:
I like this version of Zombicide much better than the previous ones.
Super hero IP is a better option than a generic fantasy theme.
Searching for equipment was a very random action that could make you a super hero or dunkey carrying tons of useless items. While a trait is not something that you must have to survive, but rather something that you use when a specific need arises. Players don't feel the need to spend a few turns searching for the perfect trait and waste time like in previous versions.
SCORE:
Gameplay: 8/10
Kicking the ass with super hero powers while trying to accomplish the scenario goals has never been so badass. The new trait system is a great change to the equipments.
Art & Graphic Design: 9/10
The minis are amazing and the the game pops on the table. As always the art with Zombicide games is top notch.
Graphic design is clean and well done. The only complain are the hard to see grey icons on the maps which are otherwise very vibrant.
Rules & Complexity: 8/10
The rules are even simpler than previous versions. Previous Zombicides had a lot of keywords that had to be checked from time to time. This version has all the text on the cards.
Player turns are simple and the complexity is never in the way of the fun. The Enemy Phase is also simple but in big scenarios is still simple just takes a bit too much time.
Theme: 10/10
Running around as super heroes kicking ass of hundreds of enemies? A great theme already. A Zombie super hero that needs to eat somebody from time to time? Even better.
Fun & Replayability: 8/10
I'm having fun playing Zombicide after a long time. Jumping around, making super hero noises and kicking ass is great fun.
I never replayed any other Zombicide games that we had.. this one might change that. The fact that a super hero is kicking ass might even let me forget that I'm doing the same mission again. Of course I don't plan to convince serious players to replay a campaign, but playing this game with new players should be much easier than before.