🦠 Virus! + Virus! 2: Evolution – Small Deck, Big Epidemic
⭐5/10
Players: 2–6
Playtime: ~15–20 min
Difficulty: Light
Game type: Card / Party / Negative Interaction
🦠 Virus! + Virus! 2: Evolution – Small Deck, Big Epidemic
Virus! is a fast, light, and delightfully nasty card game that grabs you from the first round. Rules can be explained in under a minute, and the constant sabotage and backstabbing spark plenty of laughter at the table.
To me, it feels like a “lighter” version of Unstable Unicorns — same vibe of chaos and messing with each other, but less strategic depth.
🎯 Objective
Be the first to build a healthy body with four different organs — intact, virus-free, and protected from enemy attacks.
🃏 How a turn works
On your turn, you:
Take one action — play an organ, infect an opponent with a virus, use a vaccine, swap cards, or play a special action.
Then draw cards until you have three in hand again.
The game is fast and chaotic — a single virus can ruin your plans in seconds.
🧩 Why I like it
Simple, quick, and full of nasty twists.
Great for parties — tons of interaction.
No two rounds feel the same, because your hand changes constantly.
🏆 How to win at Virus!
Spread out your organs — don’t put all your hopes in one place.
Use vaccines like shields — protect the organs you need to win.
Don’t hoard viruses — play them immediately to slow others down.
Target players close to victory — or the game will end before you’re ready.
🧬 Virus! 2: Evolution – More Chaos, More Mayhem
🧬 Virus! 2: Evolution – More Chaos, More Mayhem
The Evolution expansion cranks things up with fresh chaos:
Mutated organs – multicolor organs that can count as any type.
New viruses & vaccines – some hit multiple organs at once.
Super actions – powerful effects that can flip the game in seconds.
How it plays:
The core rules stay the same — first to four healthy organs wins. But new cards add unpredictability: mutations speed you up but paint a target on you, new viruses hurt more, and super actions bring ruthless swings.
🏆 How to win at Virus! 2
Save mutations for the endgame — they’re easier to protect.
Guard multicolor organs — they’re powerful, but everyone will target them.
Stay flexible — plans fall apart even faster in this version.
⚖️ Base game or expansion?
Base only – best for beginners or if you want a simpler, more predictable experience.
Base + expansion – perfect if you know Virus! inside out and crave more chaos, more attacks, and bigger swings.
☕ Impressions
Virus! is a pocket-sized hit: quick, funny, and full of nasty interaction. Virus! 2 is like pouring gasoline on the fire — more chaos, more laughter, more “WTF just happened?!” moments. It’s a great icebreaker and an energetic filler.
🎯 Rating: 5/10 – Because at the end of the day, the game is built on randomness and sabotage. We personally love that unpredictable chaos, but some players may find it frustrating, since there’s little room for long-term strategy or progression. In Unstable Unicorns, every card is a mini puzzle — you have to read, plan, and scheme. In Virus! it’s simpler: less reading, less planning, more direct action. That gives it speed and lightness, but sometimes feels a bit shallow.
That said, if I had to choose, I’d always pick Unstable Unicorns — they offer more depth and satisfying combos. Still, it’s fun to come back to this viral, chaotic madness every now and then.
