Plague Inc: The Cure Review Summary

A unique reversed pandemic sim is realistic and challenging but fair, though the overly high difficulty and frustrating authority system make it a sale-only buy.

Widely praised DLC quality: Reviewers consistently describe the DLC as well-made, brilliantly designed, and a great addition to the base game. It is considered reasonably priced and a solid recommendation overall.

Unique reversed gameplay concept: The core appeal is playing from the opposite side, saving humanity instead of exterminating it. This inversion of Plague Inc. provides a completely fresh and surprising experience.

Harder than base game: Many players find the DLC considerably more challenging than the main game, especially the bio-weapon scenario. However, it is generally seen as hard but fair and rewarding once understood.

More fun than base game: A notable number of reviewers consider the DLC more fun than the main game, citing it as possibly better despite being harder. It offers tons of entertainment.

Unique save-the-world experience: The experience of saving humanity instead of exterminating it is described as a breath of fresh air and a 180-degree turn. It provides a hopeful, constructive alternative to the main game.

Overall difficulty too high: The game is generally perceived as very hard, even on normal or easy difficulties, with some modes being nearly impossible without a guide. This is a common complaint across multiple clusters.

DLC difficulty excessively high: The DLC is significantly harder than the base game, with reviewers struggling even on normal difficulty and calling it unfair or unenjoyable. This appears across clusters discussing both general difficulty and the Cure mode DLC.

Authority system frustrating: The authority mechanic is widely criticized as poorly designed, with players feeling they fight the authority meter rather than the disease. Authority drops randomly and rapidly even on easy difficulties, leading to abrupt losses.

DLC lacks content and quality: The DLC is criticized for having very little content, being poorly made, and feeling like a cash grab. Reviewers express disappointment and consider it not worth the money.

Reputation drops uncontrollably: Reputation decreases independently of player actions on higher difficulties, and even beneficial actions like upgrading infectivity reduction cause reputation loss. This makes the game feel unfair and leads to frequent defeats.

Multiple Difficulty Levels: The game offers several difficulty settings, including Normal, Casual, Hard, Mega Brutal, and realistic modes. These settings alter the challenge and progression, with Mega Brutal being notably tougher.

Play as Humans Against Virus: Players take on the role of humans or the WHO to detect, confine, and eradicate a deadly disease. The objective is to save humanity from the outbreak rather than spread it.

New Game Modes and DLC: Several new modes and a DLC focused on identifying, tracing, and stopping a pandemic are included. These add variety and new challenges.

Play as the Other Side: The game allows players to experience the perspective of the pathogen or the opposing side. This offers a different gameplay experience compared to the base game.

Authority System in Cure Mode: Cure mode includes an authority system that can be lost, affecting gameplay. Authority decreases regardless of lockdown status and can drop rapidly.

Buy only on sale: Many reviewers recommend purchasing the DLC only at a discount, as it is not considered worth full price. It is reasonably priced on sale and adds decent content.

Not recommended for purchase: Some reviewers advise against buying the DLC due to various issues, including difficulty and lack of fun. A few suggest avoiding it entirely unless on sale.

Recommended for base game fans: Players who enjoyed the base game are likely to enjoy this DLC as well. It is often suggested to buy it in a bundle with the main game.

Harder than base game: The DLC is significantly more difficult than the base game, with a steep learning curve. It is recommended for experienced players or those seeking a challenge.

Mixed and negative reviews: Opinions are polarized, with some players strongly recommending it and others advising against it. Mixed reviews may not reflect the overall quality.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00.

Game completion: 30.0h.

Session length: 1.0h.

Players report early friction from under-explained Cure mechanics, a shallow tutorial, and repetitive required actions, but enjoyment arrives once the game clicks. No specific time or count for that click is given.

Friction: Cure mechanics are not really explained; Tutorial only gives a simple rundown; Players must figure out everything themselves; Repetitive required actions: Investigate Outbreaks, Deploy Field Operatives, and Government Partnerships.

Unlock drivers: When the game clicks for the player.

Difficulty-Seeking Strategy Veteran: Clears campaigns on normal or higher, optimizing strategies and mastering the new mechanics. Motivation: To be challenged by harder, more complex scenarios than the base game offered. Stance: buy.

Relaxed Casual Player: Plays on Casual difficulty and avoids heavy micromanagement of vaccines, resources, and compliance. Motivation: To unwind with simple, low-stress disease-spreading gameplay. Stance: no buy.

Cure-Mode Humanitarian: Manages vaccine production, outbreak response, and containment to defeat the disease. Motivation: To experience the novel cure-the-world gameplay and see humanity saved. Stance: buy.

Monetization: The reviews focus on a paid DLC, especially frustration that it was previously free and is now paid, plus opinions about its price and value. No review describes in-game microtransactions, gacha, loot boxes, battle passes, currency obfuscation, paid power, or convenience items. The only monetization evidence is traditional paid DLC and price/value complaints, which cannot by themselves raise the score above 20.

Free DLC tied to COVID-19: Multiple clusters note the DLC was offered for free during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the condition that it remains free until the crisis is under control. Some clusters also mention it later changed to a paid model, causing confusion about its current pricing.

DLC for Plague Inc.: Several clusters explicitly identify this as a DLC or expansion pack for Plague Inc., with one noting it changes the pace compared to the base game and is sold as DLC. Another cluster specifies it is for Plague Inc: Evolved.

Compared to Plague Inc and Rebel Inc: Reviewers frequently compare this DLC to Plague Inc and Rebel Inc, noting similarities in gameplay, difficulty, and RNG reliance. Some find it more realistic or educational, while others prefer the base game or other Ndemic titles.

Paid DLC now with price complaints: Clusters indicate the DLC was initially free but later became paid, with some reviewers questioning the price, calling it a cash grab, or noting it is not recommended for those who must now pay. The price is listed as $5.99, and some mention sales and price structure issues compared to other DLCs.

Reverse the infection: cure mode: The DLC flips the main game's goal, having players cure the world instead of infecting it, and is framed as a second campaign that nearly doubles the campaign length. It introduces new modes and is described as more symmetrical than the regular mode.