Stats:
No. of players: 1-6
Amount of time to play: 45-60 min
Age requirements: 8+
Set-up time: 5 min

Zombies Keep Out is a cooperative game where the players are bodgers. You must build three contraptions to fend off the zombies before they overrun your location.

Zombies Keep Out Rules Description:

The board for Zombies Keep Out is made up of five columns made up of five rows. At the top of each column is a part of the building you are defending, the cellar, door, balcony and two windows. Each of these also has an unmade contraption associated with it. You win if you build three of five possible contraptions. The locations start with barricade tokens but are overtaken once they are all removed. But you lose if the zombies break through three of the locations or if they get through the door.

On your turn you draw a card from the Deck of Terrible Things. Each card has three options you can choose. Many add zombies to the board, move zombies toward the building or slow your progress in finishing the contraptions. And some even require you to take a bite token. You must choose an action that you can actually perform. If there are none on the card you can accomplish then all zombies move toward the building. Each zombie that hits the building is destroyed and removes two barricade tokens from that location.

If there are ever four or more zombies in a space you choose which zombies will push forward into the next space toward the building. There are four types of zombies and different zombies move to different columns when they move forward.

After resolving the terrible card you drew, you may take one of five actions, tinker, scrounge, defend, repair or activate a completed contraption. To tinker you must have a parts card that matches the next icon on the contraption card. This advances the token one space. When you scrounge you add two parts cards to your hand. Defending lets you eliminate zombies from one space based on the parts card you must discard. A repair action lets you discard parts cards to replace barricade tokens. Once you complete a contraption you can use it help destroy the zombies. In addition to one of these actions you may trade one card with another player at any time during your turn.

The game changes a bit once you get bit tokens. After getting one bite token you can no longer trade with other players. A second one denies you the ability to tinker. A third causes you to randomly choose the option you’ll use when you draw a card from the Deck of Terrible Things. And a fourth forces you to draw another terrible card instead of taking an action.

A Quick Review of Zombies Keep Out

Zombies Keep Out is a light, fun and thematic cooperative board game. You must work well with the other players to manage the zombie infestation while completing the contraptions.

The components for this game are well done. The style and presentation are similar to the other board games in the bodgers series. The artwork is fun and matches the tone of the game. It is not scary or gory. The miniatures are decent and everything is color-coded so recognizing the different zombie types and where they move is easy. The rules are easy to read and follow too.

This is a family-friendly zombie game. Like I said the zombies are not gross and won’t scare your kids and the decisions are not overly complex. It is challenging and there are even different variants in the rules that make it easier or harder.

I have to say I really like the bite tokens and how they affect players and what they can do. That is in theory. It fits the theme and seems like an interesting mechanic to represent turning into a zombie. The problem is that it isn’t very fun. Not being able to take full part in the game is almost like player elimination. It is not terrible but it can dampen the fun for some players.

If you are looking for a fun cooperative game that is easy to teach and learn and good for families, try Zombies Keep Out. If you are a fan of the bodger game series or zombie-themed games you might enjoy this too.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 3 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction 4 out of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 3 out of 6
Fun 4 out of 6
Overall 4 out of 6