Petri Dish

Looney Labs · Board game · 2016

— Ludopedia 6.4 BGG 2–10 · best 4, 5 10–40 min Weight 2.0/5

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— rating Ludopedia

6.4 rating BGG

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Our Verdict

FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy abstract games with pyramids and want something for a crowd, Petri Dish might be it! Dice luck sets the pace, but area movement strategy leads you to victory.

Highlights

Fast and dynamic gameplay
Supports many players
Unique Looney Pyramid components
Easy to learn

Keep in mind

Dice roll dependency
Light medical theme
Can be chaotic with many

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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for a microscopic battle in Petri Dish! This game, part of the Looney Pyramids line, pits 2 to 10 players against each other, controlling micro-organisms in a fierce contest. The goal is straightforward: eliminate all your opponents' pieces or get all of your own onto the board. Sounds easy? Think again! Each turn is a race against time and the dice, as you have three actions constrained by the roll of three custom dice. Each player starts with nine pieces, but only four of them enter play initially. Area movement is crucial, and luck with the dice can either propel you to victory or leave you in a tight spot. With quick games lasting 10 to 40 minutes, Petri Dish is perfect for those who enjoy abstract games with a touch of luck and strategy. It's one of those games that, despite a subtle medical theme, shines through its direct gameplay and the crazy number of players it supports. If you have a large group and want something different, or are simply a fan of Looney Pyramids' unique components, this game might be your next addiction.

Gallery

Box and component photos

11 photos · from the community

01 / 11

Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

In English

Petri Dish Tutorial BGG Watch on YouTube

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–10 players

2 OK

3 REC

4 BEST

5 BEST

6 REC

7 REC

8 OK

9 OK

10 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher Looney Labs

Designer Andrew Looney

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

56owners

1wishlist

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions

How many players can participate?

Petri Dish is super flexible and can be played by 2 to 10 players! It's perfect for large groups.

How long does a game take?

Games are quite fast, usually between 10 and 40 minutes, depending on the number of players and dice luck.

What is the objective of the game?

The goal is to eliminate all of your opponents' pieces or manage to get all of your own pieces onto the board before they do.

Do I need to know anything about Looney Pyramids games?

It's not required, but if you're familiar with the pyramid games, you'll feel right at home. The theme is different, but the movement mechanics and component usage are similar.

Is the game very complicated to learn?

No, the rules are quite straightforward. You roll the dice and use the allowed actions to move your pieces and attack opponents.

Is dice luck the main factor?

Luck plays a role, of course, but knowing how to manage your actions and position your pieces correctly based on the dice results is what will lead you to victory.

Are there any expansions or different versions?

Petri Dish was originally published as part of Pyramid Arcade, which is a collection of games using the Looney Pyramids. The game itself does not have separate expansions.