Zooscape

Arclight Games, OKAZU Brand, Tasty Minstrel Games · Board game · 2015
6.5 Ludopedia 5.7 BGG 3–6 · best 4 15–30 min Weight 1.2/5
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6.5 rating Ludopedia
5.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Zooscape is the most frantic zoo chase, where every choice counts.

Highlights
  • Real‑time strategic choice
  • Fast cards and simultaneous decisions
  • Simple rules, surprising depth
Keep in mind
  • Cage limit can cut points
  • Repetitive rounds may tire some
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Zooscape is that ultra‑fast card game where a zoo chase turns into pure chaos and strategy. In each round, a player lays out a row of twelve animal cards, each with a point value and a cage limit. The twist is that the starting player splits the row in two, and the rest of the players simultaneously choose which half they want. If only one player picks a side, they take all the cards in it. If more than one does, the chooser splits that group again and everyone votes again. This repeats until each player has cards or only single cards remain, which go to a special pile. At the start of each round, a special card is added, and whoever wins that pile takes all the cards in it. After three rounds, scoring kicks in: if you exceed a cage’s limit, you only score one point per card instead of the card’s value. Some cards let you remove cards from your collection, giving you a chance to stay under the limit and score higher. The challenge is deciding whether to collect or avoid cards to keep your total value high. Zooscape blends “I Cut, You Choose” with “Set Collection” and the tension of simultaneous choice, creating a short, intense, and super fun experience for card‑game lovers who enjoy choice and collection mechanics.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–6 players
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Folk Tales & Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel
Publisher Arclight Games, OKAZU Brand, Tasty Minstrel Games, Zoch Verlag
Designer Hisashi Hayashi
Artist Katy Lipscomb, Michael Menzel, Ryo Nyamo

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play?
3 to 6 players, with 4 or 5 being the sweet spot for fast action.
What’s the typical playtime?
A game lasts about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of players.
What’s the complexity level?
Medium – rules are simple, but the cutting and simultaneous choice strategy keeps you on your toes.
What components are included?
A 144‑card animal deck, a special pile, and scoring tokens.
Who’s the target audience?
Anyone who loves quick card games with choice and collection mechanics and enjoys a friendly competitive vibe.
Are there expansions or variants?
No official expansions, but the community often creates casual rule tweaks and card variants.

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