Designed by Todd Breitenstein, published by Twilight Creations, Inc.
I take it as a good sign that a game such as this is no longer considered to be in bad taste. We've moved on from the Zombie Wars enough so that we can view some of the events tongue in cheek. And now we can game them.
Zombies!!! has 2 to 6 players vying to be the first one to the helicopter pad in order to make an escape. Between you and safety, though, are a horde of the undead and your opponents. Just because this is no longer in bad taste, though, doesn't make it a good game. I have some serious problems with it.
The designer brings some innovative ideas to the table. The board starts with just one tile that makes up the city center. Each turn, a player draws a new tile and uses it to build out the city. Towards the end of the deck is the helicopter pad. Once that is revealed and placed, it's a race to the finish. And therein lies the problem. In addition to the tiles, each player has a hand of event cards that either help you or hurt your opponents. You would think that the race to the helicopter is the end game, but, in fact, it was just the half way point. Those event cards make it nigh on impossible to finish. I enjoyed, barely, the one game I played, but no more.
The other problem I had with the game is that it imparts the wrong lessons. I don't care what is in a hospital, police or fire station. During an outbreak, I would never even approach those locations. Also, while I agree that healthy humans of nefarious intent are a far greater menace than the undead, a trustworthy ally is invaluable. In this game, not only do you have no incentive to help others, it's actually in your best interest to see them become the next course on the all-you-can-eat zombie buffet. Ultimately, this is why I've given this game a low rating.
What? This is supposed to be just a game? OK, I guess. Perhaps I haven't moved on.
Horrible, simplestic review of a great game. I've played hundreds of "Zombies!!!" Games with friends. All have lay least liked it. It takes strategy and cunning to win the game. You can also win by collecting 25 zombies so it's not simply "race to the chopper". You should play more than one game to actually write an informed intelligent review. You are correct it is not a co-op game, it never pretended to be. You can make it co-op, like 2 teams of 2 and first team to the helicopter pad or first team to collect 40-50 zombies win. But it's still not everyone plays is a winner, it's a game. There are winners and losers.
Given that the author claims to be a veteran of the zombie wars, I'm guessing he's a fictional character. Having played over a dozen times myself, though, I agree with his conclusions about the interminable end game.
I like your idea of team play, though. I may have to break this one out a try it again.