Octopus Overlords

baelthazar wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:50 pm While I really want this, I need to remember how I owned both the Medieval one and the original and never played either. The gameplay is just a bit too simple for my tastes (Core Space, for example, is just as easy to play and has more going for it).

That said, I do love the theme. I sort of regret selling the Dark Ages one.

raydude wrote: Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:20 pm

baelthazar wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:50 pm While I really want this, I need to remember how I owned both the Medieval one and the original and never played either. The gameplay is just a bit too simple for my tastes (Core Space, for example, is just as easy to play and has more going for it).

That said, I do love the theme. I sort of regret selling the Dark Ages one.

I decided to back this as I have never owned a Zombiecide game and I do like the idea of Zombies in the Old West. That said, what do folks who have Zombicide think of the gameplay? Is it something a 9 and 13-year-old would be able to grasp? How's the art in the previous games? Is it over the top? Filled with gore?

baelthazar wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 10:42 am

raydude wrote: Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:20 pm

baelthazar wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:50 pm While I really want this, I need to remember how I owned both the Medieval one and the original and never played either. The gameplay is just a bit too simple for my tastes (Core Space, for example, is just as easy to play and has more going for it).

That said, I do love the theme. I sort of regret selling the Dark Ages one.

I decided to back this as I have never owned a Zombiecide game and I do like the idea of Zombies in the Old West. That said, what do folks who have Zombicide think of the gameplay? Is it something a 9 and 13-year-old would be able to grasp? How's the art in the previous games? Is it over the top? Filled with gore?

IIRC, there isn't a lot of overt gore (other than body parts and bloodstains), but there DOES tend to be a lot of "sexy" scuplts. Even the zombies in the previous editions had thongs showing through their tattered skirts, loads of cleavage, and shapely legs. The survivors are similarly hypersexualized (particularly the women). I looked at this KS and it seems like they are following the dressing conventions of the era, with only one or two (the obligatory Wild West prostitute named Trixie, for example) being scantily clad. This may not be a big deal, but since I don't know your feelings on this and it WAS something the original and Dark Ages were criticized for, I thought I would mention it.

The gameplay loop is pretty simple and would probably be fine for the 9 year old (absolutely for the 13yo). Zombies move towards noise or line of sight PCs. PCs get certain movement points and can take a limited number of actions. Items are clear and usually give bonus die, defense, or better types of attacks (like ranged or area of effect). It's a dice fest. The more zombies you kill, the faster you level up your characters to get some extra bonuses. Usually the scenario has some goal (such as reach an area, find an item, destroy an item, or kill an abomination). Zombie variety isn't particularly great, so you don't have to worry about keeping track of too many stats and things.

Part of why I didn't keep my copies is that I did not find it a compelling solo play game (in comparison to others I have) and you have to play multiple characters (often at least 3-4). It wasn't complex enough to warrant me setting it up and playing. That said, given the remote nature of my work, this new one may be a great "between meetings or turn during downtime" game. Like Hentzau said though, I've got Shadows of Brimstone (a FAR more complicated game) if I want a wild west fix.

raydude wrote:

baelthazar wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 10:42 am

raydude wrote: Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:20 pm

baelthazar wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:50 pm While I really want this, I need to remember how I owned both the Medieval one and the original and never played either. The gameplay is just a bit too simple for my tastes (Core Space, for example, is just as easy to play and has more going for it).

That said, I do love the theme. I sort of regret selling the Dark Ages one.

I decided to back this as I have never owned a Zombiecide game and I do like the idea of Zombies in the Old West. That said, what do folks who have Zombicide think of the gameplay? Is it something a 9 and 13-year-old would be able to grasp? How's the art in the previous games? Is it over the top? Filled with gore?

IIRC, there isn't a lot of overt gore (other than body parts and bloodstains), but there DOES tend to be a lot of "sexy" scuplts. Even the zombies in the previous editions had thongs showing through their tattered skirts, loads of cleavage, and shapely legs. The survivors are similarly hypersexualized (particularly the women). I looked at this KS and it seems like they are following the dressing conventions of the era, with only one or two (the obligatory Wild West prostitute named Trixie, for example) being scantily clad. This may not be a big deal, but since I don't know your feelings on this and it WAS something the original and Dark Ages were criticized for, I thought I would mention it.

The gameplay loop is pretty simple and would probably be fine for the 9 year old (absolutely for the 13yo). Zombies move towards noise or line of sight PCs. PCs get certain movement points and can take a limited number of actions. Items are clear and usually give bonus die, defense, or better types of attacks (like ranged or area of effect). It's a dice fest. The more zombies you kill, the faster you level up your characters to get some extra bonuses. Usually the scenario has some goal (such as reach an area, find an item, destroy an item, or kill an abomination). Zombie variety isn't particularly great, so you don't have to worry about keeping track of too many stats and things.

Part of why I didn't keep my copies is that I did not find it a compelling solo play game (in comparison to others I have) and you have to play multiple characters (often at least 3-4). It wasn't complex enough to warrant me setting it up and playing. That said, given the remote nature of my work, this new one may be a great "between meetings or turn during downtime" game. Like Hentzau said though, I've got Shadows of Brimstone (a FAR more complicated game) if I want a wild west fix.

Thanks for the rundown. Yeah, I took a look at the cards and I think we'll be ok for the most part. I have read reviews and watched "how-to-play" videos of Shadows of Brimestone and it seems like too much setup for me and the kiddos. Heck, I still have Gloomhaven, Street Masters, and Western Legends if I need something on the more complicated side, so Undead or Alive may fill that "quick game" niche.

raydude wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 8:53 pm Thanks for the rundown. Yeah, I took a look at the cards and I think we'll be ok for the most part. I have read reviews and watched "how-to-play" videos of Shadows of Brimestone and it seems like too much setup for me and the kiddos. Heck, I still have Gloomhaven, Street Masters, and Western Legends if I need something on the more complicated side, so Undead or Alive may fill that "quick game" niche.

Boardgamegeek.com wrote:Flick 'em Up!: Dead of Winter pits players against zombies in a dexterity game that has you using tools in various ways to take out the undead while they in turn shamble somewhat randomly in your direction.

Based on the best-selling Dead of Winter, form your group of ten survivors and explore the city with ten scenarios. Shh! The slightest sound will wake the zombies! With the new — and terrifying — zombie tower, you'd better be ready and rearing to go when the zombies attack! Will you be able to flick some zombies?

Anonymous Bosch wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 10:28 pm

raydude wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 8:53 pm Thanks for the rundown. Yeah, I took a look at the cards and I think we'll be ok for the most part. I have read reviews and watched "how-to-play" videos of Shadows of Brimestone and it seems like too much setup for me and the kiddos. Heck, I still have Gloomhaven, Street Masters, and Western Legends if I need something on the more complicated side, so Undead or Alive may fill that "quick game" niche.

If you're after an enjoyable zombie-themed title to try with kids that plays quickly and is also easy to set up, have you considered Flick 'em Up!: Dead of Winter? It does a surprisingly good job of combining the immensely enjoyable Crokinole-ish dexterity aspects from the original Flick 'em Up along with the narrative of Dead of Winter. It also portrays zombies in a fun and somewhat realistic way, with the zombies in the game being more akin to a force of nature. There's nothing gruesome to worry about in the game's artwork, either. As long as your children are unlikely to be afraid of the idea of the game (summed up below), there's really nothing in the game itself likely to be all that scary:

YellowKing wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:27 pm The Dark Knight Returns game just launched so I immediately backed it. I'm in for the base version; the deluxe minis and case are nice, but for an extra $50 I'd rather just buy an additional game.

Things I like:
- Designed for solo only. I'm always intrigued by games designed specifically for solo play, particularly since that's the way I play my games 90% of the time.
- Theme - I'm a HUGE Batman fan, and The Dark Knight Returns storyline is an all-time classic
- Those custom batarang dice are completely absurd, and I'm a sucker for highly customized dice

Things that scare me:
- I'm not yet sold on the board design. Looks more like a 1950s spy game than a Batman game
- Replayability - it is fun enough to run through the campaign more than once?
- I didn't particularly care for either of the Cryptozoic published games I played (DC Deckbuilding game and Walking Dead: No Sanctuary)

Hoping there are some good stretch goals. I'm still open to backing out depending on seeing some gameplay previews. But for now I'm in.

coopasonic wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:06 pm Another new Aeon's End game hit kickstarter today. I am not going to link it because then I'll be tempted to back it. Passing on Aeon's End, Zombicide and Batman is a whole new level of self control for me.

Zarathud wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:10 pm CMON is terrible these days. Zombicide 2.0 boat just left the port.

But it’s not just them. Tiny Epic Pirates just got off the boat.

Zarathud wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:10 pm CMON is terrible these days. Zombicide 2.0 boat just left the port.

But it’s not just them. Tiny Epic Pirates just got off the boat.

baelthazar wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 12:46 am That said, I am super excited about Middara

YellowKing wrote: Wed Mar 03, 2021 5:22 pm I'm sure all the Middara backers got the email, but looks like Wave 1 should be in our hands by April. North America shipments are being picked up March 5th and should be in Indiana for final fulfillment by March 31.