Infection: Board Game

Infection: Board Game is an abstract strategy game for two players set on a seven-by-seven grid where players compete to achieve a majority of pieces by converting their opponent’s units. Players take turns moving or cloning their pieces, strategically infecting adjacent enemy squares to flip them to their color. The game concludes when the board is full or no valid moves remain, with the player holding the most pieces declared the winner.

Infection: Board Game: A Digital Reincarnation of an Abstract Classic

Introduction

In the vast digital ocean of mobile and indie games, certain titles emerge not through blockbuster spectacle but through elegant simplicity and timeless mechanics. Infection: Board Game, released by eSolutions Nordic AB in 2019, is precisely such a title—a digital resurrection of an abstract strategy board game with roots stretching back to the early 1990s arcades. This adaptation transforms the tactile joys of converting opponents’ pieces on a grid into a polished, accessible experience across modern platforms. While it eschews complex narratives or cutting-edge visuals, its brilliance lies in distilled gameplay purity. This review argues that Infection: Board Game succeeds not by reinventing its genre but by perfecting a classic formula, offering a compelling, intellectually satisfying experience that highlights the enduring appeal of abstract strategy in an era saturated with narrative-driven epics.

Development History & Context

eSolutions Nordic AB, a small Swedish developer, spearheaded this adaptation, demonstrating a focused vision to modernize a niche but historically significant game. Their choice to digitize Infection (also known as Ataxx, Boogers, Slime Wars, or Frog Cloning) reflects a deliberate engagement with gaming heritage. The original arcade game, released circa 1994 on platforms like the Amiga, represents a forgotten era of abstract digital board games—predating the modern “board game renaissance” but sharing its DNA of turn-based spatial conflict. Technologically, the development was constrained by the need for broad compatibility. Built on the ubiquitous Unity engine and utilizing Firebase for backend services, the game prioritizes accessibility over technical innovation. This approach allowed seamless releases across Android (March 2019), iOS, Nintendo Switch (2020), Windows, macOS, Linux, and Xbox (2021–2022), targeting both casual mobile gamers and dedicated strategy enthusiasts. The gaming landscape in 2019 was dominated by live-service titles and AAA blockbusters, making this unassuming, single-player-or-two-player strategy game an anomaly—a digital artifact preserved and polished for contemporary audiences.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

As an abstract strategy game, Infection: Board Game intentionally lacks traditional narrative elements like plot, characters, or dialogue. Instead, its “narrative” emerges from the core mechanics and thematic resonance. The game’s central theme is infection and territorial dominance, framed as a microscopic or viral struggle. Players assume the role of competing pathogens or biological entities, aiming to “infect” the board and convert hostile territories. This theme is communicated purely through gameplay: the act of placing pieces onto empty squares or leaping onto adjacent tiles to “convert” opponents’ pieces evokes a primal, biological metaphor for expansion and resistance. There are no named characters, but the player avatars—distinctly colored pieces (e.g., blue vs. red)—serve as symbolic protagonists. The absence of explicit storytelling forces players to internalize the theme, making every move feel like a tactical invasion or defensive maneuver. This abstraction is the game’s strength, inviting players to project their own narratives onto the sterile, top-down grid.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Infection: Board Game revolves around a deceptively simple yet deeply strategic loop on a 7×7 grid. Two players (or one versus an AI) begin with pieces in opposing corners, taking turns to either:
1. Place a new piece on an adjacent empty square, or
2. Move an existing piece to any adjacent empty square or a square up to two spaces away (diagonally included).

The critical mechanic is conversion: when a piece lands on a square adjacent to an opponent’s piece, that piece is instantly converted to the player’s color. This creates a domino effect, as newly converted pieces can, in turn, influence adjacent tiles. The game concludes when the board is full or no valid moves remain; victory is achieved by controlling the majority of tiles.
Combat is indirect and spatial—purely about positioning and conversion, no direct battles occur. Character progression is minimal, limited to unlocking AI difficulties in “Arcade Mode,” where opponents grow more aggressive and strategic. The UI is minimalist and functional: a clean grid with highlighted valid moves, color-coded pieces, and a turn indicator. While not groundbreaking, the point-and-click/touch interface is responsive and intuitive.
Innovations over the original include a leaderboard system for high scores in Arcade Mode and multiple board skins, but these are superficial. The core brilliance lies in its balance: the risk/reward of long leaps (which risk leaving gaps for opponents) versus cautious placement creates tense, thoughtful gameplay. However, the lack of random elements (e.g., dice) or asymmetrical abilities may limit strategic depth for hardened strategy gamers.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s “world” is the abstract grid itself—a microcosm of conflict where every square is contested territory. There is no narrative setting or lore, but the atmosphere is one of sterile, tactical tension. The visual direction emphasizes clarity over flair: pieces are simple, solid-color spheres (reminiscent of “slime” or “cells”) with subtle animations for placement/conversion. The fixed/flip-screen perspective ensures players always see the entire board, fostering strategic overview. Environmental details are absent, replaced by a clean, uncluttered interface that keeps focus on gameplay.
Sound design is similarly functional: a soft “plink” for moves, a squelch for conversions, and minimalist background ambiance. While not immersive, the audio provides satisfying feedback without distraction. Overall, the art and sound prioritize functionality, serving the gameplay rather than creating a vivid world. This restraint works in the game’s favor, preventing stylistic clutter and underscoring the purity of its strategic core.

Reception & Legacy

At launch, Infection: Board Game garnered moderate attention but not widespread acclaim. Its freemobile model (on Android) and affordable price ($5.99 on Switch) ensured steady downloads, but it flew under the radar of major critics. Metacritic lists only one critic review (TouchArcade, 2020), which noted its faithful adaptation and local multiplayer but acknowledged its niche appeal. Player reception was mixed: praised for its “addictive simplicity” and perfect portability, yet criticized for its lack of depth compared to modern strategy titles. Its legacy is twofold. First, it preserved a foundational abstract game (Ataxx-style) for a new generation, introducing it to audiences unfamiliar with its arcade origins. Second, it exemplifies the indie trend of digitizing classic board games—though less influential than titles like Catan or Ticket to Ride, it solidified the viability of minimalist strategy on digital storefronts. Related games like Hexxagon – Board Game and Dominate – Board Game emerged in its wake, but none replicated its elegant purity. Its true impact lies in demonstrating that compelling gameplay needs no narrative crutch.

Conclusion

Infection: Board Game is a masterclass in focused design—a digital artifact distilled to its strategic essence. While it lacks the narrative depth, graphical polish, or mechanical innovation of modern gaming titans, its brilliance lies in its unwavering commitment to a single, compelling concept: territorial conversion on a grid. eSolutions Nordic AB’s adaptation honors its 1990s origins while leveraging modern platforms for accessibility, resulting in a game that is simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. Its abstract nature and minimal artistry are not flaws but strengths, forcing players to engage with pure tactics. For enthusiasts of abstract strategy, it offers a satisfying, portable challenge; for casual gamers, it’s a perfect entry point into the genre. In an industry obsessed with scale and spectacle, Infection: Board Game stands as a testament to the timeless power of elegant, unpretentious gameplay. It may not have rewritten the rules, but it has preserved a classic with reverence and precision, securing its place as a noteworthy, if niche, entry in video game history. Verdict: A triumph of distilled strategy, worthy of attention from purists and puzzle-seekers alike.