Pandemic - Rapid Response

I had a chance to try this game out before release, and really enjoyed it. From opening the box to game play is not much time at all and the always helpful Rodney smith has a watch it played video out already that my group used to learn the rules. This game gives you the stress of pandemic in a much smaller and fast paced game. One critique I would have is that we stopped using the sand timer and started using our phones as the timer as no one was paying any attention to the timer in our group as we were worried about speed. This is a very minor thing and can be overcome with any two minute timer. I recommend some sort of thematic alarm to make things even more tense. The game was simple and also added extra elements to make things tougher so this game would easily ... MoreI had a chance to try this game out before release, and really enjoyed it. From opening the box to game play is not much time at all and the always helpful Rodney smith has a watch it played video out already that my group used to learn the rules. This game gives you the stress of pandemic in a much smaller and fast paced game. One critique I would have is that we stopped using the sand timer and started using our phones as the timer as no one was paying any attention to the timer in our group as we were worried about speed. This is a very minor thing and can be overcome with any two minute timer. I recommend some sort of thematic alarm to make things even more tense. The game was simple and also added extra elements to make things tougher so this game would easily scale for a group of serious gamers as well as people new to gaming. This seems like it would be a good gateway game to a time based mechanic as it adds an extra element without adding too much difficulty. Overall very enjoyable game, and would definitely play it again if I had the chance.

I was able to play an early copy of this game; and true to the Pandemic name, your goal is to save the world, but make the wrong moves and you could end up in complete annihilation.The fast paced rounds require your team to be in constant motion, making the right decisions on the fly, and doesn't leave much time for deliberation. I appreciate that this leaves little opportunity for 1 or 2 players to dictate the rounds; everyone has their own voice and is making their own decisions. Which means your team has to be in sync if you want to save the world!On the downside, given the time limitations, it's difficult to get a win on your first time playing. However, the game play is simple and can be quickly picked up; soon enough you will be saving the world with no ... MoreI was able to play an early copy of this game; and true to the Pandemic name, your goal is to save the world, but make the wrong moves and you could end up in complete annihilation.The fast paced rounds require your team to be in constant motion, making the right decisions on the fly, and doesn't leave much time for deliberation. I appreciate that this leaves little opportunity for 1 or 2 players to dictate the rounds; everyone has their own voice and is making their own decisions. Which means your team has to be in sync if you want to save the world!On the downside, given the time limitations, it's difficult to get a win on your first time playing. However, the game play is simple and can be quickly picked up; soon enough you will be saving the world with no trouble.The game does offer a difficulty scaling that adds more city cards to rescue. I feel this only increases the play time; once your team has had enough practice, there's no real strategic difference in these difficulty levels. There is also another option to increase difficulty with the crisis cards, and I like the challenges these cards can introduce. These cards do have an affect on your strategy and can change plans rapidly, perhaps you could increase the number of crisis cards introduced each round to further increase the difficulty.The components are well made, nothing feels flimsy or brittle. The dice and pawns are made with a cool glimmer-y effect. The plane comes in 2 pieces, and doesn't feel like it's very secure when put together, I can imagine this falling apart in the middle of a game after a while. One time I feel is lacking is the timer, it's difficult to keep an eye on the sand-timer in the middle of saving the world. A simple, themed electronic timer would have been far better.Overall I enjoy the game, it's a fast-paced cooperative game with the Pandemic theme. Though, once you've reached a certain level of skill, the included difficulty scale doesn't seem to keep up.

I managed to get an advance copy of Pandemic Rapid Response. Pandemic is one of my favorite games of all time. So when I heard there was a new dice version of the game I was excited, especially because it's made by one of the few people that have made me like real time rolling, Kane Klenko, also known for Fuse.At first glance, the components are top notch for it's price range. Game plays in a similar fashion to Pandemic, except that you're all contained in a plane doing your actions specific to your location in the plane. You roll your dice, and in Yahtzee fashion, play your dice and reroll. Turn by turn, everyone does this until you get enough supplies to drop cargo. However, your plane might create too much waste during the process and end up crashing from being ... MoreI managed to get an advance copy of Pandemic Rapid Response. Pandemic is one of my favorite games of all time. So when I heard there was a new dice version of the game I was excited, especially because it's made by one of the few people that have made me like real time rolling, Kane Klenko, also known for Fuse.At first glance, the components are top notch for it's price range. Game plays in a similar fashion to Pandemic, except that you're all contained in a plane doing your actions specific to your location in the plane. You roll your dice, and in Yahtzee fashion, play your dice and reroll. Turn by turn, everyone does this until you get enough supplies to drop cargo. However, your plane might create too much waste during the process and end up crashing from being over cumbered if you're not careful.It all seems pretty straightforward, except everything is done with a 2 minute timer. Once timer runs out, more locations pop, and, when you're ready to add them, crises that act like Epidemics.But does it feel like Pandemic? It does feel like a 20 minute Pandemic you can use as a filler easily. Though, if you don't play with the Crisis card deck, I it feels like it starts ramped up and loses steam, feeling like you have everything under control.All in all, a good 20 minute version of Pandemic. Doubt it'll replace the original, but it's good whatsoever. I'd give it a 4 out of 5.

Fast-paced cooperative game.

Pandemic Rapid Response continues the unique, cooperative gameplay of the original Pandemic board game. But the dice and timer shave time from the game by urging fast-paced decision making rather than the long deliberation that often characterized our family when playing the original. It takes a couple practice runs to remember the mechanics of gameplay as the pressure applied by the timer discouraged us from wasting precious time to consult the rule book during our first couple attempts at the game. We ended each of those games with the realization that we actually hadn't successfully saved the world, because we had neglected this or that rule of gameplay. Sorry world for your plunge into the unchecked spread of disease caused by our ignorance, but we had fun all ... MorePandemic Rapid Response continues the unique, cooperative gameplay of the original Pandemic board game. But the dice and timer shave time from the game by urging fast-paced decision making rather than the long deliberation that often characterized our family when playing the original. It takes a couple practice runs to remember the mechanics of gameplay as the pressure applied by the timer discouraged us from wasting precious time to consult the rule book during our first couple attempts at the game. We ended each of those games with the realization that we actually hadn't successfully saved the world, because we had neglected this or that rule of gameplay. Sorry world for your plunge into the unchecked spread of disease caused by our ignorance, but we had fun all the same. And, we're looking forward to playing again, when we will not only have fun, but follow all the rules of the game and actually save the world from disaster.

Good game for older kids/adults 13+ who like a teamwork game.

I bought this game during COVID 19 shutdown. My family likes to play Risk and Monopoly. It looked similar to Risk. This is actually a cooperative teamwork game. Up to 4 players only, each takes on a scientist role with a special power. You need to trade country cards to get 5 of the same color to "cure" that color infection. There are 4 colored infections across the globe multiplying. This game has a LOT of rules. So someone has to be very good at figuring out the instructions. It has more rules than RISK. I would not recommend this for players less than 13. My 13 year old son is smart and LOVED the game and figured out the rules, and helped me learn it. LOL. My 11 year old son also enjoyed it and listened to his big brother figure out all the rules. The first two ... MoreI bought this game during COVID 19 shutdown. My family likes to play Risk and Monopoly. It looked similar to Risk. This is actually a cooperative teamwork game. Up to 4 players only, each takes on a scientist role with a special power. You need to trade country cards to get 5 of the same color to "cure" that color infection. There are 4 colored infections across the globe multiplying. This game has a LOT of rules. So someone has to be very good at figuring out the instructions. It has more rules than RISK. I would not recommend this for players less than 13. My 13 year old son is smart and LOVED the game and figured out the rules, and helped me learn it. LOL. My 11 year old son also enjoyed it and listened to his big brother figure out all the rules. The first two times playing we "lost" to the infections. The boys demanded to play again to beat the infection. The third game was a charm and we won and "cured" the world.

Good game with some flaws. Feels like it needs an expansion after only a couple of games.

Good game, very entertaining, has decent replay value. Co-op is definetly it's strongest suit. Still, it's not hard to figure out the best strategies and the best roles after only a couple of games. When you up the difficulty, epidemics keep appearing more often, meaning you basically only get to play the first 10-15 cities you draw over and over, which can get very annoying. Also the card trading mechanic if you don't get the role who specializes in it, can be so time consuming and tedious that it's not even worth it. That's why it gets 4 stars.

Must have on your game shelf

This is one our favorite new family games. If you like luck and strategy this is the game for you! It is a quick game which you have to work together to save the world. While you are at the mercy of the dice on what you can do you also have to work with your team to communicate what you are doing in order to gather the materials to save the world. This is a quick paced fun game.The game comes with all the pieces you need (make sure to keep a baggie nearby because the pieces are small) to save the world. You are given a job which can be an asset to your team on how you will help save everyone from the pandemic. By rolling dice and working as a team you are creating to necessary equipment and supplies for each country while trying to beat the clock. For families ... MoreThis is one our favorite new family games. If you like luck and strategy this is the game for you! It is a quick game which you have to work together to save the world. While you are at the mercy of the dice on what you can do you also have to work with your team to communicate what you are doing in order to gather the materials to save the world. This is a quick paced fun game.The game comes with all the pieces you need (make sure to keep a baggie nearby because the pieces are small) to save the world. You are given a job which can be an asset to your team on how you will help save everyone from the pandemic. By rolling dice and working as a team you are creating to necessary equipment and supplies for each country while trying to beat the clock. For families stuck together during this time, this is a great way to work on communicating while having fun.A high quality cooperative game.

Pandemic with a twist!

I was fortunate enough to play a review copy of the game and I had a blast with it! Like other varieties of Pandemic, this is a cooperative game that will require strong teamwork in order to meet your objective. But unlike other Pandemic games where you and your teammates can play at a slower pace to ensure the formation of a sound strategy, Pandemic Rapid Response is played at a frenzied pace. When the game starts you will have a couple cities around the world that need a certain type and amount of supplies, and every 2 minutes a new city is added. This game requires a great deal of thinking on your feet and planning ahead, because as soon as it's your turn you'll need to do your actions as quickly as possible. I've played a decent amount of board games over the ... MoreI was fortunate enough to play a review copy of the game and I had a blast with it! Like other varieties of Pandemic, this is a cooperative game that will require strong teamwork in order to meet your objective. But unlike other Pandemic games where you and your teammates can play at a slower pace to ensure the formation of a sound strategy, Pandemic Rapid Response is played at a frenzied pace. When the game starts you will have a couple cities around the world that need a certain type and amount of supplies, and every 2 minutes a new city is added. This game requires a great deal of thinking on your feet and planning ahead, because as soon as it's your turn you'll need to do your actions as quickly as possible. I've played a decent amount of board games over the years, but I can't recall one that got my heart racing as much as this one did. My friends and I had a blast with it, I'd recommend it to anybody.

Save the world with dice!!! Also, you only have 2 minutes...

I've played this game about a dozen times over the weekend and plan to play it much more. The pieces, cards, dice and board are all very good quality, as far as plastic and paper goes but the best part about it is --- it's just a really fun game. There are a couple a downsides. The timed nature of the game doesn't lend itself well to jumping right into the game as a new player. The instructions are clear and the game is not over-complicated but trying to keep track of the few play rules while racing against the clock can be frustrating at first. The second is the timer, I have a kitchen timer with a buzzer that I started using after the first game. Once the dice get rolling the game draws you in so no one is watching the hourglass, and when someone does finally ... MoreI've played this game about a dozen times over the weekend and plan to play it much more. The pieces, cards, dice and board are all very good quality, as far as plastic and paper goes but the best part about it is --- it's just a really fun game. There are a couple a downsides. The timed nature of the game doesn't lend itself well to jumping right into the game as a new player. The instructions are clear and the game is not over-complicated but trying to keep track of the few play rules while racing against the clock can be frustrating at first. The second is the timer, I have a kitchen timer with a buzzer that I started using after the first game. Once the dice get rolling the game draws you in so no one is watching the hourglass, and when someone does finally notice the sand has run out... it could have been 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 20 minutes - who knows.

Timed collaboration doesn't work

Artwork and game pieces are excellent and the theme is great, however, a timed collaborative game is very stressful and will likely not be played again unless we can "house rule" the timer out of the game. You have no time to collab which is one of the important parts of the game. Possible mods include everytime the timer expires moving the recycle marker 2 spaces instead of removing a token.