(Photo credit to CMON)
Written by Ed Carter, Staff Writer
Zombicide Chronicles
Role Playing, post apocalyptic, miniatures
Welcome to the end of the world
Zombicide is one of the most popular games out there for a simple skirmish cooperative game. But what if you want to delve deeper? Make your characters more detailed and add some new challenges? CMON introduced Zombicide Chronicles, a Role Playing experience using the elements the board game.
A New in depth experience
In Chronicles, you create a character and use their abilities to complete tests. A character has 3 main attributes and a grid of 6 abilities. They also have skills that unlock when thresholds of experience are met. The tiles, cards and figures of Zombicide second edition can be used to increase the immersion in the game. Players assign points to their attributes and abilities and choose their skills they want to earn. They take on missions throughout the campaign to level up, get better gear, and become better zombie killers.
Unlike standard Zombicide, a game master is needed instead of the game driven mechanics for the zombies. In addition there are other survivors and some are not that friendly (like Neegan in The Walking Dead). Players are immersed in the world, trying to navigate through the gangs and hordes of the undead while making the best existence they can.
The game plays in two phases: The Zombicide Shelter phase and the Mission phase. In the Shelter phase, they improve their base, add supplies and store their gear. Their shelter is also under attack every phase and failure results in hunger, weakened defenses and even complete destruction. In the missions phase, players go out to complete a specific task they set out to achieve. From rescuing other survivors, making a supply run, scouting new locations and so on. The game master guides the action for the players. Players will roll dice attempting to get successes to pass the tests and complete the action. There are actions to shoot, scavenge, heal, and scout to name a few.
What you can do and how to do it: Taking a turn
Players get to complete 2 actions on their turn. Some are basic and may not need a roll to succeed. When a test is made, If the players roll the required number of successes, they succeed the action. If they fail, then they have trouble and complications arise. Players search for more gear and build up their arsenal to fight better in future missions. If the players accomplish the mission they earn experience. They gain enough experience, they level up and gain better skills and abilities. The game master increases the challenge in every round, adding more threats and obstacles if the mission takes longer to complete. Sometimes its better to live and fight another day, unless you want to join the undead. No shame in running when an abomination comes and you don’t have what it takes to eliminate it.
Players can take stress to help make successes on their rolls to minimize failure. They can spend adrenaline to gain more stress if needed. Any roll of 4 or higher can turn into a success by spending stress points. This helps players have some options with the dice.
Like regular Zombicide, the zombies have a target priority that has to be followed unless the player chooses to aim then they can choose their targets. Melee works similar, make a fight test and every success scores a hit on the opponent.
Mission debrief: Some final thoughts
Zombicide on its own is a fun lighthearted easy game to learn and play. Chronicles adds depth to that experience when you want more character development and a richer experience in the world of the game. It brings about more feeling to describe the world in greater details than your standard Zombicide games.
Until next time, keep moving those meeples and happy gaming!
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