Plague Inc.

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 20,000 reviews
  • monetization
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Plague Inc. Game Cover
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"Plague Inc." is a strategic simulation game where you create and evolve a pathogen to infect and ultimately wipe out humanity. With over a billion games played and praised for its realism, it has even been used as a teaching tool at the CDC. Your goal is to outsmart global defenses and bring about the end of human history through disease, requiring tactical decision-making and adaptability.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
  • Windows Phone
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 20,000 reviews
gameplay333 positive mentions
monetization878 negative mentions
  • monetization1,306 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the prevalence of ads and in-app purchases. While some users find the ads to be non-intrusive and the in-app purchases reasonable, others feel that the game has shifted towards a cash grab model, locking essential features behind paywalls and introducing ads even for previously paid content. Overall, the sentiment suggests a desire for a more balanced approach, with some players advocating for a one-time purchase model instead of ongoing microtransactions.

    • “And the in-app purchases are 100% worth it.”
    • “The in-app purchases are cheap and always worth the money, and you can be happy knowing you're supporting great game developers.”
    • “Monetization is done very moderately and doesn't impact gameplay in too extreme a fashion.”
    • “It's pretentious and a cash grab now.”
    • “This used to be a fun game about strategy, now it's an unplayable cash grab.”
    • “The fact they decided to put ads into a game I've already paid for, by adding them in a later patch, is absolutely scummy.”
  • gameplay797 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and strategic depth, offering a unique experience that challenges players to think critically about disease spread. However, many users express frustration over the significant amount of content locked behind paywalls, which limits the overall experience for free players. Additionally, issues such as crashes, bugs, and slow progression detract from the enjoyment, leading to mixed reviews despite the solid core gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is fun and addicting yet tricky and requires some strategy.”
    • “The variety in gameplay styles and the gradual yet satisfying gameplay loop of overtaking the world with a plague is a great concept.”
    • “Great gameplay, overall a good experience but the unlock system doesn't work.”
    • “The gameplay is absolutely ruined by having everything be a purchasable (with real money) upgrade.”
    • “Half of the gameplay is locked behind a premium, no adding stuff you unlocked (like Darwinism, which makes your plague mutate more often), only 2 special scenarios, no mega brutal difficulty, always close to freezing up, normal difficulty is hard, and if you even delete and reinstall the app you lose everything you unlocked.”
    • “Loved the game, but it kept crashing in the middle of gameplay and losing all progress.”
  • graphics463 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the gameplay is engaging, the visuals are often outdated or lacking in detail compared to modern standards. Some users appreciate the graphics for their age and the strategic nature of the game, while others express a strong desire for a graphical overhaul to match the quality of the PC version. Overall, the consensus suggests that improvements in graphics could enhance the gaming experience significantly.

    • “The graphics are amazing.”
    • “This is an outstandingly made game with solid graphics and intense strategy.”
    • “In all seriousness though, this game is absolutely amazing; easy to pick up, great graphics, and even graphs that even I can understand.”
    • “Today with the outdated graphics and micro-transactions it is not fun.”
    • “Aside from that the menus and visuals are incredibly ugly and straight out of 2011, this game seriously needs a visual overhaul.”
    • “The graphics are very limited, and in my opinion, ugly.”
  • music447 mentions

    The music in the game is often praised for its surreal and ambient qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. However, many users report significant issues with the music not playing at all or cutting out after a short period, which detracts from their enjoyment. While some find the soundtrack fitting and immersive, others express frustration over persistent bugs that prevent the music from functioning properly, leading to a less engaging experience.

    • “The music is surreal and ambient in the best of ways, the challenges are actually challenging and not just complete BS like most games, and the learning value of this is extremely high.”
    • “The music is perfect.”
    • “Seeing the human x-ray becoming a monster is frankly awesome... the music playing, especially in the undead and apes scenarios, is marvelous.”
    • “The only con is that the music is failing, even after uninstalling and reinstalling the app, it stops after a while to never play again, and strangely the sound effects, or just sound in the settings menu, works fine.”
    • “I love this game but there is one problem for me that is when you play like 1 or two games the music goes away and is really frustrating because I have music turned on but I can't hear it.”
    • “The game is amazing but when I played it for the second time, the music didn't play, even when I turned it on in settings.”
  • stability227 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that disrupt gameplay. Issues such as loss of progress, unresponsive interfaces, and game-breaking bugs have rendered the game nearly unplayable for some. While a few players have experienced minimal problems, the overwhelming consensus is that the game requires urgent fixes to address its numerous stability issues.

    • “Well made, bug free, and easy to play right out of the gate.”
    • “Fun little strategy game, no glitches at all for me.”
    • “It runs great, no problem.”
    • “The game is broken; as soon as you start to kill, the game glitches and makes everyone who is infected instantly cured even if the cure is nowhere near complete.”
    • “Currently crashes and freezes too often to be playable.”
    • “It never saves my progress; also, the amount of things you have to pay for is insane. This game used to be good 2 years ago, but the new updates messed it up... I loved this game a year ago, but not anymore... I don't recommend getting this game unless you're willing to pay and put up with all the glitches and bugs.”
  • humor213 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty news headlines and the ability to name diseases in absurd and funny ways, such as "fortnite" or "bedwetting." Many reviews highlight the game's dark yet entertaining sense of humor, particularly in its satirical take on global events and reactions to pandemics. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the gameplay, making it both engaging and amusing for those with a morbid sense of humor.

    • “The news blurbs are hilarious, the gameplay is fun and balanced.”
    • “It's funny news lines give me a good laugh sometimes 😂 the hyper realistic model of the world and the pathogen is immaculate.”
    • “Very strategic with a lot of humor of using funny names in it to name your disease like this one headline said 'my ass had infected the whole world' makes it very funny and entertaining.”
    • “There are still way too many unfunny and unnecessary in-game popups.”
    • “It starts off well, then suddenly becomes hard, which is not funny. The fungus part is impossible to complete. I hope you adjust the level of difficulty. For now, I'm quitting... without premium, don't play.”
  • replayability103 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its endless replay value due to various difficulty levels, pathogen types, and gameplay modes. However, some users express frustration over the paywall restricting access to certain content, which diminishes the overall replay experience. Overall, while the game offers significant replay potential, especially for those willing to invest in additional features, it can feel repetitive without the premium options.

    • “Tis a rarity to stumble across a game of this caliber that still retains a simplicity that is easy to pick up, yet promises replayability on harder difficulties and new gameplay modes that should inspire countless hours of what games are intended for: pure, unadulterated fun.”
    • “Played it on and off for years and I keep coming back since the game offers such high replayability... especially with the added benefit of creating your own mutations in the paid version.”
    • “Fun game with realistic scenarios, interesting different ways of playing, and a lot of replay value!”
    • “Very low replay value unless you pay to have other pathogen classes.”
    • “Unlike other games, there is zero replay value unless you pay.”
    • “Once you beat it with all six disease types, it doesn't hold much replayability even across other difficulty levels.”
  • story81 mentions

    The game's story is often described as weak and lacking depth, with many players expressing a desire for more engaging narratives and varied missions. While the concept of spreading a virus or finding a cure is intriguing, the repetitive gameplay and limited storyline can lead to boredom over time. Some players appreciate the strategic elements and the potential for imaginative storytelling, particularly with expansions, but overall, the narrative aspect could benefit from significant enhancements to maintain interest.

    • “I ended up uninstalling it in a panic (because I thought the game was really a plot to learn about ideal scenario viruses.) It was scary, thrilling, and I loved playing it.”
    • “It is well worth the money not only for the base game but most definitely for the expansions that allow your imagination to tell a story each time you play.”
    • “The plot is very impressive and the gameplay is extremely engaging.”
    • “If you mean playing them made by the community, well it's the same thing, the only thing different being the story, nothing else. You keep repeating the process over and over again, and when you're out of DNA in almost any playthrough, you're done.”
    • “A 50/50 just okay game, good I get to destroy the bloody USA, it's fun... then it gets boring real fast, no real game story nor replay value.”
    • “Fun game gets a bit boring after a while, they need new storylines to keep it interesting, maybe something like terraforming a new planet.”
  • optimization29 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on various devices, there are significant issues with compatibility on larger screens and specific phone models, such as the Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Fold 6. Users express a desire for better optimization to reduce storage space usage and improve gameplay experience, particularly for those with newer aspect ratios. Despite these concerns, the core gameplay remains enjoyable for many, with regular updates contributing to its longevity.

    • “Amazing, runs smoothly.”
    • “Game runs smoothly every time.”
    • “Fun to play, and payments are not critical to play the game; ads don't fill the screen, and I have a Moto E, it runs smoothly.”
    • “A good game at its core for sure, but plagued by very poor mobile optimization.”
    • “Games okay but the game performance is stupid.”
    • “Needs more optimization on Android.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions, with some players feeling deeply affected by the themes of death and disease, while others find it enjoyable and even heartwarming. Those who are more sensitive or emotional may struggle with the game's content, suggesting it may not be suitable for them. Overall, the game can evoke strong feelings, ranging from sadness to a sense of freedom, depending on the player's emotional resilience.

    • “I am feeling bad about deaths and such things because I am an emotional person.”
    • “This made me cry.”
    • “Ah, what a heartwarming game~”
  • grinding21 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially in the free version, which often requires additional purchases to unlock features and plagues. While some enjoy the challenge and strategic elements, many express frustration over the slow progression and constant prompts for in-game purchases, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is seen as fun but can quickly become repetitive and boring without spending money.

    • “The game is tedious without it.”
    • “Having to wait for so long to just get a couple of DNA is very tedious.”
    • “Only problem is how much grinding it takes to unlock everything.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a strong sense of realism and tension, effectively immersing players in scenarios that challenge their leadership and decision-making skills in the face of a disease outbreak. Many players appreciate the unique and haunting ambiance, which is enhanced by the music, although some have noted issues with its execution. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's emotional impact, making it both engaging and thought-provoking.

    • “And yet the game remains atmospheric, unique and a scary reminder of what could truly become of our population.”
    • “Really good game concept and execution; great port to mobile. I've always been on edge every time I play this; it always seems a little too real to me, especially since lockdown. The music adds to it, so for that reason, I'm rating it 4 stars for essentially having too good of an atmosphere that makes me anxious. Great game!”
    • “The music in the game doesn't work, please, fix it, it destroys the whole atmosphere.”
    • “Love the music and atmosphere the game has along with the realistic challenges it gives you.”
    • “It has an atmosphere of realism and you have power against humanity or save humanity and that has to do with a disease.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
3-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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