Since a set of common “double-six” dominoes is something most even moderately experienced board gamers are likely to have, it’s always interesting to see new games emerge using the familiar “bones.”
Which brings us to OSSA.
This is a speedy little offering — it’s suggested at 10 minutes. Therein lies both a plus and a minus.
A quick game is a sweet spot for some, but others will feel the game was over before any real strategy could be employed. For Trevor and me, we fall more into the “over too quickly” camp on this one — so be aware: blink, and you might have lost.
OSSA is a game where the theme is that one player essentially takes the role of the undead, while the other player attempts to stop the horde.
Of course, the playing pieces here are dominoes; the theme is largely in the mind, so don’t get too hung up on it.
This is an abstract strategy game in most senses, as every move is visible and there is no imposed luck.
Now, on the game page (https://carta-mundus.itch.io/ossa), they suggest some pretty heady achievements for OSSA, citing “dense decision-making like Go — territorial pressure like Hive — lethal tempo like Onitama.”
While some may see elements of that, I’m afraid Trevor and I did not — nor, frankly, is any game likely to warrant even a slight comparison to the all-time great Go, the modern classic Hive, and the top-shelf Onitama. It feels like an overreach.
That doesn’t mean OSSA isn’t worth a look and a play. You can visit the site and download the rules, and since you likely have dominoes already, why not invest half an hour in two or three playthroughs? There are worse ways to spend a coffee break.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
OSSA: Bones That Decide Fate
Which brings us to OSSA.
This is a speedy little offering — it’s suggested at 10 minutes. Therein lies both a plus and a minus.
A quick game is a sweet spot for some, but others will feel the game was over before any real strategy could be employed. For Trevor and me, we fall more into the “over too quickly” camp on this one — so be aware: blink, and you might have lost.
OSSA is a game where the theme is that one player essentially takes the role of the undead, while the other player attempts to stop the horde.
Of course, the playing pieces here are dominoes; the theme is largely in the mind, so don’t get too hung up on it.
This is an abstract strategy game in most senses, as every move is visible and there is no imposed luck.
Now, on the game page (https://carta-mundus.itch.io/ossa), they suggest some pretty heady achievements for OSSA, citing “dense decision-making like Go — territorial pressure like Hive — lethal tempo like Onitama.”
While some may see elements of that, I’m afraid Trevor and I did not — nor, frankly, is any game likely to warrant even a slight comparison to the all-time great Go, the modern classic Hive, and the top-shelf Onitama. It feels like an overreach.
That doesn’t mean OSSA isn’t worth a look and a play. You can visit the site and download the rules, and since you likely have dominoes already, why not invest half an hour in two or three playthroughs? There are worse ways to spend a coffee break.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
See author's posts