- BGG rating
- 6.0
18ZOO: New Powers
- 2–5 players
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,102
- BGG rating
- 6.8
18ZOO
2027
Rules assistance for 18ZOO
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 90–120 min
- 10+
- Complexity 3.0/5
Rules assistant for 18ZOO
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
18ZOO is a board game released in 2027 for 2–5 players, 90–120 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Paolo Russo and its main mechanics are Modular Board, Network and Route Building, and Hexagon Grid.
Expansions
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About the game
18ZOO is an 18xx game designed for 2-5 players, playable in about 100 minutes. Many unique features make it highly distinguishable: No need to compute divisions or percentages POWERS/INVENTIONS (privates) are FUN and exciting Companies are opened in a ring order - first choice (and second choice) will make the game afresh train RUN have a growing threshold in order to increase the stock value eurogame style: the goal of route building is to be efficient throughout the game, instead of trying to achieve a local best run Villages/dits and Hills/Mountains are not upgradable so route building is different in each game. The goal of the design of 18ZOO is to have a game that last only 90-120 minutes, with the full narrative of a 18xx (both Stock Shenanigans and Operative Shenanigans), approachable by a wider audience (low calculus involved).
Designers
Publishers
- (Web published)
- Aleph Game Studio
Questions and answers
18ZOO supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for 18ZOO is 90–120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists 18ZOO for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
18ZOO has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
18ZOO belongs to these categories: Animals, Economic, and Print & Play. Its main mechanics are Modular Board, Network and Route Building, and Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of 18ZOO are: Paolo Russo. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists 18ZOO as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.