Intern (1979) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Intern is a board game released in 1979 by The Avalon Hill Game Co. It is a medical-themed game designed for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended player count of 2 to

The game is aimed at players aged 10 and above and has a runtime of approximately 90 minutes. In Intern, players take on the role of medical interns trying to navigate the challenges of a busy hospital.

Game Components of Intern

Game Board

Intern Manual

Dice

4 playing pieces

Patient cards

Diagnosis (Dx) cards

Treatment (Rx) cards

TIME SCRIP tokens

PAGE cards

How To Setup Intern

To set up Intern, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a playing piece and places it at the entrance of their ward. The patient cards, Dx cards, and Rx cards are shuffled and placed in their respective areas on the board. Each player starts with a certain amount of TIME SCRIP tokens. The game is ready to begin once all components are in place and the rules have been explained.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roll-and-Move Mechanics: Players roll dice to move around the board.

Resource Management: Players manage TIME SCRIP tokens to admit, diagnose, and treat patients.

Patient Admission: Land on patient numbers in your ward and pay TIME SCRIP to admit patients.

Diagnosis: Collect Dx cards by landing on orange spaces and paying 1 TIME SCRIP.

Treatment: Collect Rx cards by landing on purple spaces and paying 1 TIME SCRIP.

Consultations: Pay other players if landing on their patient spaces.

PAGE Cards: Draw cards that can reward or penalize players.

Game Objective: Be the first intern to diagnose and treat all four patients, while accumulating the most points through TIME SCRIP and successful treatments.

Player Experience

Playing Intern can be a complex yet engaging experience due to its detailed rules and multiple mechanics. The game strongly recommends four players, but it can be adapted for two players with adjusted rules. However, the complexity and length of the rulebook can be overwhelming, with six full pages of text to read through. The game’s theme is well-maintained, but the numerous rules and scoring items can make the game feel overly complicated.

Pros

Thematic Integrity: The game stays true to its hospital theme.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines roll-and-move with resource management and strategy.

Replay Value: Various patient and card combinations offer different gameplay experiences.

Cons

Complex Rules: The extensive rulebook can be daunting.

Lengthy Scoring: The game ends with a lengthy scoring process involving 11 items.

Potential for Frustration: Rolling doubles three times lands you in ICU, and rolling snake eyes results in a dead patient.

Personal Thoughts on Intern

Intern is a game that will appeal to those who enjoy complex, strategic board games with a strong theme. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, simple game. The game’s complexity and detailed rules make it more suitable for experienced gamers who are willing to invest time in understanding and mastering the game mechanics. Despite its challenges, Intern offers a unique and engaging experience for those who appreciate a blend of strategy and theme in their board games.

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