Rating distribution for Oatworm
Ratings
Fri 18th Feb 17:42
I'm normally not a huge fan of "let's make Risk BIGGER!" boards, but this one is arguably one of the better ones. A solid board with teams or fog.
World War rated 
Good
Good
I'm normally not a huge fan of "let's make Risk BIGGER!" boards, but this one is arguably one of the better ones. A solid board with teams or fog.
Fri 18th Feb 17:39
Take "Wargear Warfare", toss it onto Ireland, and give it pretty graphics. It's fairly well balanced, though, so no complaints.
Take "Wargear Warfare", toss it onto Ireland, and give it pretty graphics. It's fairly well balanced, though, so no complaints.
Fri 18th Feb 17:38
Basically everything Mongrel said. The 'Bama-area territories are a little challenging to identify, and there are some other problems graphically, but it's still fairly playable. It's just a shame that so many people insist on playing it outside of its strengths (two player games, that sort of thing).
Basically everything Mongrel said. The 'Bama-area territories are a little challenging to identify, and there are some other problems graphically, but it's still fairly playable. It's just a shame that so many people insist on playing it outside of its strengths (two player games, that sort of thing).
Thu 17th Feb 15:49
Though the board redefines the boundaries of "graphical subtlety" (Can we get a black and white version so it's even plainer?), don't let its looks fool you - this is not a board you can sleepwalk through. Though stalemates can and do happen, they clear up quickly enough to keep things moving.
Though the board redefines the boundaries of "graphical subtlety" (Can we get a black and white version so it's even plainer?), don't let its looks fool you - this is not a board you can sleepwalk through. Though stalemates can and do happen, they clear up quickly enough to keep things moving.
Thu 17th Feb 15:46
Curious about Simulgear? Need some schooling on it? This is the board you should earn your chops on. It's big enough to try out some of the cooler tricks you can play with Simulgear, but simple enough where you're not having to fight the board while you play. Brilliant stuff.
Curious about Simulgear? Need some schooling on it? This is the board you should earn your chops on. It's big enough to try out some of the cooler tricks you can play with Simulgear, but simple enough where you're not having to fight the board while you play. Brilliant stuff.
Thu 17th Feb 15:43
It's an interesting and quirky board - this is definitely not something you play without reading through the rules a few times and, hopefully, finding an old game to watch through the history viewer. It's a lot of fun once you get the hang of it, though.
It's an interesting and quirky board - this is definitely not something you play without reading through the rules a few times and, hopefully, finding an old game to watch through the history viewer. It's a lot of fun once you get the hang of it, though.
Thu 17th Feb 15:41
Hordes and continents
Co-existing side by side
Play this solid board.
Hordes and continentsCo-existing side by side
Play this solid board.
Thu 17th Feb 15:39
It's like "Steal the Bacon", only it actually works! Meaning, it's a short, sweet two-player board with obvious attack lines that actually requires a bit of nuance, luck, and strategy beyond "sit around and wait for unit counts to be high enough for offense to be a statistical fait accompli". Good stuff!
It's like "Steal the Bacon", only it actually works! Meaning, it's a short, sweet two-player board with obvious attack lines that actually requires a bit of nuance, luck, and strategy beyond "sit around and wait for unit counts to be high enough for offense to be a statistical fait accompli". Good stuff!
Thu 17th Feb 15:33
This is arguably my favorite Hordes map, especially with fog on. It's fun, it's fast, and it's always a blast.
This is arguably my favorite Hordes map, especially with fog on. It's fun, it's fast, and it's always a blast.
Thu 17th Feb 15:31
Basically everything Alpha said. Games can go on a lot longer than you'd think on a board this size since cards and bonuses never escalate, so equilibrium between opponents can be achieved. Otherwise, it's pretty straightforward.
Basically everything Alpha said. Games can go on a lot longer than you'd think on a board this size since cards and bonuses never escalate, so equilibrium between opponents can be achieved. Otherwise, it's pretty straightforward.
Fri 22nd Oct 19:12
Midnight's review sums this board up quite nicely. This is a completely different game that just happens to use some of the same mechanics as a traditional Risk game. All in all, this is a fantastic job.
I'm docking a star because I'm not very good at it. ;-) Plus, I noticed that nobody's rated it a 9 yet, so I've got that going for me, too.
Midnight's review sums this board up quite nicely. This is a completely different game that just happens to use some of the same mechanics as a traditional Risk game. All in all, this is a fantastic job.I'm docking a star because I'm not very good at it. ;-) Plus, I noticed that nobody's rated it a 9 yet, so I've got that going for me, too.
Thu 14th Oct 16:58
What's better than a duel? That's right: *Two* duels happening simultaneously! I think it's set up quite nicely - the limited attacks keep the first players in each corner from overwhelming the second players and evens things out a bit. There's definitely an optimal strategy or two (HINT: Aggressiveness is good!), but there's nothing wrong with that. All in all, a solid, different board.
What's better than a duel? That's right: *Two* duels happening simultaneously! I think it's set up quite nicely - the limited attacks keep the first players in each corner from overwhelming the second players and evens things out a bit. There's definitely an optimal strategy or two (HINT: Aggressiveness is good!), but there's nothing wrong with that. All in all, a solid, different board.
Mon 4th Oct 20:27
This is definitely a long haul of a board where it's quite possible to succeed using either a conquer-and-hold strategy against the island bonuses or through an amoeba-like spread on Honshu. Neither path offers hope for quick victory, which is probably for the best. The games I've been in on this board have been largely free of "stack and hold" stalemates, so it's apparently doing something right.
Nicely done!
This is definitely a long haul of a board where it's quite possible to succeed using either a conquer-and-hold strategy against the island bonuses or through an amoeba-like spread on Honshu. Neither path offers hope for quick victory, which is probably for the best. The games I've been in on this board have been largely free of "stack and hold" stalemates, so it's apparently doing something right.Nicely done!
Mon 4th Oct 20:25
It's a Risky classic. Now if only I could figure out how to play the danged thing...
It's a Risky classic. Now if only I could figure out how to play the danged thing...
Mon 4th Oct 20:24
I love the graphic concept! It's absolutely fantastic. It's fairly predictable strategically - grab an area, defend it on the corridors, hope for the best - but it's still fun.
I love the graphic concept! It's absolutely fantastic. It's fairly predictable strategically - grab an area, defend it on the corridors, hope for the best - but it's still fun.
Mon 4th Oct 20:22
I like the creative use of visibility to see but not attack adjacent islands - it's a little touch that I really appreciate. Lots of obvious choke points once you clear an island or two (teleporter pads), which most people either love or hate. It's a fun board.
I like the creative use of visibility to see but not attack adjacent islands - it's a little touch that I really appreciate. Lots of obvious choke points once you clear an island or two (teleporter pads), which most people either love or hate. It's a fun board.
Mon 4th Oct 20:18
I have no clue (pun intended) how to properly play this board and that's why I love it. It's a fantastic bit of foggy fun.
I have no clue (pun intended) how to properly play this board and that's why I love it. It's a fantastic bit of foggy fun.
Mon 4th Oct 20:16
It's an adequately executed port of Risk against a map of Romania. Nothing fancy, not that there's anything wrong with that.
It's an adequately executed port of Risk against a map of Romania. Nothing fancy, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Mon 4th Oct 20:14
It's small, quick, and surprisingly fair, at least if the current crop of game results are any indication. Not too shabby!
It's small, quick, and surprisingly fair, at least if the current crop of game results are any indication. Not too shabby!
Mon 4th Oct 20:12
The trouble with groundbreaking boards is that, by the very definition of "groundbreaking", whatever follows it in concept will invariably achieve superior execution. Modern cars are better by every conceivable measure than the Model T. Modern computers are better by every objective measure than ENIAC. Modern audiences would find immediately pre-rock jazz (i.e. before music nerds turned it into the musical equivalent of "ST:Voyager" - all form, no substance) far easier to listen to than early ragtime. And so on.
This board is groundbreaking. Consequently, as Mongrel pointed out below, it has some flaws. The neutrals are annoying timesinks. The supply line dynamic doesn't play itself out as consistently as it probably should. But, for all its flaws, it shows a new, hitherto unexplored path for game development, one which future boards may pursue with superior execution at some point in the near future. Ultimately, you have to start somewhere.
This is a good place to start.
The trouble with groundbreaking boards is that, by the very definition of "groundbreaking", whatever follows it in concept will invariably achieve superior execution. Modern cars are better by every conceivable measure than the Model T. Modern computers are better by every objective measure than ENIAC. Modern audiences would find immediately pre-rock jazz (i.e. before music nerds turned it into the musical equivalent of "ST:Voyager" - all form, no substance) far easier to listen to than early ragtime. And so on.This board is groundbreaking. Consequently, as Mongrel pointed out below, it has some flaws. The neutrals are annoying timesinks. The supply line dynamic doesn't play itself out as consistently as it probably should. But, for all its flaws, it shows a new, hitherto unexplored path for game development, one which future boards may pursue with superior execution at some point in the near future. Ultimately, you have to start somewhere.
This is a good place to start.