Plague Inc. Evolved -- Let's Infect the World!

Has anyone played this interesting strategy game that came out a couple of years backs? I only recently discovered it, and oddly enough for me, since I don't play strategy/simulation games much, I became addicted to it.

The scope of the game is straightforward: infect the world first, and destroy humanity through deadly symptoms later by spreading a contagious disease. While this thematic could make some grimace in disapproval, playing the game could be sadistically fun, and actually makes you wonder about the risks of contagion on a large scale humanity has always faced, and still does.

At first, you start with a "simple" bacteria, and as you win games you evolve and can unlock other pathogens (virus, nano-virus, parasite, biologic weapon, and even one that first infect people and turned them into zombies, which then you use to wipe the rest of humanity). The most rewarding and fun to play is Planet of the Apes mode: you first infect apes that man uses for experimentation. The "infection" trigger apes's intellect growth while the pathogen also infects humans. You keep growing and moving the colonies, spreading the infection, and trying to keep symptoms low, so man doesn't rush to find a cure (they could wipe out the infection rather quick once they start researching for it). In the end, the slow planning behind the curtains, and finding means to spread the infecting agent, becomes a fight to the death between two races on a global scale: apes try to establish colonies in various countries, man sends drone to wipe them out, as you move them before drones strike, and send apes to destroy the laboratories where they research a cure.

Maybe, you might want to give it a try. The game is available for PC, Mac, iOS and Android -- in fact, I discovered and first played it on my phone, until I decided to enjoy the eye-candy full-screen experience of the PC version. I have grown so fond of it that I now and then I also play it on my Mac at work... but sshhhh, don't let world know

I love playing the game, but I can't justify the price tag on Steam. I'd rather just settle for the mobile version.

I understand and agree, in fact I discovered first the mobile version. I played it a bit and realized that in order to win the game with certain pathogens, you needed to unlock genes codes (for those not familiar with the game, they are basically upgrades that allow customize your disease and make it more powerful), which can be done by beating the game on brutal for all diseases. I wasn't really up to the task of possibly long and focused strategic battles on the phone's small screen, so I waited for it to be on sale on Steam, and bought it. I didn't regret it; playing it on a wide screen really is rewarding

I played it first on the mobile. Bought the upgraded version. Once I noticed it was available on steam, I purchased it on steam as well.
I liked the idea. The game is very hard once you first start. At least I thought it was xD

Jordan said:

The game is very hard once you first start. At least I thought it was xD

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Yes, I thought the same when I first played it. Not knowing what strategy would be best, and unfamiliar with the games mechanics, I randomly applied symptoms unaware I doomed my dear pathogen to meet its end sooner than later. Now, I beat the all the diseases on Normal, and a couple on Brutal, although a few are still challenging on the hardest level, but considering I started playing the game a week ago, I know I've got more room for improvement

It's a pretty fun game but I got bored of it pretty fast for some reason.

I can understand that. In the case of several pathogens, after you start planning your path toward transmitting your disease effectively, it's more like watching the painting dry, and this game it's one that requires some patience. I still find it fun for now. I started beating all pathogens on brutal, which takes some thinking and careful playing. Also, I find both Simian Flu (apes) and Necroa Virus (zombie) to be the most "action-based" and fun to play

I assume that you played it on your phone? Try the PC/Mac version on Mega Brutal - difficulty level that's not available for mobile - and you'll see how challenging that can be

Toxique said:

It's a pretty fun game but I got bored of it pretty fast for some reason.

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I got bored of it eventually too. I really didnt have time to just wait around waiting for the virus to spread xD

Jordan said:

I got bored of it eventually too. I really didnt have time to just wait around waiting for the virus to spread xD

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Been a while since I played it so I might not be remembering this correctly, but wasn't there a fast forward option?

I remember first playing on the mobile. I have always wondered why a good game like that didn't have a Pc or console version, so I'm very glad to see they are doing well.

Nemesysbr said:

I remember first playing on the mobile. I have always wondered why a good game like that didn't have a Pc or console version, so I'm very glad to see they are doing well.

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I was surprised to see a PC version as well, but $15 for it? I think I'll pass :/

I actually played this game for a good while. 'Played' because I no longer have it installed on my phone.
It's not that it's a bad game, it's just that the developers are SO money hungry. It's like you have to buy everything. You get one (or two? I forgot) basic viruses for free, sure, but there are maybe six other viruses that are locked. And if I remember correctly most of the game modes are locked as well. They're literally one step away from pulling the game and releasing a 'Lite' version of the game where you can only play for a limited amount of time. I'm sorry, but I'm not here for that. I get wanting to make money and all, but this is too much. They could've at least let us buy some viruses or game modes with an in-game currency.

Honeymoon said:

I actually played this game for a good while. 'Played' because I no longer have it installed on my phone.
It's not that it's a bad game, it's just that the developers are SO money hungry. It's like you have to buy everything. You get one (or two? I forgot) basic viruses for free, sure, but there are maybe six other viruses that are locked. And if I remember correctly most of the game modes are locked as well. They're literally one step away from pulling the game and releasing a 'Lite' version of the game where you can only play for a limited amount of time. I'm sorry, but I'm not here for that. I get wanting to make money and all, but this is too much. They could've at least let us buy some viruses or game modes with an in-game currency.

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It really is unfortunate, but that's the "freemium" format most games on mobile offer. I don't think the problem was that the devs were hungry, I think it's because the game was just too ambitious for mobile in the first place, and being a one-time pay version would probably not net them as good a profit. That's the main reason I seldomly play anything on mobile, It's a dirty platform all-around. Some games manage to keep things mostly free, but It always leave a hole on the developers's pockets to not just completely submit to the freemium model.

I love this game! I've never thought of playing it on my computer. I downloaded it on my phone a few years ago. I have beat the game on Normal a few times, but I can't seem to do it consistently. The only strategy I have come up with is to start the disease on Iceland so that they do not close their borders before it has a chance to spread. It is also smart to start it in a big city where it will spread through airplanes and other means of travel.

Nemesysbr said:

It really is unfortunate, but that's the "freemium" format most games on mobile offer. I don't think the problem was that the devs were hungry, I think it's because the game was just too ambitious for mobile in the first place, and being a one-time pay version would probably not net them as good a profit. That's the main reason I seldomly play anything on mobile, It's a dirty platform all-around. Some games manage to keep things mostly free, but It always leave a hole on the developers's pockets to not just completely submit to the freemium model.

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I suppose they're not exactly money hungry, but I still think they're taking this 'freemium' thing a little bit too far. Perhaps I'm just too used to the games that allows the majority of their content be purchased through a virtual currency that you can earn by playing the game itself, which you mentioned.

One of the things that I hate the most about games like Plague Inc. though, is that the majority of them seem to enjoy putting up a dishonest, deceiving front. I've noticed that many of them have descriptions on the Play Store that at least slightly implies that the game is nearly completely free (like most games that don't submit themselves to the freemium model entirely). It makes the game more appealing to people, obviously, but it also feels like a trap.

I'm probably just too whiny though.

Cerberus said:

I understand and agree, in fact I discovered first the mobile version. I played it a bit and realized that in order to win the game with certain pathogens, you needed to unlock genes codes (for those not familiar with the game, they are basically upgrades that allow customize your disease and make it more powerful), which can be done by beating the game on brutal for all diseases. I wasn't really up to the task of possibly long and focused strategic battles on the phone's small screen, so I waited for it to be on sale on Steam, and bought it. I didn't regret it; playing it on a wide screen really is rewarding

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I have the same feelings. I played Plague Inc when it was still a free flash game at miniclip.com. I loved the strategic gameplay and the ability to customize the perfect virus that would wipe out humanity (having silly names for your virus was a plus, too). When I found it on Google Play, I was thrilled to be able to play on the go. Sadly, I didn't like the new gene unlocks. I enjoyed the customization, but hated that some of the essential genes needed to beat brutal mode were hard to obtain unless you paid. I eventually bought the game regardless and still play to this day. The steam price is dissuading me from purchasing it for the PC, but widescreen does sound better than a cellphone screen.

I completely exhausted this game on my phone when the massive update and PC version then came out. I thought it was crazy expensive on Steam, but my wife got it for me one day, and it's really cool to play on PC, definitely different from the mobile experience. Plus, starting from zero was really fresh, it's a good game to go through again. My only issue is that the strategies for most pathogens are quite similar in order to win, so there's not a bunch of different gameplay to be had in the core of the game... thankfully the updates have somewhat addressed that issue.
In conclusion, it's a great game on PC if you pick it up on a sale... or on your phone.

Oh good old plague inc. I was so addicted to it on my android phone a few years back. It was so engaging and intense despite being nothing but a simulation. It makes you feel like God lol. But I never got past the hard difficulty. I unlocked the virus scenario after beating the game with the bacteria, but now I'm lost and I just don't know how to win this game anymore, viruses are so unpredictable.

Also I gotta love the news haha. It's always hilarious and/or informative so I always keep an eye on that top bar on the screen. I think I might get this game on Steam. I wanna see how different the PC version is.

I've played it on iOS and it's amazing! One time I found this neat trick if your infection is decent and your lethality is incredible. The moment someone gets infected across the border, they die immediately, giving you one point. And this repeats multiple times such that you are basically farming points.

I enjoyed this game as an iOS time waster but can't imagine using it on a PC. Not just because of the price tag, but because the play rate is too quick. Replay value is minimal with this game, in my opinion. I can't imagine how much more in depth they could work this game to make the concept work for the PC structure.