Stop the Germs!

In Stop the Germs, two players assume the roles of two different types of germs, represented on circular tiles pieces. The goal is to grow your own germ colony while preventing your opponents from surpassing your own. Each germ tile displays a single germ on one side, but if the player chooses, this germ can be flipped over to reveal that the germs have multiplied into a higher number (2 through 6). The more germs you have, the more points you have and getting a larger number of points wins you the game. There are also special cards that can be played that have the ability to hinder your opponent’s progress or advance your own, depending on which one is used.

Since the game is tile based, it can be played on any flat surface. Everything is pretty small and even when all the tiles have been placed; it takes up a little amount of space. The circular tiles are placed connecting to other tiles at any two or more points. This creates a very connected space to play, although cards never overlap.

Players are each given 7 double sided germ tiles and three special tiles that have a different attacks or defenses on either side; so even though only 3 specials can be played in a game, the player has a total of six possible ones to choose from. Some examples include, the “Ick” tile, which adds 2 points for every germ tile of the same color adjacent to it; and the “Antibody” tile, which can be placed against you opponent’s tiles to reduce the number of germs in them. All of the germ tiles have a single germ on one side and multiple germs on the back, indicating the number of germs that the single germs can multiply into when the player chooses to flip the tile.

Players are only allowed to take a certain amount of actions during each consecutive turn. Although the specific actions amount and order vary depending on the type of game you play (there are 2 different types). All of them basically involve the player adding a germ to the tile space and flipping or moving tiles you already placed around to more strategic places. Enclosing tiles in 5 or more other tiles prevent the inner tile from having the ability to move around the board space, although it can still be flipped. Players can not flip the tiles over or move them during the same turn that they are placed on the board. This is interesting because you do not really know the number of germs you placed until the following turn when you can finally reveal it by flipping the tile over.

A very interesting thing that you quickly learn about the game is it not always in your best interest to gain the most points possible, as quickly as possible. For example flipping a germ tile will multiply the number of germs you have, but if it is revealed that it is a high number of germs, that tile will probably become a target for your opponents special attacks. Another thing you learn is that creating tight spaces leaves less space open for your opponent to attack a great number of germs. Leaving a pocket open in your germ colony could allow the payer to place a special attacking tile in there that will effect all your tiles touching it. The same can be said for the opposite situation, if your opponent has a pocket where they can slip a special tile that wis beneficial, it will be touching a high number of tiles, therefore maximizing the effect of the special has on them. The game involves pretty careful observation of both your own actions, as well as your opponent's.

There is very little role of chance in this game. Choosing who goes first involves flipping one of two tiles over, a 50/50 chance for each player. The only other chance comes from the amount of germs your single germ can multiply into, since all tiles have to be flipped over (single side up), you will not know how many germs you have until the tiles have already been placed onto the space. Beyond that, the rest of the game involves a good amount of gaming skills. It is a very solid game in almost every aspect, although it's definitely not the most exciting game I have ever played. The presentation of the game is probably the aspect that really sets it apart the most. The art is simplistic but very nice, it is colorful and the rules are very clearly written out (there is even a 2 cards that tell the rules for each payer, so they don’t have to constantly glance back at the rule page while playing). The game is even designed to fit into an empty pill container if you have one.