While the COVID-19 pandemic has been terrifying for millions of people and disrupting many aspects of our global societies, it has also exposed, exacerbated, and solidified certain weaknesses, vulnerabilities and inequalities, making some groups more vulnerable than others. It has also shown areas of strength, resilience, and innovation.
In the world of board games, the Pandemic universe has had its share of spin-offs with varying themes and game systems that are set in different universes. Sometimes these spin-offs have an entirely new game mechanic that stands on its own while other times they are more like a thematic expansion that adds a layer of fun to the base game without changing the rules.
Some of these Pandemic-themed spin-offs include:
Vanilla Pandemic: A cooperative worker placement game where players take on the roles of medics and scientists as they travel the world trying to stop a series of highly contagious diseases. Vanilla Pandemic includes four different scenarios and the ability to play the game solo.
Pandemic: In the Lab (2021) — Designed by Matt Leacock and Rob Daviau, this expansion adds new roles, a new game board that represents a laboratory setting, and the ability to play with up to six players or compete as rival teams. The expansion also includes extra scenarios, Virulent Strain events, and a Worldwide Panic Mutation scenario.
Pandemic: Iberia (2019) — This expansion for Pandemic offers streamlined faster gameplay with smaller maps of one part of the world, miniature cards and a unique type of event and challenge card. The game also features a character that can place quarantine markers and a new way to find cures.