Zona: The Secret of Chernobyl

To set up Zona: The Secret of Chernobyl, players first select a scavenger character, each possessing unique characteristics and a special ability. They then place their corresponding miniature on the designated starting space on the game board. The board itself is divided into various zones, including safe areas, yellow zones, and secret locations, each with different associated event cards and dangers. Various decks of cards, such as event cards, rumor cards, and item cards, are shuffled and placed in their designated spots on the board. Tokens for radiation, health, and other game effects are also prepared and placed within easy reach of all players.

The primary objective in Zona: The Secret of Chernobyl is to be the first scavenger to successfully reach the sarcophagus of the nuclear power plant and uncover the legendary artifact hidden within. To achieve this, players must first gather two 'secrets' by visiting specific secret locations across the Zone. These secrets provide crucial information about the artifact and how to access the highly dangerous power plant. The game is a race against both other players and the encroaching dangers of the Zone, requiring strategic movement, combat, and resource management.

Each turn in Zona: The Secret of Chernobyl is structured into three distinct phases: the Action Phase, the Event Phase, and the Rumor Phase. During the Action Phase, each player can perform two actions with their scavenger, which can include moving across the board, engaging in combat with mutants or anomalies, or utilizing the special abilities of the locations they occupy (e.g., hunting in the Red Forest, camping in bunkers to heal or trade). The Event Phase follows, where players draw event cards based on their current location (secret, yellow zone, etc.), which can lead to encounters, discoveries, or challenges. Finally, the Rumor Phase occurs, where the player with the first player marker (the 'Voice of the Zona') draws a rumor card. These cards often introduce negative effects, such as new mutants appearing or radiation waves, and represent the Zone's dynamic and dangerous nature, indirectly affecting all players.

Zona: The Secret of Chernobyl is not a point-based game; instead, it is a competitive race. The game's scoring is straightforward: the first player to successfully navigate the dangers of the Zone, acquire the necessary secrets, reach the sarcophagus of the nuclear power plant, and ultimately discover the legendary artifact is declared the sole winner. There are no secondary scoring conditions or tie-breakers, emphasizing the direct competitive nature of the race.

The game concludes in one of two ways. The most common way for the game to end is when a player successfully reaches the sarcophagus of the nuclear power plant, having acquired the two necessary secrets, and then successfully discovers the legendary artifact. This player immediately wins the game. Alternatively, the game can end if the deck of rumor cards is exhausted. If this happens, a final, catastrophic emission of radiation is released, killing every scavenger in the Zone, and all players collectively lose the game. This mechanic introduces a time limit, forcing players to balance careful planning with the urgency of their quest.