Customer Reviews

Last Night On Earth - The Zombie Game

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I am a huge Zombie fan and usually keep up to date with all the latest and greatest zombie games that come out. I must have had a lapse though becasue this game snuck up on me. It had been released for several weeks before I even found out about it. I have to say, what a surprise.
The game is bursting with theme. The great bits, artwork, and photos all contribute to placing you in the mind of being part of the zombie movie. Players get to play as either Zombies or Humans. The game manages to create a great deal of tension for the humans by forcing them to get inside buildings and spend an entire turn just to have a chance to find something useful(Crowbar, Baseball Bat, Chainsaw, etc.) These turns spent searching for something give the very slow moving zombies the chance to build their numbers and shamble their way towards our heroes. This helps to build the feeling of being crept up on by an army of the undead. Good Stuff. The game is also pretty much infinitely expandable and customizeable. I could go out and buy a big pice of 1" grid poster board and draw up my own shopping mall and recreate Dawn of the dead if I wanted. I can't wait to see what else these guys come up with.
One side note, there are advanced rules in the book for using gasoline to "douse a square" and then use another item(lighter, flare gun, etc) to set the square on fire killing everything in it with the chance of killing everything in the adjacent squares. When I read this rule in the book I thought 'Oh that's cute' but didn't think you would realistically get the chance to pull it off very often in a game. To my delight I was able to do this twice in my first game and giggled like a little kid at Christmas each time it worked. There is nothing like wiping out three zombies at one time by drenching them in gasoline and shooting a flare gun at them. Good times, good times.

"BRRAAAINNSSS...." quoth the zombie. If you like zombies/zombie movies/or just battling against your friends in quick and fun games, I'd recommend this game to you.

This game is a 2-6 player competitive game. One team controls the zombies, and one team controls the heroes. There are a number of scenarios (Escape in the Truck, Defend the Manor, Die Zombies, DIE!, etc) which all require different strategies for the heroes to prevail.

The zombie strategy is almost always "eat the heroes". However, zombie players can certainly utilize tactics, such as hiding behind buildings, or in them, to make life more difficult for the heroes.

The rules aren't very complex, and the rule-book contains nice illustrations to explain each point. Also included are 'advanced' rules at the end of the book, to explain the included scenarios, and uses for the 'advanced' cards (which are not shuffled in to the 2 decks initially).

The zombies only move 1 space per round, while the heroes move 1d6 spaces. Frequently heroes move 1 space, also. This increases the excitement of the game, because the zombies can immediately catch up and engage the heroes in combat.

Also in the game are cards for each team. Zombies get to have 4 cards in their hand at the start of each round, while heroes typically only earn cards by forgoing movement in a building, and searching. The cards can be items (chainsaw for example), events (rainfall, slowing heroes down by 1 space for example) or fight cards (bonus dice, forced-rerolls of results, etc). The cards make the game more interesting, and many of the scenarios are dependent on drawing certain cards to complete objectives.

The game looks nice, the modular board allows for variety in replaying the game. Instead of cartoons or drawings, actual photographs are used throughout the game making for a nice production. The plastic models are well-sculpted, and the included cards are all very durably made. There are also a bunch (20 or so) of 6 sided dice, more than I've ever had a reason to roll in one combat, so they provide well in this area also.

Since each scenario is completed or failed in a set number of turns, the game cannot drag on indefinitely. This is a huge plus, particularly if you've played never-ending games of Monopoly, or Risk.

There are also a number of expansions for the game, if you play frequently, that can add even more mayhem and chaos to the scenarios.

This game is awesome. I would highly recommend it to people who appreciate more unique or obscure boardgames. Although the game starts out a little slow, it inevitably builds to a crescendo of energy as the hero players fight against all odds to defeat the zombie hordes. This is a game that, like few others, is a total blast to play regardless of whether your side wins or loses, simply because you never quite know what to expect next. Of the two advanced scenarios we've played, both have been extremely intense, exciting, and challenging, which is always something I look for in a good board game. Flying Frog is a relatively new company and they do a good job of providing web content and support for their games, I hope they continue to create games of this caliber for many years to come.

I think the ultimate strength of this game is that it provides the entire board gaming experience without completely monopolizing your day/afternoon/evening. Consequently it's a lot easier for me to get my friends to play this than to agree to a 4+ hour game of Arkham Horror (which is also an exceptional game).

If you're contemplating getting Last Night on Earth from these reviews, hesitate no longer: it will not disappoint!

I recently bought this game, then sat down and read the rules. There are two types of rules basic and advanced. The rules are easy to understand and in no time you will be playing this great game. The game comes with many different scenerios that willl keep the game fresh and exciting. For example there is one scenerio that is called "defend the manor." Where the heroes have to survive the night and at the same time keep the zombies from overtaking the manor. If you are a fan of zombie movies then this game is for you. I have to admit that it was one of the best board games that I have played in my life.

This is simply the best zombie based board game I have ever played. It can be played by several players or just two players taking the sides of the teeming hordes of zombies and the handful of people trying to escape them.

The pieces are well made and sturdy. The basic and advanced games are easy to learn and do not require a phd in nerdiness to understand arcane or obscure rules. This game can be played around a hour and a half or so. Absolutely perfect for a fun time with friends or family members without being so long that the fun is long since gone by the time its over.

I highly recommend it and judging by the many positive reviews I am not the only one. I got this game based on reviews here and I have not regretted the purchase.

One theme that ages like a fine wine in board gaming is mall survival, and this game is one of those that does the idea justice. Easy to use but not too easy to master, it takes the novice player and gives them a platform to play from and also adds in more complex rules for people that have played the game a time or ten so they can have fun as well. That has to be commended in boardgames because being able to replay a game and not have the same experience is, well, odd.

I liked one of the other reviewers and what they had to say on the product, talking about the feel of the game and how the turns can really draw out the ambiance you really want from something of this nature. When you, as a player, find yourself scavenging a building for something to use and then find yourself surrounded by an army of the crawling dead - it has more "boomph" than you'd figure. If you have a good group and a keen sense of description then it really has the ability to get under the skin.

Combine these features with the fact that you can take the already-existing set-up and create something new and you have an interesting take on something that is fun to do; the rules are designed to let you take the map and turn it into something more engaging if you feel the need to make your own mall of dread and I like that feeling of fluidity. It makes for a good experience with an ever-changing terrain (if you want the experience to become more complex).

All in all, this is a good buy and shows how much the games have been growing. This and a few other games have shown just how creative the idea has become and how much people enjoy the idea of zombies and trying to survive and onslaught.
Just add players.

First off, let me justify my 5-Star educational rating by noting that anything that prepares you for the eminent Zombie takeover of the planet ranks right up there with tying your shoes and lighting a fire (both of which are critical to a quick getaway). Learning to deal with zombies is like the the third corner of the Survival Triangle.

These fella's at Flying Frog had a Vision and refused to compromise it. The game's production value is a Benchmark for the gaming industry and shows in Every-Single-Component. If your experience of a quality gaming piece is the token from Sorry, you may simply pass-out when you open the box. If your experience of quality game pieces is peg-filled car from The Game of Life, you'll probably just wet yourself - which is fine, really, because LNOE is so good everyone will understand.

The Vision didn't stop at design and I tell you, gameplay is something magic. By the second or third time through the game (there's a learning curve for me on the mechanics, rules, cards) I was completely drawn into the experience. I felt as though I was pulled into the board and could feel the excitement of a daring getaway, the excitement of searching for a chainsaw with the hoard slowly surrounding me, the breath of joy at surviving to sunrise... LNOE delivers on its goal to put you right-smack into the middle of a zombie movie, just as though you were to step into your TV and live the terror. Again, I can feel the Vision and the designers did not compromise it.

The game can be complex and my experience was that the first (2-3) plays were focused on understanding the rules. It felt clinical to me, and somewhat lifeless. I was, honestly, even a little frustrated. I got through it thanks to the dudes on BoardGameGeek.

And then the faucet opened and the magic flowed, and I stepped into the vision.

Last Night on Earth is one of the funnest games my friends and I have played in a long time. The game features zombies vs heroes in a tongue in cheek fashion and has a great pace. One of the unique things about the game is that there are multiple scenerios (like getting gas to a truck and escaping town, saving locals, and protecting Mayor Manor, TO NAME A FEW) and multiple characters (Teenagers like cheerleaders, quaterback, & Sheriff's son, and Adults like Nurse, Sheriff, & Drifter)that each do different things, so the game will have to be played excessively for a long time to be remotely similar.The only bad thing about the game is how many rules there are, the rulebook is like 16 pages. However, the rules make the game different from Zombies or any other horror game. Game time lasts about 60-90mins and if played smartly both the zombies and the heroes are about evenly matched and each have some insane bonus going for them in the game. The game also comes with a sound track, that is not great but helps with the mood a bit. SO if you liked any of the zombie games from twilight I would highly recommend Last Night on Earth. I am sure that you will have a few laughs and still be highly entertained.

"BRRAAAINNSSS...." quoth the zombie. If you like zombies/zombie movies/or just battling against your friends in quick and fun games, I'd recommend this game to you.

This game is a 2-6 player competitive game. One team controls the zombies, and one team controls the heroes. There are a number of scenarios (Escape in the Truck, Defend the Manor, Die Zombies, DIE!, etc) which all require different strategies for the heroes to prevail.

The zombie strategy is almost always "eat the heroes". However, zombie players can certainly utilize tactics, such as hiding behind buildings, or in them, to make life more difficult for the heroes.

The rules aren't very complex, and the rule-book contains nice illustrations to explain each point. Also included are 'advanced' rules at the end of the book, to explain the included scenarios, and uses for the 'advanced' cards (which are not shuffled in to the 2 decks initially).

The zombies only move 1 space per round, while the heroes move 1d6 spaces. Frequently heroes move 1 space, also. This increases the excitement of the game, because the zombies can immediately catch up and engage the heroes in combat.

Also in the game are cards for each team. Zombies get to have 4 cards in their hand at the start of each round, while heroes typically only earn cards by forgoing movement in a building, and searching. The cards can be items (chainsaw for example), events (rainfall, slowing heroes down by 1 space for example) or fight cards (bonus dice, forced-rerolls of results, etc). The cards make the game more interesting, and many of the scenarios are dependent on drawing certain cards to complete objectives.

The game looks nice, the modular board allows for variety in replaying the game. Instead of cartoons or drawings, actual photographs are used throughout the game making for a nice production. The plastic models are well-sculpted, and the included cards are all very durably made. There are also a bunch (20 or so) of 6 sided dice, more than I've ever had a reason to roll in one combat, so they provide well in this area also.

Since each scenario is completed or failed in a set number of turns, the game cannot drag on indefinitely. This is a huge plus, particularly if you've played never-ending games of Monopoly, or Risk.

There are also a number of expansions for the game, if you play frequently, that can add even more mayhem and chaos to the scenarios.

I was really surprized at how much fun this game was. I received this game as a gift. I would not have bought it for myself. We broke it out on a snow day and played it with my teenage son and his friends and really really enjoyed it.

You can play the game with 2 to 6 players. One side takes 4 heros (taken randomly from a pool of 8 different characters, farmers daughter, capt of the football team, the sheriff, the reverend, the drifter, all with different abilities, and the other managaes the horde of unrelenting zombies and their hunger for BRAINSSS. I was afraid a zombie game would just be wading through hordes of monsters and then winning or loosing on a die roll. NOT AT ALL. This game is fun, suspenseful and really well balanced. It also has a very high re-play value, Pulling town buildings at random, choosing randomly from a pool of characters each game, and drawing events from a card deck gave the game lots of twists and turns. But even with all this randomness the gamedoes not make you feel that you are at the mercy of the dice. The game also includes several different scenarios. Escaping town, defending the mansion, saving the townsfolk and the ever popular die zombies die!

Last comment. The game is advertised as delivering a movie-like experience...and it does. It is fun, suspensful, well balanced and you can play it over and over again.