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Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 is a cooperative board game designed by Rob Daviau and Matt Leacock, published by Z-Man Games in 2015. It is a legacy-style game, meaning that as you play through the campaign, the game board and rules will permanently change based on your actions and decisions.

Game Components of Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

  • Rulebook
  • Game board
  • Character cards
  • Player pawns
  • Disease cubes
  • Infection cards
  • Legacy deck
  • Sticker sheets
  • And more!

How To Setup Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

  • Place the board in the center of the table.
  • Shuffle the Player cards and deal them out.
  • Set up the disease cubes on the board.
  • Create your starting city deck.
  • Read the first entry in the Legacy deck and follow the instructions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players work together as a team of disease-fighting specialists to discover cures for four deadly diseases and prevent outbreaks. Each player has a unique role with special abilities to help achieve this goal. The objective is to complete a series of objectives over a series of months, while dealing with the escalating challenges thrown at you by the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

  • Immersive and engaging storyline
  • Unique and innovative legacy game mechanics
  • High replay value with multiple branching paths
  • Cooperative gameplay fosters teamwork and communication

Cons:

  • Can be overwhelming for new players
  • Permanent changes to the game board may not appeal to everyone
  • Limited number of plays due to the legacy nature of the game

Personal Thoughts on Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 is a groundbreaking game that pushes the boundaries of what a board game can be. The build quality is exceptional, with high-quality components and artwork. The game falls under the environmental and medical category, providing a unique theme that sets it apart from other board games. The pricing and availability of both new and used copies can vary, but the experience it offers is well worth the investment.

For those who enjoy cooperative gameplay and are looking for a challenging and immersive experience, Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 is a must-play. However, those who prefer traditional board games or are not fans of permanent changes to the game board may want to skip this one. Overall, I highly recommend Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable gaming experience.

Check out my review on Pandemic Legacy: Season 1.

Game Components of Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

  • Rulebook
  • 1 Game Board
  • 5 Character Cards
  • 4 Pawns
  • 4 Reference Cards (one per player color)
  • 61 Player Cards (48 City, 5 Epidemic, 8 Event)
  • 48 Infection Cards
  • 62 Legacy Cards
  • 4 Civilian Cards
  • 5 Dossiers
  • 1 Sticker Sheet
  • 4 Cure Markers
  • 1 Infection Rate Marker
  • 1 Outbreaks Marker
  • 1 Reminder Token
  • 96 Disease Cubes (24 in 4 colors)
  • 1 Package Box with 8 Numbered Packages
  • 6 Research Stations.

    How To Setup Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

    Setting up **Pandemic Legacy: Season 1** starts similarly to the original **Pandemic**. Players choose their characters and place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects a character card and places their pawn on the board. The infection and player decks are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The game begins in January, and as players progress through the campaign, they will open sealed packets, reveal hidden information, and unlock new components and rules.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to save the world from deadly diseases.
  • Legacy System: Decisions in one game affect future games.
  • Campaign Mode: The game spans 12-24 games, each representing a month in a year.
  • Evolving Rules: New objectives, challenges, and rules are introduced each month.
  • Character Progression: Characters gain scars, new abilities, and upgrades.
  • Dynamic Board: The board changes with stickers and written notes as the game progresses.
  • Objective: Cure all diseases before they overwhelm the world.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Pandemic Legacy: Season 1** is an immersive and dynamic experience. The game starts off familiar to fans of the original **Pandemic**, but quickly evolves with new challenges and story twists. Players must work together, planning their strategy carefully to manage the spread of diseases. Each game session is about 45-60 minutes, and the campaign will keep you engaged over several weeks. The game’s narrative and evolving mechanics ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, making it a highly engaging and replayable experience despite its one-time campaign nature.

    Pros

  • Immersive Storyline: The game features a compelling narrative that unfolds over the campaign.
  • Dynamic Gameplay: Mechanisms change each game, keeping the experience fresh and challenging.
  • High Replay Value: While the campaign is one-time, the unique experience each time makes it highly replayable in spirit.
  • Character and Board Progression: Characters and the board evolve significantly, enhancing the game’s depth.
  • Cooperative Excellence: Encourages strong teamwork and strategic planning.

    Cons

  • Limited Replayability in Traditional Sense: The game is designed to be played through once, with significant changes to components that cannot be reset.
  • Complex Setup and Rules: Each game introduces new rules and components, which can be overwhelming for some players.
  • Time Commitment: The campaign spans multiple sessions, requiring a significant time commitment.

    Personal Thoughts on Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

    **Pandemic Legacy: Season 1** is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy a narrative-driven experience. It’s perfect for groups of 2-4 players who are willing to commit to a multi-session campaign. If you’re looking for a game that offers deep strategy, evolving mechanics, and a compelling story, **Pandemic Legacy: Season 1** is a must-play. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a game with high replayability in the traditional sense or those who prefer simpler, quicker gameplay sessions.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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