Description
In this game, you work together to stop deadly diseases from running rampant across the world. This has always been one of our all-time favorite board games for the whole family, and playing it right now has also felt a bit cathartic. It even helped my kids understand more of what’s going on right now, and the pretend aspect helped them work through some of their anxieties about the current real-life pandemic situation.
If you’re playing with a wide range of ages, the rules include variations so you can increase or decrease the difficulty level to fit who you’re playing with.
Note: The manufacturer says this is for ages 10 and up, but according to several other families (including mine!) many 7-year-olds who can read are ready for this game, especially if you help them with figuring out the strategy the first few times you play. And because it’s a cooperative game, helping each other is encouraged!
From the Manufacturer
You and your team are the only things standing in the way of deadly diseases that threaten the world. The fate of humanity is in your hands.
As members of an elite disease control team, you must keep four deadly diseases at bay in this cooperative game of teamwork. Work together as you travel the globe to treat infections while collecting the cards you need to discover a cure for each disease. But the clock is ticking as outbreaks and epidemics fuel the spreading plagues. As a cooperative game, players win or lose together. Only by working together can you keep the outbreaks in check and find the cures in time!
WARNING: Choking Hazard – Contains small parts not suitable for children under 3 years.
Kathy Brown –
I bought this game primarily for us adults, but my kids ages 7 and 10 enjoy playing it with us. We love that it is a cooperative game where we all work together to prevent disease outbreaks and end the pandemics. What makes it fun each time you play is that you end up with a different combination of player roles, which are the special powers each player has to help cure diseases. It works as a two player game, but it is easier to win with more players. Would definitely recommend this game!
Stephanie Reed –
This is a favorite co-operative game of our teen! It’s his choice every time. It is fast paced, full of suspense and challenge too! We usually win about 75% of the time. It’s for a good amount of people, so families can play. It’s a bit much for my almost 7 year old, but she teams up with someone else usually (doesn’t keep her attention fully), but my 10 year old can play on his own. Each game is different depending on what character you get, how the epidemic cards are pulled and you can increase the difficulty by adding more epidemic cards. Always fun and we recommend!
Becky Kessler –
We love this game because it is a great game for only two players. Our kids are too little to play (5, 4, and 2), but it is our go to game for a little date night at home after the kids go to bed!!
Heather Westropp –
My family loves this game! It’s unique because it’s a cooperative game, meaning we all have to work as a team to win, but it’s still very interesting and challenging. I’d say it’s best for ages 10 and up, and kids will most likely need more guidance to participate- but that works, since each player’s turn involves the whole team collaborating anyway. I’d recommend this game to friends!
Lisa –
This game is a family favorite (13 year old boy and 11 year old girl) because you work together to win the game! This is an extra perk for my daughter who is a perfectionist and has the tendency to shut down on a game if she is losing (we are working on that but it’s easier said than done). It also promotes creative thinking and problem solving skills. Not to mention the need to have clear communication between players, and negotiating/compromising between plans of attack.
Laura Smith –
This game is quite intense. (We actually played it about a week before the REAL pandemic of 2020 started!!!!!) It takes team work and smart thinking, but is also fun and engaging and clever.