The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 (2017) Board Game

The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 is a board game based on the cult classic movie “The Thing” directed by John Carpenter. Released in 2017, the game is designed for 4-8 players and is set in Antarctica where players take on the roles of characters from the film to determine who among them is infected by an alien entity.

Game Components of The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31

Game Board: A detailed board representing Outpost 31.

Character Cards: Each player has a unique character class.

Mission Cards: Define the objectives and required character classes for each mission.

Equipment Cards: Used to aid or sabotage missions.

Sabotage Cards: Allow infected players to hinder mission success.

Blood Sample Cards: Determine if a player is infected.

Miniatures: Represent characters and the alien.

Dice: Used for resolving battles and other challenges.

Captain Tokens: Indicate the current leader.

Rope Tokens: Used to restrain suspected infected players.

How To Setup The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31

Setup involves distributing character cards to players, shuffling and dealing mission cards, and preparing the game board with the necessary components. Each player selects a character and receives their respective character card. The captain token is assigned to a starting player, and the mission deck is shuffled and placed within reach. Equipment and sabotage cards are also shuffled and prepared for use during missions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hidden Traitor Mechanic: Some players may be infected and work against the team.

Mission Completion: Players submit equipment or sabotage cards to complete missions led by a rotating captain.

Combat Encounters: Resolve battles using dice rolls based on submitted equipment.

Blood Tests: Randomly determine if players are infected.

Captain Leadership: Each round, a new captain is chosen to lead the mission.

Escape Phase: The game ends when players either escape via helicopter, fail too many missions, or have too many rooms destroyed.

Player Experience

Playing The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 is a tense and engaging experience, filled with paranoia and deduction. Players must work together to complete missions while suspecting that some among them might be infected. Infected players aim to blend in and ensure they are included in the final escape, while humans strive to uncover and isolate the imitations. Table talk and strategic decision-making are crucial, as players must decide who to trust and who to exclude from missions.

Pros

Immersive Theme: The game’s miniatures and board design create a vivid atmosphere reminiscent of the movie.

High Tension: The hidden traitor mechanic and random blood tests keep players on edge.

Engaging Gameplay: Missions and combat encounters keep players actively involved.

Replay Value: Variable player counts and mission cards offer multiple playthrough experiences.

Cons

Limited Action for Infected Early On: Infected players may have little to do if revealed early in the game.

Risk of Early Elimination: Suspected infected players can be restrained or eliminated too quickly.

Requires Higher Player Count: The game is more enjoyable with a larger number of players.

Personal Thoughts on The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31

This game is ideal for fans of social deduction and hidden traitor games, particularly those who enjoy titles like Werewolf, Avalon, or Secret Hitler. It is best suited for groups of friends who can handle high levels of tension and paranoia, making it a great addition to any horror-themed game night. However, it may not be as engaging for smaller player counts or those who prefer more straightforward cooperative games.

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