Pandemic: 10th Anniversary Edition - Thoughts with Zee Garcia

Zee takes a look at this version of Pandemic, shows off the components, and shares his thoughts on the product.
00:00 - Introduction
01:22 - Game overview
07:12 - Final thoughts
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[@SuperboyReborn]

Thanks Zee, for bringing a level-headed overview and your thoughts on a "Deluxe" product.

[@brianmyers13]

A misprint? I haven't seen anyone else bring that up...deal killer.

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." So if you wanted to buy this game, you can do so without fear. The packaging is limited edition, so they likely won't do a full new reprint in the special package, but you can get a functional board.

[@TheDeathOfLucifer]

@@joboyogi "It wasn't high quality enough? Dw our Chinese factory will fix this"

[@Vicarl]

Thanks for your honesty, we were about to make a mistake and buy this one instead of the older version. ☺️👍🏻

[@Jeff321]

Not sure who this is targeted to. Certainly fans of the game would want to use the expansions? They should've just made a big box with all the expansions/promos.

[@GarrettPetersen]

On the Brink should have been included at the very least. Extra characters and virulent strain are just cards and they really add a lot.

[@Fighterfan69]

@@GarrettPetersen True. I wouldn't play Pandemic without the virulent strain addition. The base game was much easier but adding On the Brink made the game much more challenging and enjoyable. This does not interest me at all. Especially the let down on the cubes.

[@erikak4244]

Thanks for the walkthrough of the contents. Glad to know I'm not missing anything by not getting it.

[@KabukiKid]

I'm amazed! This is the first time I am hearing about the misprint on the board. That is a pretty big goof!

[@14stockfan]

Pretty sure they goofed on the 2e board as well, I think a connection between South America and Africa was not printed on the board and had to be corrected. Really shoddy proofing.

[@scyldscefing3913]

Bold position on a game we all know you love. Thanks.

[@goyasolidar]

Deluxe version needs a deluxe version.

[@chriswinston1223]

exactly!

[@LookWhosBlogging]

Zee is a big fan of Pandemic?

[@Steve-L]

It's just a rumor. Don't believe everything from the internet.

[@LookWhosBlogging]

@@Steve-L Also heard he was adopted by Chinese parents?

[@osk3i]

Thank you for the honest review! Glad I just got the minis by itself.

[@finalmentefunfou]

I would trade this "deluxe" version for a Pandemic BigBox (all expansions included) any time.

[@Phelixc]

Was expecting some serious amount of fawning and super hyped up review for this when I saw Zee was doing the video on one of his favorite games getting a deluxe edition... The fact that it was neither, speaks volumes about this edition. Glad I watched this before I shelled out the money for it...

[@Aikuchi.]

Wait...... Why aren't all the expansion included in the the box???? Isn't that what people for the most part expect in "deluxe" versions these days???

[@TheDeathOfLucifer]

This really isnt titled as a "Deluxe" Just overhauled version for the 10th anniversary of the base game. I dont think this was produced with 100$ as the "forever price" it's like 60 now

[@Y3sterdaysCub]

damn didn't see that coming. We all know how much this would've sucked for Zee to review considering the misprint and wooden cubes etc... personally, i prefer the transparent coloured plastic cubes that give a 'sci fi/medical' vibe from the standard edition. It's disappointing how major companies are producing misprints on their boards like this...it happened with the Specter ops Broken Covenant board (where they misprinted a space - however they released replacement stickers to 'patch' your board). The board is Crucial to the experience..its half the bloody name of the hobby. cheers for the honest review mate. appreciate it

[@baronleonard571]

Thanks a lot, Zee. I was about to buy this version, but after seeing your detail explanations, I finally bought the original one instead. :)

[@TylerAndToast]

Thanks for this honest components review!

[@MegaMarkusJT]

Buying Pandemic + On the Brink + In the Lab gives me better components. AND a lot of expansions.

[@benjaminchernik7330]

yeah i don't know who was in charge of this edition but they really didn't seem to take a gamers' interest in its design...i don't know any fan of pandemic who doesn't think that on the brink is a necessary expansion so that at the very least should have been in a deluxe version...also maybe i'm in the minority but i actually prefer the plastic cubes and markers over the wooden ones...i do like how the board looks in this version and the minis would be better if it included the expansion roles but i'd rather just use the pawns if mixing them anyway...

[@Panda8ngel]

Thanks for the review! I'm glad you pointed out the misprint on the board. I won't get this edition because I have all the expansions. Also, my meeple source bits make me feel like my version is more deluxe than this one. 😅

[@Wh0isTh3D0ct0r]

I like the look of Pandemic 2nd Edition better. I'm not sure why some board game reprints lately have had such muted colors (lookin' at you, Kingsburg and Blue Moon City).

[@ZagnutBar]

The color bases are removable so that you can use the deluxe figures on Pandemic Legacy Season One, where characters are not assigned fixed colors. That's what we did.

[@vildanbesirovic6902]

thank you for your input. that helped with decision

[@gokuskywalker2442]

Very imparcial for such a huge fan of the game. Congrats Zee! Got the painted figurines for my standard version. What is your opinion on these, and should owners of the original go for them?

[@Aaron.Rants.Reviews]

Reminds me of the the Risk: Onyx Edition that also had a missing connection between Greenland and Iceland

[@FrankMinogue]

Thank you so much for a great review!! I agree, not worth the money for the misprint, the cubes, the box, etc.. not going there!!

[@jacobsteele7138]

If you contact them they will provide a replacement board. Saw it at gameboardgeeks.

[@edwardliddell501]

Wow, they really made some mistakes on this. That's a shame. Could've been a really cool product.

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." So if you wanted to buy this game, you can do so without fear. The packaging is limited edition, so they likely won't do a full new reprint in the special package, but you can get a functional board.

[@kristinarusnok3283]

The removable stands on the figures will be useful for people who want to paint the figures.

[@penderrin1637]

This is a beautiful version of the game, the only thing that bugs me is that the card backing is different so if you want to use the expansions you have to use the old deck

[@deathrace8287]

Thanks Zee!!

[@davew472]

What’s board size like vs legacy season 1?

[@carlosquintanilla3700]

I started my board game experience with zombicide, but I always wanted to try Pandemic. I really like the looks of the 10th anniversary edition, as Zee describes in the video is not as deluxed as expected. But in this precise moment I feel it could be a good jump start considering I've seen some good deals on this edition. My question is do I go with the 10th anniversary or with old version?

[@Otherspersons]

I can't believe that connection is missing. How was that not spotted? I was already not getting it, but now I have no desire whatsoever.

[@KTCobra]

THANKS ZEE!

[@PMMagro]

The expansion parts I understand, really weird misstake. Easy to sleeve though. The map issue is minor, You could draw a line to make usre to remember theese are adjacent.

[@LizGamerGirl]

Aw man! I was hoping they removed that connection for game play purposes.... well good thing I’ve been playing as if it’s still there ;)

[@guillermoz4914]

“Flaud Product” for sure!

[@gurtana]

Why is it not expandable? Seems to me that if you sleeves the cards in this version and the expansions the same - it would work out..?

[@realshaolinprince]

That's why I just bought the painted minis and not the game. Saved $90.

[@juliesquirrel5269]

Me too.

[@oysterplus]

lets wait for the 20th anniversary edditon then

[@Andrew-if9do]

That map is stunning, although the missing connection could be a change, like some connections were changed in Pandemic Legacy Season 1?

[@xerxesrigon7950]

just got a notification from asmodee saying they shipped a replacement board.

[@thurlynox]

Hi there, haven't played any of these games yet and I'm wondering, WHY you guys say that it's not compatible with expansions? There's no information regarding this on the publishers' websites. Thanks for the help

[@iannoble8626]

I saw this on the shelf in a local shop a few days ago. I love Pandemic, but I took a brief look, filed it under "not for me" and put it back. Frankly, if you're a gamer you'd need to be a completist collector to buy this. It doesn't contain the minimal expansions that improve the game, and the cards aren't compatible with existing expansions. Yes, it's got a bigger board, which is great - but most people aren't going to shell out a significant wadge of money just for that. As for the "misprint", though - maybe it is, maybe it isn't. The Legacy Season 1 board was different from vanilla Pandemic, as well.

[@iannoble8626]

The more I think about it, the less I'm convinced that that absent link is a misprint. It could very easily be intentional. And I certainly wouldn't let it stop me buying, were I so inclined. Yes, taking out that link makes movement around the area harder - but it's marginal; the area is heavily interconnected, and I can't see that being the difference between winning and losing very often. Whereas the number of connections in that area make it VERY prone to sudden losses to Outbreak cascades. I can see a good argument for the link having been removed deliberately, to throttle that back a bit. And as I said in an earlier post, we already know, from Pandemic Legacy Season 1, that the board configuration isn't sacrosanct. It would just be a little unusual to make a change like that as the only tweak to an "anniversary" edition.

[@peterterry7918]

I still have my first edition and On the brink. I picked up the minis for $10. I am more likely to get a second edition so I can play InThe Lab than this 10th Anniversary Ed

[@HarryPotter2095]

where did you find the minis? :D

[@joboyogi]

Following up for people that need the info. I just got the sticker pack in the mail from Asmodee that fixes the misprint. It also comes with a bunch of other stickers and stuff.

[@danielmimm795]

How did you get it? I sent a message but I'm still waiting to hear back

[@joboyogi]

Since you didn't respond on whether or not you actually contacted Asmodee, I went out of my way to do it. They responded with: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." So it sounds like they're going to replace the boards. Responsible journalism FTW.

[@atomicgps7488]

@joboyogi So, did they send you a whole new replacement board or did they just send a sticker of the missing link ?

[@Funsickled]

Yep. It is what it is, brutha. It is what is.

[@kevinbhieey9188]

I hate this on so many levels! It actually feels like they found a list of most-hated board game features and worked their way down it! A tin? Seriously?? The minis are dreadfully ugly and without the colored bases, I'd never know who was who. The cards look fine, but black borders? The board is pretty - they've obviously realized that Iberia is their best-looking board, so they borrowed a bit of that look - but now it's thematically bankrupt. The retro look of the Survival Series works because those things happened in the past. Base Pandemic is about what could happen RIGHT NOW. Removing the technological theme makes it seem historical, and there weren't horrifying diseases running rampant in the 1950s. And why is it so big? Pandemic takes up so much space already. If there was ever a chance of me buying this - which there isn't - that chance disappeared without the inclusion of On the Brink. People who love Pandemic enough to pay for a $100 version have played this game enough to know that they wouldn't want to play it with just the Original Recipe characters! Instead of creating this unnecessary cash grab, how about coming up with a Collectors Edition that included ALL Roles (and Event Cards) and minis for all of them. Hell, I might've paid for an edition that was ONLY minis (better ones), virus tokens and new cards, if it was at a reasonable price point. Which doesn't seem possible with Z-Man so nevermind...

[@sithralas2010]

zman thinking: "hey what can we give the pandemic freaks out there for our anniversary?" ... " hmm let us contact our people in china and source some cheap components, a metal box and such, but wait how do we save money on it and still charge a premium as for it to be an anniversary edition?" ... " i have an idea, let us just involve our graphic designer since the game itself is done, just need some new fancy colors." and so on and so forth. it is a shame what some publishers nowadays do. thanks to the dice tower with usually unbiast / fair opinions. keep up the good work and i hope that we can crush this years kickstarter to make you even better.. thank you.

[@CrunchBarry_]

A misprint is a BIG deal, but maybe it isn't actually a misprint and is instead intended to reduce the extremity of outbreaks in that region? He himself said that he hasn't seen this addressed anywhere else, so my initial thought is that it is indeed a misprint, since it would have been addressed quickly if it was on purpose, but I suppose we don't know for sure. It almost seems like he's being over critical at first but, in fact, he's being very level-headed about it all. He is praising that which he feels deserves praise and criticizing that which isn't up to par. I was (and still am) considering getting this, but knowing now what it includes and the quality of the components, I will only get it if I see it on sale and then it will only be a display piece. (I really like that you can wall mount it like an old school first aid kit).

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." So if you wanted to buy this game, you can do so without fear. The packaging is limited edition, so they likely won't do a full new reprint in the special package, but you can get a functional board.

[@Dalmatinac3]

Just draw the line witha few black squares. Not too hard to do. But i get it, it costs a lot of money and should be perfect.

[@Domi_Asmo]

I got it because I didn't have the game yet (yes, I know, shame on me) and wanted to get it anyways, but yes, I agree, the wodden cubes are a disappointment, I exchanged them with the translucent ones from Legacy, they go so much better better with the rest of the shiny, glossy feeling of the board. And the misprint really is a bummer... :(

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." Just fill in the form on Asmodee's website and you can get a new board.

[@pirotehs]

I can't believe they misprinted the wrong misprint. They should have misprinted the connection between Lagos and Sao Paulo as in my first printrun copy.

[@Br0kenM0nkey]

For an Anniversary/Deluxe version, it makes zero sense that they didn't include the expansion characters and other content. The cured diseases tokens is exactly what the cubes should have been, but on a smaller scale. They should have kept the awesome Cure Vials from In The Lab expansion.

[@jeremyboughtono2]

Wow that misprint is a shocker unfortunately I have already bought this edition.

[@Fireplayish]

My friend did the same about 2 weeks ago. I'm honestly not sure if I should bring it up or not.

[@jeremyboughtono2]

Fireplayish Sales will tank once people hear about this.

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." Just fill out the replacement form at the Asmodee website.

[@megalodon2012]

Love Pandemic, but as a color blind person i always had trouble with the translucent cubes. I for one am glad they went with the wood, but i know that's probably not everyone's cup of tea.

[@jeffharris2741]

Sometimes game producers forget that not everyone who loves to play games can see all colors and that's a shame. I am not color-blind, but my best friend is and so we figure out ways to make adjustments to most games so that there's little interruption or distraction caused by components in our gameplay. I'd love to see more game designers produce games with color blind gamers in mind. Happy gaming!

[@falconwind00]

Well, crap. I got this as a xmas gift. I guess I can try fixing it with a ruler and a extra fine sharpie....

[@Fireplayish]

Can you return it and get the Legacy or another game?

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." Just fill in the form at the Asmodee website.

[@markusschmidt9260]

No way, I would buy this, given the other issues (at most the incompatibility and lack of expansions), but the wooden cubes I still would prefer for this edition. I think the translucent looked really nice on the "night board" of the standard edition, but wouldn't aesthetically match with the new board and cure markers. I'm actually more disappointed, that they did not replace the research centres. Also I think, character meeples would have looked nicer then these miniatures.

[@YaotzinMI]

I would have expected fancy plastic or wood shapes for the diseases. The tin looks flimsy as all get out. Honestly i like the look of the plastic bottles for the eradication markers better. A real Downer this turned out to be.

[@charleshill5931]

I saw this at Gen Con, I had no interest for it since it was obvious there were no expansions included. It was already on sale once, so I’m guessing most are not buying it.

[@joboyogi]

Did you contact Zman about the misprint? That would be the minimum expectation for responsible journalism.

[@-FLIPSID3]

I pre-ordered this originally...then I cancelled as I wasn't sure I liked the style. Then I thought...ahhh I should just get it - so I set up a pre-order again. Then once I saw the final product...I cancelled it again. Based on what I've seen since - I'm glad I did. Instead I bought Pandemic: Iberia = much better choice!

[@-FLIPSID3]

The washed out look, inclusion of cubes that are terrible, and the almost camo card backs just comes off as horrible to me. No way it's worth $100 Add in the misprint/lack of QA for something like this is just disappointing at best.

[@bagookster]

Ouch!

[@DrMcFly28]

I like the board. But that's about it.

[@FeartheMalice]

I did not like the mini's I thought they are ehh.

[@phantomcyrano]

So Pandemic's 10th anniversary deluxe edition is essentially a Hasbro quality reprint of the 2nd edition? That wouldn't be nearly as disappointing if it weren't for the $100 price tag. This game deserves better than this. I went back and double checked and was shocked to find that Zman actually put their name on this. Have a little more pride in your amazing game and a little more respect for your fans next time Zman.

[@chrisfederspiel9638]

Reprinting a whole new board for everyone that purchases this will likely be deemed cost prohibitive. So, they will likely send out a sticker to replace the connection, which is completely unacceptable for a "collectors edition". Let's see what happens.

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee (unlike Zee) and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." So if you wanted to buy this game, you can do so without fear. The packaging is limited edition, so they likely won't do a full new reprint in the special package, but you can get a functional board. The boards are a lot cheaper than you think to produce. The cost may even be covered by their insurance or the manufacturer. They'll mail it out to whoever fills out the form, likely for free.

[@jonathanolson4553]

Plastic cubes > Wood Cubes.... almost every time.

[@Jonathan02937]

How Does QA miss the missing route in Asia? So glad I didn't buy.

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." So if you wanted to buy this game, you can do so without fear. The packaging is limited edition, so they likely won't do a full new reprint in the special package, but you can get a functional board.

[@RGcrasyRG]

Plastic cubes all the way!

[@hoolio197900]

Oi. I didn't realize the cost! Oh well pandemic Iberia is the only version anyway

[@souprocks44]

gosh that misprint kills the board. The art is amazing, and i love the size. but that misprint just kills the whole set

[@dantes9811]

Such a disappointment. Thanks for the overview. Happy to save some money though;)

[@ScytheNoire]

Wow, they really messed up with this product. They put more time and effort in the case than the rest of the game. The misprinted board is completely unacceptable. The miniatures have horrible bases and mediocre sculpts. The markers, all of them, are subpar for a collector's edition. Seems both Z-Man and Days of Wonder are cheaping out and making crappy anniversary editions these days.

[@avisian8063]

Bought this for the missus for Christmas and we disagreed about the wooden disease cubes. I like them, and think they work best with the colour scheme, in a way that plastic just wouldn't in my opinion. She agrees with you, Zee. I think you are both FOOLS. 😁 But I hadn't noticed the misprint... Well that's really annoying

[@joboyogi]

I actually made the effort to contact Asmodee and it looks like they'll replace the boards. Their response: "We have been made aware of this. Chinese New Year has the factories closed right now, but when they reopen we'll work with them to address the issue." Just contact Asmodee and fill in the form for a new board.

[@AndronacheIonut]

For me the fact that it does not contain any expansions and can’t use any of existing ones was a no no from the beginning. I’m extremely disappointed on the way they handle this opportunity. In my opinion, worst deluxe version of the games I have came in contact with in the past 10 years.

[@goldbug371]

a colossal miss

[@larrye]

Money grab. Just like Ticket to Ride 10th Anniversary. This should have come with the expansions, then maybe...

[@martinlarouche4418]

For me, who is never planning to buy 32 maps for a game i play only once in a while, the 10th anniversary of Ticket to Ride is awesome. It's a lot better than the regular version and i don't care one iota for other maps. This Pandemic? There's a misprint... but i think Zee, for all the respect i give to him, has maybe overblown this part. I am not exactly sure that wether the missing path is there or not, that it will affect the gameplay immensely... It's a small difference between the versions, but i'm not sure it changes the game that much. As for the rest, everything is better imo. Still cubes, but whatever...

[@winnie666]

"Money grab." It's called love letter to the hardcore fans. Hence it is limited. But i understand, there are a lot of people who are such negative nancys, it's all good. But it baffles me that someone can't imagine that there are people who love a game and want a deluxe version.

[@arcubal]

Maybe the flaws are intentional metaphors for the flaws of humanity.

[@XD-rd8zd]

really dissapointing edition...

[@XacXado]

Disappointing...

[@jfren484b]

Hey Zee, even if the board is different from the original game and it was NOT on purpose, I don't see it as a big deal. It's just different.

[@DeePsix501]

Wood > Plastic

[@kevinbhieey9188]

No. These are viruses, which would be looked at through a microscope in liquid form (aka blood). Until they create translucent wood, that doesn't work thematically. A wooden virus piece would be better than a translucent cube, of course, but painted wood also fades and/or chips.

[@AugerMartel]

A friend of mine purchased this: Very disappointing, appallingly executed. The board is really nice and probably the highlight along with the minis but is completely ruined by the missing Asian connection misprint. Yes, you should be able to get a replacement corrected board but the consumer should in no way, shape or form have to do this hassle in the first place, especially at this price point. Completely unacceptable and an embarrassing blunder by those responsible. But in my view, the box and cubes are even worse. The cubes feel and look cheap and are much more duller than the cubes in the normal version. My friends box is already showing dents and BOTH hinges are loose and he does take care of his games. Publishers: STOP USING TIN CASES AND COMPONENTS, they dint and get worn no matter how well you look after it. I own The Godfather: Corleone's Empire which I love but the tin suitcases have dings on them which can't be fixed no matter how much you take care of them. Overall a very disappointing product. Just get Pandemic Iberia. Best version of Pandemic in my view, looks great and is very affordable and more importantly, in my opinion, the most enjoyable version and can be constantly replayed unlike the legacy seasons.