Zoo Vadis Review: Small Box, Big Arguments

Zoo Vadis is an evolution of Reiner Knizia’s classic negotiation game, Quo Vadis? It retains the elegant, political gameplay that fans have come to love while introducing many innovations and improvements by:

Enhancing the 3-player game and tailoring the board to all player counts through neutral, bribable figures—roaming peacocks
Widening the player count with a second game board for 6-7 players
Expanding the possibilities for strategic negotiation with asymmetric animal abilities
Increasing tactical opportunities with new special laurel tokens
Broadening the appeal of the theme and presentation with vibrant zoo art by Kwanchai Moriya and Brigette Indelicato
Enlivening the production with chunky animal figures and functional player screens

0:00 - Intro
0:51 - Brief Overview
4:02 - Review
8:46 - Final Thoughts

If you do, you can also use this code to get 2 free cupholders of your choice: GNS-Boardofit-2CUPS

Follow us on Instagram to see what games we're currently playing:
@boardofitreviews
And on Facebook:
Twitter:
@boardofitreview

[raymyers]

HAHAHAHA! I salute you Tallie! Sorry Farrell, as long as it's not against the rules: all is fair in love, war and negotiation games. She presented an idea to the other players and you were unable to counter it. THAT'S what I love about this genre! Again...well done Tallie!

[MagdalenaMichowska]

Excellent review! Well rounded - as always! Really liked the personal gameplay stories at the end 😄

[stevelovestacos]

I think the problem with that style of negotiation highlighted at the end of the video is the lack of consequences for the king makers that are throwing their position away.

Since there are no consequences, it is arguably up to the player to inflict meta-consequences, more commonly referred to as "holding a grudge" 😅 and maybe making every subsequent game "unfun" by always giving away all points.

Though at that point you might as well do away with the board, pieces etc and just play a negotiation game where you simply take turns to negotiate who the winner is.

It might just be that I'm terrible at negotiation games though

[JangezK]

I personally like this game

But I've learnt that quite a few people don't enjoy negotiating style of games

Well... what I've found is, this works with people who aren't that competitive

Ive played with some people who are highly competitive and when they don't win, despite trying to negotiate, they just end up hating on the game

The other issue is, its not a good entry game for people who don't play boardgames

[alexsaunders]

When I tell you I CACKLED 😂 I love a game with in game politics. Ferrel personally made it so people couldn’t win so those people personally made it so he wouldn’t either.

[FarkyJ]

i have this on my radar...but dont understand whats there to negiotate about in this game...is there a currency or any kind of things implemented in this?in spartacus we can barter almost about anything...money, slaves, guards, gladiators, support for organize games or even really anoying the kingmaking player with really tough schemes together in the intrigue phase....

[_EST]

Classic Zoo Vadis. If you can’t beat em, punish them

[MrSonny]

It's funny that people will reject the game because of the possibility of feeling bad and betrayed, I constantly buy board games to just betray my friends, that's the whole point. Waiting for a copy of this one.

[deborahpate]

It's a negotiation game and you were outnegotiated, sorry Farrell :)