After the Virus

FryxGames, Maldito Games, Reflexshop · Board game · 2017
1–3 · best 1 Solo 30–90 min Weight 2.3/5
8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 17.97
8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Fans of cooperative play and zombie themes will love this post‑apocalyptic deck builder.

Highlights
  • Engaging deck construction
  • Strategic hand management
  • Escalating zombie challenges
  • Solo mode fun
Keep in mind
  • Requires constant focus
  • Variable playtime
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

After the virus spreads through the city, survivors must band together to face hordas of zombies and complete missions ranging from simple rescues to saving the entire community. After The Virus places you and up to two friends in a post‑apocalyptic setting where every decision counts. It’s a cooperative deck‑builder: you build a deck of action, gear, and event cards, and try to keep the group alive while the zombie threat grows each round.

The game’s highlight is the blend of deck‑building with hand‑management. While the deck gets clogged with zombies, you must search the area deck for weapons and items that actually help. Some cards can be added to your deck, others stay in the play area, and there are one‑use items that require perfect timing. This creates a game rhythm that mixes long‑term strategy with quick survival decisions.

The 15 missions are arranged into a narrative that unfolds when played in sequence, but don’t be fooled into thinking each mission is easy. Zombies appear in increasing numbers, forcing you to plan your deck expansion before being overwhelmed. The solo mode also works, letting a single player test their skills against the system.

In terms of components, the game offers a set of well‑illustrated cards, an area deck, zombie tokens, and a compact rulebook. The artwork has a dark style that fits the theme, and the card layout makes quick reading easy during action. If you enjoy cooperative games, deck‑building, and a horror setting with zombies, After The Virus is a pick that will keep you up at night.

Furthermore, the game offers high replayability thanks to the variety of cards and the ability to choose different deck strategies. You can experiment with different gear and action card combinations to face hordes in various ways, keeping the game fresh even after many sessions.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

6 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–3 players
1 BEST
2 REC
3 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Creatures: Zombies Mechanism: Pure Deckbuilding Mechanism: Tableau Building Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Theme: Post-Apocalyptic
Publisher FryxGames, Maldito Games, Reflexshop, Schwerkraft-Verlag
Designer Jacob Fryxelius
Artist Daniel Fryxelius

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

5,287owners
845wishlist
103want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the average game duration?
Between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the mission and strategy.
How many players is it suitable for?
1 to 3 players; best in pairs or trios.
What is the complexity level?
Medium; involves deck building and hand management, but rules are approachable.
What components are included?
Action, gear, and event cards, an area deck, zombie tokens, survival tokens, and a rulebook.
Who is it recommended for?
Fans of cooperative play, deck building, and zombie horror themes.
How does deck building work?
You start with a basic deck, add gear and action cards, and discard zombie cards that appear in the area.
How to handle the increasing number of zombies?
Plan deck expansion before being overwhelmed and use one‑time items to clear the area.

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