Z-Man Games ZM7112 | Pandemic in the Lab | Board Game EXPANSION | Ages 8+ | For 1 to 6 Players | 45 Minutes Playing Time,Black

First off, this is an expansion for the board game Pandemic 2013 and Pandemic on the Brink. If you haven't bought them yet, go get them, they're fantastic.Pandemic: In The Lab adds, or should I say replaces, the original rules for 'curing diseases' in Pandemic. Pandemic is my absolute favourite board game, so I was hesitant as to whether these new rules would change the game for the worse, but I shouldn't have worried. It's a great addition to the game.If there was a downside to the original game, it was that maybe the theme (working together to find vaccines) wasn't always reflected in the gameplay. In The Lab changes all that. Instead of just collecting 5 matching colour cards and trading them in for a 'cure', now the team actually participates in 'Lab Actions', moving cubes around Petri Dishes and solving puzzles in order to find a cure for a given disease. Not only that, but now ALL the players can help develop a cure for the illness, whereas in the original game this was left to one person at a time, so there are even more opportunities to co-operate and work as a team. Even though it sounds more complicated, the new rules actually aren't that complex: it's simply a different (and in my opinion better) way to play the game.Some new roles, cool new components and optional variants complete the package, but this new curing mechanic is the main reason to get this expansion, and I think once you've tried it, you won't be going back. Really recommended.Sidenote: The new plastic 'vaccine' vials that come with this expansion don't have their lids glued on very well. If you find they've fallen off when you get your copy, you may have to glue them on yourself with a quick splodge of glue. This wasn't a big deal to me, but in fairness I should point it out. Happy gaming!

Now THAT is a neat mechanic. Makes things 10x more interesting now. And they were interesting as it is. I still cant decide if it makes it harder or not. But either way it seems to add to the game in a brilliant way. Its essentially the rule for the old Virologist (i think) role in the old pandemic where you collect cubes and then can use them alongside cards to find a cure. Except in this the cubes go through a simulated scientific process where the cubes you collect can be altered in one way or another (depending on what you do with them on the lab board). This adds a whole new layer.Some will think it complicates the game too much. And yeah, i can see that. Some people will find the lab board is more a nuisance than a nice addition. But...Get this anyway, it adds a ton of new cards including a few new roles and revised roles. It adds a few more cubes to the mutation (purple) disease. And the box is made to accomodate all the petri dishes perfectly making for a very neat box when it has all been put away. Plus more that i am sure i must be forgetting. So even if you never use the lab mechanic you will have all the other things to add to your game. And at least you will get a chance to try the lab mechanic assuming you have not done so yet.For solo players like myself the lab mechanic works very well in that too. In fact... Correct me if i am wrong but i think it is this expansion which provides some new solo rules.

My 11years old son just crazy about this game series 👍 we play all together or he can play alone.

Great expansion but needs another expansion to get the full use out of it. It didnt say this prior to buying

I have the original one and decided to buy one extension to have even more fun, and it worked! My partner and I enjoy that game so much! we loose more than we win for now bur we are getting better every week :)I didn't know I needed to buy the expansion on the Brink before In the Lab, but it's not such a big problem.

The new roles are very interesting, especially the Virologist - she's even become my new favourite! This expansion also addresses On the Brink's less-than-daunting Mutation Challenge, making it something players can no longer afford to ignore. It adds two new Virulent Strain Epidemic cards and a couple of Event Cards as well. I haven't yet tried the lab component so I can't comment on that.

Excellent!!! A++++

This was a Gift request .. well recieved i believe, and played over Christmas.Had it sent to recipient address It arrived on time with no hassles.