Zoo Vadis

In your turn, you choose from four simple actions: move your animal(s) to an adjacent space, move the zookeeper, use the peacocks, or activate your unique animal ability. To move from one space to the next, you need a majority vote from all animals in that same space – and you can buy, trade, or force those votes through negotiation. Laurels function as money, reputation, and final score: those who distribute them cleverly grow, while those who give away too many lose ground. The game ends as soon as the Star Pavilion is full; only animals that have entered it count towards victory, and whoever has the most laurels wins.

Zoo Vadis is a rare redesign success: Knizia's classic Quo Vadis? has not only been given a new look but has also been made sharper, more accessible, and more playable without losing the soul of the original. The core — everyone needs your support, and you need theirs — creates incessant tension where every turn is potentially a diplomatic crisis or a triumph. Reviewers praise it as one of the best negotiation games in its weight class, with a short play time that encourages multiple rounds per evening. Kwanchai Moriya's illustrations give the game a vibrant, unique look that immediately attracts new players. BGG users rate the game remarkably high for such a light and fast game.