Panic Lab

Albi, Brain Games, FoxGames · Board game · 2012
6.6 Ludopedia 6.0 BGG 2–10 · best 4 10–30 min Weight 1.3/5
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6.6 rating Ludopedia
6.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Panic Lab is pure adrenaline in board game form! Fans of visual challenges, party games, and a bit of controlled chaos will have a blast. Imagine a treasure hunt mixed with mental Twister, where everyone plays simultaneously and time is your biggest enemy. The simple mechanics hide a surprisingly intense game, especially with loud, competitive groups. Prepare for laughter and frantic finger-pointing!

Highlights
  • Fun real-time chaos
  • Great for large groups
  • Easy to learn, hard to master
Keep in mind
  • May stress more relaxed players
  • Requires space to spread cards
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

Panic Lab is a frantic race against time where you and your friends play scientists trying to catch runaway amoebas. The cards are arranged in a circle, forming a maze of labs, vents, and mutation chambers. Each round, the dice reveal which amoeba is escaping: it could be blue/purple or red/orange, spotted or striped, and shaped like a 'ghost' or a 'slug'. The challenge? Find the fugitive before other players by following the dice clues while dealing with mid-chase mutations that change its features. If you hit a vent, you must jump to the next one before continuing the pursuit. It's a game of quick observation, memory, and a bit of luck, perfect for fans of visual challenges and chaotic simultaneous action. The first to catch five amoebas wins, but expect shouting, confusion, and loads of chaotic fun!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–10 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 REC
8 REC
9 REC
10 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Dice with Icons Containers: Tin/Metal Box Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Series: Beveled Boxes (Gigamic) Theme: Science
Publisher Albi, Brain Games, FoxGames, Ghenos Games, Gigamic, Hachette Boardgames USA, Korea Boardgames, Land of Beautiful Mind (سرزمین ذهن زیبا), Maldón
Designer Dominique Ehrhard
Artist Maxim Cyr

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

4,601owners
187wishlist
21want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can join?
2 to 10 players, but it's more fun with 4 or more.
What's the average game duration?
Between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on player count and chaos level!
Can children play?
Yes, ages 8+ as it requires quick visual pattern recognition.
Does it need much space?
Yes, cards are arranged in a circle, so a large table or floor space helps.
Is there language dependency?
No, components are entirely visual, perfect for multilingual groups.
Is it good for fans of relaxed games?
Not really - the game is deliberately chaotic and loud, best for action lovers.

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