I know what you’re thinking. We’re already surviving a global pandemic, so why would anyone consider playing a game with that name literally in the title? Because, my friends, the co-op board game version of fighting this big thing is all about coming together for the sake of the greater good. I mean, who doesn’t love a superhero tale, right?
While the game and its many iterations do not involve superheroes with capes, they involve superheroes of different kinds: scientists. Each player has their own special skills that help with the greater objective.
Pandemic is a popular board game, one often chosen on regular game nights – even during our modern time. The necessary teamwork involved helps strengthen friendships and see where communication and coordination might be improved. You see, it’s an all-or-nothing game. You either save the world and win, or you don’t, and everyone loses. I guess you’d better buck up on those soft communication skills or else, eh?
The Base Game
Pandemic
MSRP: $44.99 USD2-4 Players 45 minutesAges 8+
There are several versions of the base game available to play. The original is a great place to get versed in the game mechanics and learn how each role works together. While you can play it with two players, I’ve found that this game is best experienced with more players than that (it supports up to four players), as you’ll have more options to get you through the waves of the pandemic. Playing it as a two-player board game, however, might make for one revealing date night adventure!
Pandemic Board Game Expansions
There are a few different expansions for Pandemic, but even more options exist beyond the expansions themselves. Some of the expansions below only require the base game, while others require additional expansions.
Pandemic: On the Brink Expansion
MSRP: $44.99 USD2-5 Players 45 minutesAges 8+
Contents: 7 new roles, 8 new event cards, 3 new challenges, Bio-Terrorist element & corresponding location pad
The On the Brink expansion adds a space for another player to join the fun as well as other interesting twists. There are new roles to play that come with alternative ways to approach the now even stronger version of the virus.
Another added element when playing with a fifth player is that the fifth player will play as a Bio-terrorist. This is a secret role that adds chaos and helps spread the virus, so other players will have to beat the virus and the bio-terrorist to win.
Pandemic: In the Lab Expansion
MSRP: $44.99 USD1-6 Players 45 minutesAges 8+
Contents: Lab board, 4 new role cards, 3 new event cards, lab abilities, CDC card
Note: To play the In the Lab expansion, you must have both the base game and the expansion On the Brink.
This expansion adds to both the base game and the previous expansions. It allows folks to play Pandemic in teams or as a solo board game.
The lab portion of the game extends to the capacity to study the virus outside of the field. You’ll have to sequence and categorize the disease to effectively create a cure.
In a solo game (available with this expansion), you’ll have the help of the CDC. In a multiplayer game, you can either team up or split into rival teams competing to see who can find the cure and move fast enough to resolve it before the virus does its worst.
Pandemic: State of Emergency Expansion
MSRP: $43.95 USD2-4 Players 45 minutesAges 8+
Contents: Five new roles, 2 new game boards, 4 new locations, 2 new challenges, one untreatable virus
Note: You need the base game to play State of the Emergency.
In the State of Emergency expansion (playable with the base game), you face even more obstacles to battle viruses… and not all of them can be cured. Two different campaign challenges are in this expansion: Hinterlands and Superbug.
You’ll race worldwide on two boards to move the emergencies out of orbit. Be careful, however – the virus in this version not only affects humans but also goes after animals, which can pass the virus on to humans. You’ll have to invoke quarantine and other methods to counter the state of emergency. (Note: If this description gives you deja vu vibes, it’s purely coincidental. Believe it or not, this expansion came out in 2015!)
Alternative Universes & Timeline Stand-Alone Counterparts
Some board games have spin-offs in universes that are different from the original base game. Other times, board game iterations remain relatively the same but with different characters pursuing similar objectives. The following titles are standalone board games with varying takes on the Pandemic universe game mechanics.
Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu Board Game
MSRP: $49.99 USD2-4 Players 45 minutesAges 14+
Contents: Game board, investigator meeples, Shoggoth meeples, cultist meeples, sanity die, and associated cards
Fans of the mythos of Cthulhu will likely love this game edition. It’s my brother’s and my favorite version of the series. My only complaint is that I wish it were digital so we could play it together across the country.
This version of the Pandemic board game brings gothiness and unspeakable horrors to four cities in the mythos. Instead of a virus, you’re fighting against cultists and supernatural powers called Shoggoths to avoid awakening the ancient ones. The art is fantastic. The meeple characters are shaped like monsters, investigators, and cultists. It’s a great stand-alone game that gives you a bit of the enjoyment of Pandemic but without the doctor part… unless you want to play as the doctor character, because it wouldn’t be Pandemic if that weren’t still an option, right?
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Board Game
MSRP: $59.99 USD1-5 Players 60 minutesAges 14+
Contents: Intergalactic game board, Star Wars character meeples, connected game cards
This is a stand-alone board game with Pandemic-style mechanics, and its version of intergalactic dramas to defeat and reign victoriously cooperatively. In it, you and your partners choose Jedi with your own special powers to go up against the Separatists. The game features several of the franchise’s beloved (and hated) characters from the film, including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul, and Count Dooku. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is so good that it landed on our lists for the best Star Wars board games, as well as the best board games for teens.
World of Warcraft: Wrath of The Lich King Board Game
MSRP: $59.99 USD1-5 Players 45-60 minutesAges 14+
Contents: World of Warcraft game board, hero meeples, Lich King meeple, abomination meeples, ghoul meeples, Icecrown Citadel, associated cards
Fans of the MMORPG World of Warcraft may be interested in this stand-alone version of the game. Like the Star Wars and Cthuhulu games, this one takes place in its own separate universe, utilizing Pandemic-style playing elements but with a different universe presentation.
In this version, you’ll be battling across the continent of Northrend on the ultimate quest of defeating the Lich King. Of course, you’ll need to complete an ever-piling amount of quests fighting creatures before reaching the Icecrown Citadel, where you’ll face the Lich King himself… if you survive long enough. Will you complete your quest successfully or will you run away with a ghoulish abomination in a disappointing loss that time forgot? Check out our World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King board game review for more info on this game.
More Pandemic Spin-Offs
There are also some period-based game versions to consider (some of which seem to be going out of print in recent years). Iberia, Rising Tide, and Fall of Rome are all stand-alone Pandemic-style games that incorporate similar mechanics to achieve their desired cooperative objectives. Check them out if you’re a fan of a specific historical era.
Shorter Versions of Pandemic
Pandemic: Hot Zone Europe
Looking for a quick-playing version of Pandemic? Two different editions take half the time in the Hot Zone series. Hot Zone North America brings the battle against the virus stateside in half the time that it takes to complete its original counterpart. Want to journey away from North America? Hot Zone Europe will give you that shorter tour in and beyond the Schengen.
Pandemic: Contagion Board Game
One other take on Pandemic that stands on its own is Contagion, which reverses the original board game’s roles. Contagion, while also a shorter-to-play game, is completely different from any of the others out there. You see, in this version, players play as the disease. Yep, you read that right. You and other players are working as the virus to wipe out the human race.
Pandemic Legacy Games
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
On the opposite side of the time-to-play spectrum, if you are seeking a very repeatable, lengthy, and committed gaming experience, consider one of the legacy versions of the game. Legacy games feature campaigns done across multiple play sessions. They require a lot of time commitment and are something to jump into with mindfulness. Legacy games pack in a lot more content than standard games, and are generally more expensive.
Pandemic has multiple legacy versions available to play. The legacy titles are Season 1, Season 2, and Season 0. Legacy games take place over the course of one year. Your actions each month of the campaigns will continue to affect you throughout the course of the very lengthy gameplay. If your gaming crowd holds grudges, well, this one will be a rough year to maneuver!
How to Play the Pandemic Board Game Online
Board Game Arena
A number of iterations of Pandemic are available in digital form. The site Board Game Arena is a browser-based platform where folks can play the game. It’s how several of my friends in my digital board game group and I have enjoyed this version.
To play the base game over there (available for 1-4 players who can play in real-time or turn-based games where players can take turns over several days), someone in your board game group will have to have a premium subscription. A premium subscription to Board Game Arena costs $3 a month, billed at $36.00 once a year. Playing multiple games, even outside of Pandemic, can be well worth the investment. My board game community currently has several ongoing turn-based premium version games going on with regularity.
Tabletopia
Another place you can play Pandemic digitally is via the website Tabletopia. Tabletopia offers three digital versions of the game: Pandemic Hot Zone North America, Pandemic Hot Zone Europe, and Pandemic Legacy Season 0. All of the versions on Tabletopia are available to play free online. The gameplay is a bit different than on Board Game Arena, as their version is a physics-simulated version that is essentially one step in between playing the game physically and playing it on BGA.
Video Game Iterations
Steam used to have a PC version of Pandemic on its store but removed it in January 2022. Other versions of the game on Xbox and the Nintendo Switch were removed at the end of July 2022. It was reported that the development team (Asmodee Digital) might work on a newer game version at some point, they haven’t announced any solid plans yet. Asmodee did not respond to my request for an updated comment.
Bottom Line
I know that in our post-pandemic era, it probably sounds strange to play a game about fighting a pandemic – or, goodness, even being a virus on the opposite end – but my experiences with the Pandemic board game have all been enjoyable. It’s a fun game that shows where your tabletop group’s communication skills work together… and where they could improve. My personal crew has both won and lost plenty of battles playing the game, but our sessions have always been full of laughs, regardless of the outcome. In any case, rally your gaming group and pick the Pandemic base game, spinoff, and/or expansion, and have fun.
Jennifer Stavros is a contributing freelancer for IGN, covering everything from comics, games, technology, and nerd culture. Follow her on Twitter or watch her on Twitch under the handle @scandalous.
