Bad Doctor (2018) Board Game

Bad Doctor is a humor-filled medical themed board game released in in 2018. Designed by Kristina Arwood and Bill Holbrook, this game is known for its quirky gameplay mechanics and comical premise. Players take on the role of doctors with questionable ethics, competing to treat patients in the most outlandish ways possible.

Game Components of Bad Doctor

Treatment tiles

Patient cards

Complication cubes

Doctor player tokens

Scoreboard and scoring markers

Illustrative cards with punny names and comedic artwork.

How To Setup Bad Doctor

To set up the game, players start by placing the patient cards in the hospital area. Each player chooses a doctor token and places it on the starting space. The treatment tiles are shuffled and placed face down within reach of all players. Complication cubes are also placed nearby. The game is ready to begin once each player understands their two available actions per turn: drawing a treatment tile or visiting a patient.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Laying: Players draw random treatment tiles to cure patients.

Patient Care: Players use treatment tiles to cure patients, but these tiles can sometimes create more problems.

Complications: Patients not visited by doctors worsen, indicated by complication cubes; if a patient’s space is filled, they die.

Scoring: Points are scored for successfully curing patients; other players score if a patient dies due to another doctor’s negligence.

Game End: The game ends when a player achieves eight treatment connections, triggering the final scoring.

Player Experience

**Bad Doctor** offers a unique blend of strategy and humor. Players take on the roles of incompetent doctors, navigating the challenges of curing patients while occasionally sabotaging their competitors. The game is quick-paced, with each round involving significant decisions despite the limited two actions per turn. The interplay between helping patients and causing them to worsen adds a delightful layer of “take that” mechanics, leading to laugh-out-loud moments.

Pros

Unique Theme: Combines tile laying with a humorous hospital setting.

High Player Interaction: More interactive than typical short tile-laying games.

Quick Game Time: Games last about 30 minutes.

Approachable Rules: Suitable as a family or gateway game.

Humorous Artwork: Features puns and comedic illustrations.

Cons

Limited Actions: Only two actions per turn, which can feel restrictive.

Luck Factor: Drawing random treatment tiles introduces an element of luck.

Potential for Frustration: Sabotage mechanics can be frustrating for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Bad Doctor

**Bad Doctor** is ideal for those who enjoy light, humorous games with a touch of strategy and social interaction. It’s a great choice for families or new gamers due to its straightforward rules and short playtime. However, fans of deeply complex games might find it too simplistic. For anyone looking to spice up their game collection with a unique theme and engaging gameplay, **Bad Doctor** could be just the prescription needed.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.