Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance review - "A good mix of simplicity and low-stakes edge"

GamesRadar+ VerdictMarvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance strikes a good balance between accessibility and capturing the essence of the Zombicide franchise. While it may not satisfy hardcore Zombicide enthusiasts looking for more intricate gameplay and higher-end components, it’ll be a winner for Marvel fans and those looking for a lightweight co-op board game experience.Pros+Maintains the sculpt quality you’d expect from CMON minis+Enjoyable gameplay systems that are efficiently communicated in rulebook+Low-stakes funCons-No true solo mode … or true 2-player/3-player mode-Zombicide’s target priority system is a bit of a Marmite rule-Some (understandable) cut corners when it comes to components GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance strikes a good balance between accessibility and capturing the essence of the Zombicide franchise. While it may not satisfy hardcore Zombicide enthusiasts looking for more intricate gameplay and higher-end components, it’ll be a winner for Marvel fans and those looking for a lightweight co-op board game experience. Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance strikes a good balance between accessibility and capturing the essence of the Zombicide franchise. While it may not satisfy hardcore Zombicide enthusiasts looking for more intricate gameplay and higher-end components, it’ll be a winner for Marvel fans and those looking for a lightweight co-op board game experience. Pros+Maintains the sculpt quality you’d expect from CMON minis+Enjoyable gameplay systems that are efficiently communicated in rulebook+Low-stakes fun Maintains the sculpt quality you’d expect from CMON minis Enjoyable gameplay systems that are efficiently communicated in rulebook Low-stakes fun Cons-No true solo mode … or true 2-player/3-player mode-Zombicide’s target priority system is a bit of a Marmite rule-Some (understandable) cut corners when it comes to components No true solo mode … or true 2-player/3-player mode Zombicide’s target priority system is a bit of a Marmite rule Some (understandable) cut corners when it comes to components Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Jump to:Features & designGameplayShould you buy?How we tested Jump to:Features & designGameplayShould you buy?How we tested Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance features & design (Image credit: Future) Swipe to scroll horizontallyPrice$34.99 / £46.99PublisherCMONAge14+DurationUp to eight 30-60 min sessionsComplexityLight / moderatePlay if you likeZombicide, Marvel United, Pandemic, Zombie Kidz Swipe to scroll horizontally Price$34.99 / £46.99PublisherCMONAge14+DurationUp to eight 30-60 min sessionsComplexityLight / moderatePlay if you likeZombicide, Marvel United, Pandemic, Zombie Kidz (Image credit: Future) Chaotic cardboard and cruddy clips aside, there’s little to complain about when it comes to the contents of Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance. Its double-sided modular map tiles are easy to use and have plenty of little Easter Eggs as points of visual interest. Similarly, its rulebook is a treat to navigate thanks to all its illustrations and simple tables. The highly visual presentation of the rulebook is especially helpful for new players, as the vast majority of the questions you’ll have can be answered on one super condensed summary page. Though, once you get into the flow of play, you likely won’t need to reference this too often. Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance gameplay (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Should you buy Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance? (Image credit: Future) Buy it if… ✅You’re into the Marvel UniverseWhile this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting. ✅You’re into the Marvel UniverseWhile this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting. ✅You’re into the Marvel UniverseWhile this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting. ✅You’re into the Marvel UniverseWhile this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting. ✅You’re into the Marvel UniverseWhile this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting. ✅You’re into the Marvel UniverseWhile this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting. ✅You plan to play co-opIn my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor. ✅You plan to play co-opIn my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor. ✅You plan to play co-opIn my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor. ✅You plan to play co-opIn my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor. ✅You plan to play co-opIn my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor. ✅You plan to play co-opIn my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor. Don’t buy it if… ❌You want more focus on strategy, less on luckThe focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan. ❌You want more focus on strategy, less on luckThe focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan. ❌You want more focus on strategy, less on luckThe focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan. ❌You want more focus on strategy, less on luckThe focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan. ❌You want more focus on strategy, less on luckThe focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan. ❌You want more focus on strategy, less on luckThe focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan. ❌You want a darker apocalypse settingGiven its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. ❌You want a darker apocalypse settingGiven its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. ❌You want a darker apocalypse settingGiven its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. ❌You want a darker apocalypse settingGiven its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. ❌You want a darker apocalypse settingGiven its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. ❌You want a darker apocalypse settingGiven its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. How we tested Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance This review was put together after hours of play across multiple sessions. In order to get a composite picture of all playstyles, I tested both multiplayer and solo versions of Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance. The game’s components, content, and experience were considered both inYou can find out more in our guide tohow we test board games and tabletop RPGs, or the general GamesRadar+reviews policypage. 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bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”