Pandemic: In the Lab Review - with the Game Boy Geek

[@alexisle7053]

This is how we can play Pandemic with 8 ppl. 4 try to get rid of dz on the map while 4 try to work in the lab. When a player tries to find a cure for a color he has to wait for ppl in the lab to finish the lab work first. How fun

[@StarcraftOakley]

Too often we find ourself having to maximize the use of every action on the board to not run out of cubes while making sure we also don't run out of a player deck. I don't see how this expansion makes the game more interesting when it will only soak up more actions, more cubes and more cards, just makes it more convoluted and longer with less chance of winning...

[@Fergit_]

The plastic cubes look much cooler than the old wooden ones.

[@PetronPendrake]

I emailed about my Pandemic board on may 18th and 30th. Both friendly, and the latter included my address. On Aug 12th, I received an email stating they are still working on shipping out replacement boards, but had to ordered more. They didn't have an ETA on when a new boards would be in stock and shipped, but was hoping with in the next 2 months. No board here yet.

[@yobo93]

It changes movement completely. Normally you have to coordinate your movement so that Player A can give Player B that Miami card.

[@Girlyglo]

You made this game so easy to understand and play. Thanks so much.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

@ Mickskitz, It can be played without the On The Brink Expansion just fine. However if you did have that expansion, it adds some cards for the virulent strain and other aspects of that expansion. Yes you could play with 6 without the lab board. However I've found the game most enjoyable with 3 or 4 players. With 6 you get a lot less turns each and it seems even harder. So if you have 6 players use the min amount of epidemic cards from the rules.

[@otterbot]

Thanks for showcasing that it all fits in one box! That's a little detail that make a big difference in my interaction with the game. Cool detail! Great job.

[@arjuna207]

Looks like you have the second edition base game, released in 2013

[@yopyopboumboum9505]

I have a (probably stupid) question, but from what I understand the spatial structure of the circles on a sequence card is not important (or the fact that circles are linked by either a simple or a double trait) ? Thanks for this amazing review :)

[@kevinjohnsonsieman8490]

could you give me the example how to "fly" pilot role works ?

[@danieldong5002]

Does that lab expansion include all the original contents of the pandemic?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

@ Rua it can play 6, but in my experience has been nest with 3-4. After that there just seems to be too few turns of each player before the deck runs out. In general the more players, the harder it is so use less epidemic cards and it would feel as hard as with 2 players and more epidemic cards.

[@comp.lex4]

The game lists compatibility for 6 players because of the Teams gamemode- there's compatibility for 3 teams of 2 players each, for a total of 6 players. I don't think it's meant to be played cooperatively with 6 players.

[@otterbot]

Wow, thorough and yet simplified walk-through of all that's been added. I wasn't sure if I would make the transition to the new edition/expansions. While your enthusiasm gets me excited, I see the game has gone in a different direction than what I want out of Pandemic as a family game that's accessible on the first play. I totally agree the lab adds thematic detail, but it looks like Pandemic: The Gamer's Expansion by Tom Lehman. For me, it's "MUST TRY, won't buy." Thank you, very helpful!

[@Ederfb78]

The new game is 35$. Just domlike I did and sell the old game for 20$. You'll get a brand new Pandemic for 15$. As for the In the Lab extension, tried it last week and I agree with this review, it's fun, the components are fantastic and the mecanic fits the theme perfectly. I probably will not get back to the old way :). Also, from what I've seen, if you have the old version of the game, you can still play In the Lab. You will only need sleevs if you want to add the three new Event cards.

[@bartholomewfargo]

I'm sorry if this is a silly question, but are the events in the lab all happening along with the events in the main game, or are you just using the materials from the main game (cards/cubes, etc) in this mode?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

You shuffle the new events with the old ones and use a certain number of them depending on the number of players.

[@julianvickers]

Yeah I also emailed them about a replacement board for Pandemic, but they don't even bother to email back. It's been many months now and no action.

[@balzi76]

Great Review. Is there a review somewhere about the upgrade packs? I would have enjoyed that

[@TheDeathOfLucifer]

You can do this. It's been 6 years, where is this video?

[@wellesradio]

@@TheDeathOfLucifer What upgrade packs?

[@RuaLupa]

I want to know what its like as a 6 player game because that is point our group is at now where we fluctuate between 3, 4, 5, and 6 players and are unable to play a lot of games once we reach 5 or more players. Being able to add Pandemic to that list would be great so I'm wondering if its worth it as a 6 player game?

[@Crimsonguyver]

Rua Lupa

[@rsamp2124]

No its not. You need to buy compatibility kits (1 for the base game and 1 for the first expansion) to be able to play this with the original. They are basically replacement cards, and I don't think the expansion one is available yet. I also imagine the old components would not be able to be stored in the box as shown either. I have a true 1st edition with the extra long research centers and they definitely wouldn't fit.

[@williamburke1731]

The background music sounds like something out of a 70's porn flick!

[@Gamingnight]

privateer press is on mine on monster poc they said they send replacement figs after talking with 3 people 3 different phone calls and 3 different emails saying its been shipped. and it has been a year. so no more monster poc for me.

[@ThYr0N]

Hi I bought recently Pandemic (Second Edition) and our group pf players already played a lot, so I'm looking for new stuff for the game and I'm a little lost with th On the Brink expansion I keep on seeing the squared box, but I think is the old On the brink exopansion. The new On the Brink is the same rectangular box as Pandemic correct? Then asking this, worth tho buy On The Brink expansion? I really like the In the Lab and I for sure will buy In the Lab, worth to buy the On the Brink?

[@kimberlyhansen3939]

Thank you for the overview, it was very helpful!

[@Ederfb78]

I'm starting to get a little bit tired of all the people complaning about the new design, and that it is not compatible with the new extensions, etc... The previous design dated and they had to chnage it to give this fantastic game a second life.

[@HotaruZoku]

I always wondered what running out of cubes was supposed to represent thematically. The idea that a disease has surpassed a level through growth that leaves it beyond hope of containment? Also, I'm not knocking your camera, but I've got a 42 inch screen, and at 720p, I still can't read the Local Liason.

[@tozmom615]

That’s how I’ve always thought of it thematically. Either it is out of control or you get sacked because they lose confidence in your ability as too many have died.

[@s2601d]

Oh my god my brain blowing I was learning On A Brink About 3 weeks and now everything will be more complicated

[@TurboBusters]

Does the petri dishes come with this expansion (in the lab)?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Tarik Mesinovic Yes

[@TurboBusters]

TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews I bought this game online from a game store, I got it today (unpacked of course) but there were no petri dishes;(. Guess I'll have to contact the store.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Tarik Mesinovic I think I made a mistake. I believe those came in the previous expansion On the Brink. I apologize

[@TurboBusters]

TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews No problem, I was just wondering because I was confused when it came. but I will buy the ''on the brink'' expansion later anyways so it doesn't really matter.

[@Lugo428]

Robert J the dishes really add to the theme, in my opinion.

[@Serpentotia]

Thanks for the review. Been waiting a while for this. I own the older version of Pandemic plus On The Brink and was wondering if In The Lab was worth the price + 2 conversion packs according to ZMan Games. Overall I think it's skippable. Why bother with the whole lab headache when you still need 5 cards to cure a disease? The teams thing seems a bit counterintuitive, introducing competition into a game that is mainly co-op. But it could work for some people. In the end, I won't be buying it.

[@JasonCookingham]

Thank you for the review. The new mechanics are very different, and it looks convoluted. That may disappear with plays. It is a shame they felt the need to do this ugly reprint (did they get a deal on blue ink?). If it was for the original game, then I may try it.

[@kustomkure]

they put out incredible games, why in the world would you not keep buying their product? lazy customer support? not enough

[@jonnyneo53]

Can anyone explain to me the abilities of the pilot? The way I understand it is that he cannot move via Drive, Direct flight, or charter flight. He can only move to a city 3 connections away and may take another pawn with him if they're on the same space. Is this correct? I find it weird that it forces the pilot to move 3 connections away only, and not be able to move to the city next to where he's at...

[@cemerson]

It's UP TO 3 connections away, doesn't have to be 3, as far as I know.

[@JoshuaCJones]

Finally I can understand this and play it......!

[@crimson49er]

zman games is on my $h*t list right now. every one of their games i've bought has had missing components, and printing errors. it's been 9 months & they still haven't shipped my replacement board or parts. their customer service is garbage, good luck getting a reply from them. too many strikes. i will no longer buy anything with their name on it..... end of rant & thank you for the review GBG

[@matthewnuckles6032]

I e-mailed them with no reply, then 6 month latter I had my board delivered. So you MAY get new board or replacement, just no response letting you know. I agree that's just poor customer service.

[@jorunholm9060]

You are sooooooooooooo goood

[@14stockfan]

This seems unnecessarily complicated and time consuming. I don't see how this is really adding anything to this game, I'm happy with just the base game and On the Brink (the original versions).

[@danieldukai1380]

I think it helps with immersion, but if you don't like it, it's fine.

[@crimson49er]

why in the world would i keep buying their product? I have recently found a number of posts on BGG of customers with similar experiences to mine as well. I understand that no production line is perfect, but a company that simply ignores it's customers is unacceptable & i will not be supporting them.