Plague Inc. Board Game Review: A Complete Guide to Plague Inc.'s Strategy and Gameplay
The smartphone game that has recorded 85 million downloads has now been fully adapted into a board game!
We will explain in detail the appeal and actual gameplay of Plague Inc.: The Board Game , a strategy game in which you infect the world with an "evil perspective," based on numerous reviews.
Game Basics
Plague Inc.: The Board Game is a strategy game based on the hit mobile game Plague Inc., which has been played by over 85 million people.
Basic specifications:
- Number of players: 1-4 (up to 5 with expansion)
- Playtime: 60 minutes
- Ages: 12 and up
- Weight: 2.1 (light middleweight)
- Designer: James Vaughan (original smartphone version developer)
The core mechanic of the game is a "pandemic reversal" game in which players take on the role of a deadly pathogen, infecting and controlling countries around the world and competing for DNA points (victory points).
Each turn, players take turns going through five phases: DNA acquisition, country card acquisition, evolution, infection, and death determination.
Control the country with area majority to earn DNA income, and strengthen your pathogens with symptom cards.
The appeal of Plague Inc.: The Board Game
This is a highly strategic game that perfectly reproduces all the elements of the digital version while incorporating the tactics typical of board games.
1. Strategy that perfectly recreates elements from the original
Its greatest appeal is that it perfectly reproduces all the elements of the digital version while also introducing the strategy that is typical of board games.
An evolution system allows you to gradually improve abilities such as infectiousness, lethality, and climate resistance with symptom cards, allowing you to build a different pathogen each time.
In actual gameplay , there are moments when each player's strategy becomes clear: will they increase the infectiousness and spread the disease rapidly, or increase the lethality and wipe out the country early?
You can also enjoy strategic puzzle elements that overcome geographical constraints, such as traveling between continents by water or air and acquiring climate resistance.
2. Moderate player interaction
The direct disruptive elements of event cards are incorporated in an exquisite balance.
The "take-that" element, where events such as CDC quarantines and nuclear attacks can be used to disrupt your opponent's advantage or turn a corner, adds depth to the strategy.
The system allows all players to receive a bonus when an entire country is wiped out, which leads to tactics such as attacking the opponent's last stronghold in an attempt to bring about a mutual downfall.
It has a strategy that goes beyond simply competing for expansion.
3. High replayability and short play time
Country cards, symptom cards, and event cards are randomly placed each time, ensuring high replayability as the same strategies will not work.
It takes an average of 60 minutes to complete, and each turn takes about one minute, so you can enjoy it over and over again.
4. Extensive solo mode
It is equipped with a solo-only AI called "Plaguebot," and the difficulty level can be adjusted.
It is designed to provide a strategic gaming experience even when played alone, making it ideal for practice or a quick break.
Concerns and solutions
There are some issues, such as luck and component quality, but there are ways to address them.
Strength of luck element
The effects of event cards are powerful, and there are times when the outcome of the game is greatly influenced by luck.
Countermeasures: Reviews recommend that you can reduce the luck factor by increasing the lethality to increase the success rate of death checks, or by adopting rules for exchanging cards in your initial hand.
Component Quality
It has been pointed out that the player and country boards are "paper-thin" and easily damaged after just a few plays.
Solution: Since many players have their cards laminated, we recommend considering protective measures if you plan to enjoy them for a long time.
Difficulty in referencing
One issue is that stacking symptom cards can hide icons, making it difficult to refer to abilities.
Countermeasure: Until you get used to it, play while checking the effects of each card, and you can solve this by gaining experience.
Also, the rulebook is "written in an extremely easy-to-understand manner, allowing you to find answers quickly," so be sure to refer to it if you have any questions.
Recommended for these people and occasions
It is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of people, and is especially recommended for strategy game enthusiasts and families.
Board game beginner to intermediate
It's an excellent example of a gateway game, designed to let you enjoy strategy and themes without getting bogged down in complex mechanics.
It can be enjoyed by people aged 10 and over, and is relatively easy to learn.
Original fan
For smartphone players, everything from the visual design to the game flow will be instantly familiar.
You can experience multiplayer tactics that are different from the digital version.
Family Games
The "replay rate" among families is high, and the laughter-inducing events will have parents and children having fun together.
However, the topic of "human extinction" may be offensive to some people, so we recommend checking participants' preferences.
I like strategy games
It emphasizes strategic thinking over luck and caters to a variety of play styles.
With a medium level of strategy and low complexity, it offers a good challenge even for experienced gamers.
Recommended playing environment:
- Players: 3-4 players is best (5 players is fine, but the board fills up quickly)
- Time: 60-90 minutes to spare
- Atmosphere: Casual, competitive group
Plague Inc.: The Board Game is a mid-level game that lets you enjoy strategy and themes in about an hour, providing consistent satisfaction.
Why not enjoy a new experience of aiming to "conquer the world" with your friends without losing the charm of the original?
Check the product on the online store page
Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.
Reference source/quote source
- Plague Inc: The Board Game (US) - Ndemic Creations
- Review: Plague Inc.: The Board Game by Ndemic Creations – The Players' Aid
- Plague Inc.: The Board Game Review - The Board Game Family
- Plague Inc. Board Game Review
- Plague Inc: The Board Game review - Tabletop Gaming
- The Game Dork's Gaming Corner: Board Game Review: Plague Inc.
- Board Game Review: Plague Inc – TheGamingReview.com
- Plague Inc: The Board Game Review - Just Push Start