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Zuuli is one of those games that looks like it should be very simple and then quietly makes you second-guess every decision. It is a card-drafting, sanctuary-building game with adorable animal artwork, a solo mode, and a knack for producing moments where you realise three turns too late that you grabbed the wrong enclosure.
Designed by Chris Priscott and published by Unfringed, it plays 1 to 5 players in 20 to 30 minutes. It is a small box with a lot of replayability packed in. I’m a huge fan of Chris Priscotts games, Zuuli was where that all started.
What Is Zuuli?
You are building a wildlife sanctuary over three rounds by drafting cards. The cards are animals, enclosures, and upgrades. Animals need the right enclosures to score points, and some animals are fussy about who they live next to. The challenge comes from juggling your sanctuary capacity, keeping animals happy, and not letting your opponents pick up the cards that would have made your plan work.
Do you grab that tiger knowing you might not find the right enclosure later? Or play it safe with something that fits anywhere? Those decisions feel small and turn out to matter quite a bit.
Key Game Information
| Players | 1-5 (best at 2-4) |
| Play time | 20-30 minutes |
| Designer | Chris Priscott |
| Publisher | Unfringed |
| Categories | Card Games, Drafting Games, Family Games, Solo Games |
| Mechanics | Drafting, Set Collection |
| Theme | Animals and Pets, Nature and Environment |
| Complexity | Light |
| Best for | Groups who want a fast, accessible card game with real decisions and no aggravating take-that moments |
How to Play Zuuli
Each player starts with an empty sanctuary. The game runs over three rounds. A shared pool of cards is laid out and players take turns drafting one at a time until the pool is empty.
Cards fall into three types: animals, enclosures, and upgrades. Enclosures provide habitat capacity, and animals must be placed in a compatible enclosure to score. Some animals have special conditions: a red panda might score extra points if housed near other small mammals, while a big cat might need its own enclosure entirely.
Upgrades add bonuses to specific habitats or let you bend the rules slightly. At the end of the game, points are awarded based on how well your sanctuary accommodates its animals. Animals without a proper home score nothing and may lose you points.
| At our table I drafted a tiger in round one because it was there. Spent the next two rounds desperately picking up big cat enclosures while everyone else built sensible mixed sanctuaries. Finished last. The tiger looked great though. |
Playing at Different Player Counts
1 player (solo): The solo mode works well for a game of this weight. You race to beat a target score with a limited card pool. Good for a quick solo session.
2-3 players: The sweet spot. Enough competition for cards that you cannot always get what you want, but the game stays fast.
4-5 players: Still fun, but the drafting pool turns over quickly and planning becomes harder.
Playing Solo
Zuuli includes an official solo mode where you play against a target score using a reduced card pool. Setup is quick, the rules do not change significantly, and it plays in under twenty minutes. More than most small-box games offer.
Components and Production Quality
The cards have lovely artwork. The animal illustrations are detailed and charming, which matters more in a game built around wildlife conservation. Card quality is solid, the box travels well, and everything is clear and functional.
Expansions and Other Versions
There are no expansions for Zuuli at the time of writing. It is a complete standalone in a small box.
Digital Versions
There is no digital version of Zuuli. It is physical-only.
If You Like Zuuli, Try These
- 7 Wonders: Bigger, longer card-drafting game with more strategic depth. If you like the drafting, go here next.
- Sushi Go!: Another small-box card-drafting game. Lighter than Zuuli but faster and very accessible.
- Wingspan: The obvious comparison for the wildlife theme. Much more complex but shares the animal card satisfaction.
- Calico: Pattern-building card game with a similarly gentle theme and real strategic decisions.
Final Thoughts
Zuuli punches above its weight as a small-box card game. The drafting decisions are more interesting than the cute artwork suggests, the solo mode is a genuine addition, and the theme carries the game in a way that makes it easy to recommend to non-gamers.
It is not trying to be a serious strategy game. It is a fun, fast, accessible card game with animals in it. At that, it succeeds.
Zuuli is the game you reach for when you want something with genuine decisions and only twenty minutes to spare. Buy Zuuli on Amazon
More Zuuli Pictures
Don’t take my word for it
Here are some other reviews of Zuuli