Game Response Questions – Pandemic

Was it fun?
- I thoroughly enjoyed the game pandemic, though it was a little Annoying to set up at first.
What were the player interactions?
- Basically, all the players interacted by trying to beat the game before the game beat the players. More times than not, there are more ways to lose than there are to win, so it required a lot of teamwork. Communication was the biggest interaction between players as far as how we can all use the mechanics of the game to our benefit and sort of foreshadow and strategize each turn.
How long did it take to learn?
- I would say it probably took us a good 20 minutes to learn just because there were so many mechanics to add on to the themes, like there was a hand limit of seven, also the idea of the flights and how cures work, and the infection rate increases while trying to get rid of outbreaks and epidemics.
What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played?
- Honestly, the most frustrating moment of the game was probably when I had my little rage moment trying to collect enough cards to trade them in for cures but also part of me wanted to wipe out all the epidemics before finishing the game.
What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played?
- My favorite moment of Pandemic was honestly strategizing with my other players on how we could trade and meet up with each other in the same city as well as how each of us could take on our own City so that we each had our own cures.
Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t?
- Honestly, the only thing I would add, which is outside of the game structure and games in general, was the ability to sort of go back or reverse a turn because there were a lot of times where we didn’t 100% think the outcome through when there was a better way of going about it.
If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything from the experience, what would it be?
- If I had a magic wand, I would try to find a way to remake the game, but from a Gateway game perspective, using Luck instead of strategy, I think it would be interesting to see how the mechanics, meaning, and theme shifted, and honestly, a different theme in general would be interesting to see how it went into play.
Is this a game you would play again? Yes _____ No ______ Why
- I would definitely play this game again and have already considered asking my friends to come to the library to play it with me. I think what makes this game so addictive is that competitiveness; however, it is not everybody for themselves, it is everyone else against the game and I think that brings an added power of teamwork.
Analyze the game using the 3 act structure.
- As far as the beginning structure or act one of the game, it all starts with the setup, as far as where infection starts on the board and who each player will take part in, and all of the added rules to send players’ characters, as well as divvying up all of the epidemic cards. The second act, which is the idea of the struggle and push for victory, comes into play when players use strategic moves and trade to their fullest advantage, ultimately coming up with more cures. The third act, or the push for victory, comes into play when all of the infections on the board have depleted. You’re down to your final set of cards, looking to get the last of the cures, when the whole gameplay intensifies, which can also come across as a euphoric phase for the players. This is where all players’ emotions are heightened.
What are the collaborative and or competitive aspects of the game?
- I would honestly say the collaborative aspect of the game is very prevalent in trying to beat the game, especially when reaching the third Act. As far as the competitive aspect between players, I don’t really think that is prevalent in the game.
What is the game’s metaphor and which of the game’s mechanics standout?
- Overall, the game’s metaphor is the idea of an expanding pandemic, which is the realm the players live in for the entirety of the game. Of the couple of game mechanics I mentioned earlier, I would honestly say the one that stood out the most was the cures because that was the biggest way for the players to beat the game.