Infected (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Infected is a card game released in 2017 that blends elements of bluffing, deduction, and role-playing. Designed by Artur Jag and Josh T. McDowell, the game is set in a medieval world where players take on the roles of spies and secret agents trying to uncover each other’s identities.

Game Components of Infected

Player Decks: Each player has a deck, with one deck designated as the Plague Doctor and the others as various types of Villagers.

Cards: Cards include actions like infecting, vaccinating, rolling dice to determine infectivity, and delayed infections.

Player Markers: Markers indicate whether a player is Safe or Infected.

Turn Marker: The Plague Doctor miniature serves as the turn marker.

Dice: Used for determining the fate of players who receive certain cards.

How To Setup Infected

To set up the game, each player receives a deck of cards, with one player randomly assigned the Plague Doctor deck. The remaining players receive Villager decks. Players start with their markers on the Safe side. The game uses a turn iteration column to determine how cards are passed each round, based on the number of players. The Plague Doctor miniature is used to signify the first player to declare their status each round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Secret Roles: One player is the Plague Doctor, while others are Villagers.

Card Passing: Players pass cards according to the turn iteration column.

Declaration: Players declare whether they are Safe, Infected, or need to roll the dice.

Infection Mechanics: Immediate and delayed infection cards can affect players in future rounds.

Objective:

Plague Doctor: Spread the disease to win.

Villagers: Identify and eliminate the Plague Doctor to win.

Player Experience

Infected is a fast-moving game that requires strategy, deduction, logic, and people reading skills. Players must carefully analyze the actions and declarations of others to guess the identity of the Plague Doctor. The game adds tension with delayed infection cards, making it harder to determine who the Plague Doctor is. The Silent Villager role adds an extra layer of complexity, as this player cannot cast a vote on the Plague Doctor’s identity.

Pros

Engaging Social Deduction: Encourages strategic thinking and social interaction.

Dynamic Gameplay: Delayed infections and various card actions keep the game exciting and unpredictable.

Replayability: Random distribution of roles and cards ensures each game is different.

Cons

Complexity for New Players: The game requires a good understanding of its mechanics, which can be confusing for new players.

Limited Visibility: The Silent Villager role can sometimes feel restrictive, limiting the player’s ability to contribute to the guessing process.

Personal Thoughts on Infected

Infected is ideal for fans of secret role and social deduction games. It offers a unique blend of strategy and social interaction, making it a great addition to any board game collection. The game is best suited for groups who enjoy complex, thought-provoking games that require careful observation and deduction. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those who prefer simpler, more straightforward games.

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