Sideshow of Sorrow (OCS Crimea)

Previous:
Next:
Tags

Sideshow of Sorrow was introduced to me as an OCS Crimea game in development. It was based on Case Blue, using the Crimea map and counters, with custom counters as required for the scenario.

Writing in May of 2024, my recollection is that we played two or three turns with me playing the Axis. The situation at the beginning is tough for the Axis, they have to attack through a very narrow and well-defended ithmus. I played it too conservatively and did not get the breakthrough necessary for a winning strategy.

Apparently there were more than one OCS Crimea title in development at this time. I do not beleive the title which was eventually published was this game, but I don't think it matters either. The situation on the ground is what it is, and being OCS, games modeling the same battle will be much more alike than different. Hence counting it as a play.

Previous:
Next:
Tags

What to play next?

Deciding what to play next is always a tough call when faced with a closet full of games, all of which were purchased with intent to play. Here's one I'm dealing with the decision.

  • Something New: this means both something new to me and a game which has been published recently, within the last two or three years.
  • Something Classic: I've acquired a number of games properly considered "classic" which haven't yet been played. The current example would be PanzerGruppe Guderian.
  • Something Again: mastery requires constant practice, which means playing games many, many times to allow nuance to appear.
  • Something Vietnam: as I'm on a Vietnam binge. I don't have all the Vietnam games ever published, but I can say that I have a lot of them, and probably more than most people.
  • Something Obscure: as it's fun to poke around in the dustier corners of game design.
  • Something Different: break away from the same old publishers and try a game from one of the new kids on the block. Or, conversely, dip into legacy with a classic tried and true.
  • Something Light: once in a while it's nice to actually finish a game all the way through in one sitting, in an hour or two.
  • Something Heavy: if possible, it's nice to set up something big and complicated which can be left out for days or weeks or even months, for a leisurely stroll through a very large or long game.

There are surely many more ways to choose, but the above method keeps me busy enough, helps me get both breadth and depth into my play, and provides me with a sense of progress.

The odd man out

When there is an odd man out:

  • Have a solo game ready to play.
  • Keep score or advise on a game in progress.
  • Referee a game in progress.