Virus (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Virus is a cooperative board game released in 2016 that puts players in the shoes of scientists trying to contain a deadly virus outbreak. Designed by Kevin Dubeau, Mirko Failoni, and Marina Fischetti, and featuring art by Giochix.it, the game falls into categories like Action / Dexterity, Horror, Miniatures, Real-time, Science Fiction, and Zombies. With a playtime of 30-120 minutes and suitable for ages 14 and up, Virus offers an intense and immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Virus

Cards: 68 colorful cards, including organ cards, virus cards, medicine cards, and treatment cards.

Organ Cards: 5 of each color, plus a multicolored organ that can be used as a wild card.

Virus Cards: 4 of each color and a multicolored virus that can affect any organ.

Medicine Cards: 4 of each color and 4 multicolored medicines to cure or vaccinate organs.

Treatment Cards: Includes spreading cards, organ thief cards, transplant cards, latex glove cards, and medical error cards.

How To Setup Virus

To set up the game, shuffle the deck and deal three cards to each player. Place the remaining cards in the center of the table as the draw deck, with a discard pile next to it.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Card collection, strategy, and player interaction.

Game Objective: The first player to collect four different healthy organs wins.

Player Actions:
– Discard and replace cards from the hand.
– Play one card per turn to build their body or sabotage opponents.
– Use virus cards to infect opponents’ organs.
– Use medicine cards to cure infected organs or vaccinate healthy ones.
– Utilize treatment cards for various strategic actions like organ theft, transplants, and spreading viruses.

Player Experience

“Virus” is a fast-paced and entertaining game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. Players must strategically collect and protect their organs while sabotaging their opponents. The game’s simplicity makes it accessible to both children and adults, allowing for equal competition.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules that can be explained briefly.

Portable: Compact and easy to carry, making it a great on-the-go game.

Interactive: Players can significantly impact each other’s progress.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Cons

Short Games: Games can be quite short, which may lead to repetitive play.

Luck Factor: The draw of cards can sometimes be unpredictable, affecting gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Virus

“Virus” is an excellent choice for families or casual game nights. It encourages strategic thinking and interaction among players. However, for those seeking more complex or longer games, “Virus” might feel a bit too light. It’s perfect for quick, fun sessions and is a great introduction to card-based strategy games.

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