Oceans of Fire -- Unboxing and Analysis

Oceans of Fire, a brand new game from Compass Games, is unboxed and explored for your viewing pleasure. Components are examined, plus some of the game's mechanics and even strategies are explored.

[@Tombonzo]

This is a great overview of the game. As always, very informative with some small comparisons to Fire in the Sky, etc!! Thank you for that.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi Mr B. Thank you for the kind words. Always helps. - Paul

[@jameycribbs]

I also was worried that the thicker cardstock map would not lay flat. I'm happy to report that, once I counter-folded the creases several times and smoothed it out as best I could, I got it to lay fairly flat without plexiglass. And, since the map has a nice matte finish, there is no glare!

[@jameycribbs]

I've been playing and learning this game for the last week or so and, even though I have only played the first two introductory scenarios, I can tell you that the Japanese will indeed be constrained from overusing their carriers due to scarcity of command points. There are just not enough of them to do everything you want/need to do! Also, a couple of other things will restrain both players. One is that interceptions are, for the most part, not a sure thing. The Japanese may have a monster carrier fleet in position to intercept a US operation, but if they fail their roll, it will stay sitting in port! Finally, you can only activate a unit once per impulse (and each impulse represents 6 weeks), so the Japanese will get, at most, 4 chances a year to have their carriers involved in operations, IF they are willing to spend precious command points on them. :) The game is fantastic! Right now, it is my favorite game of all time.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hello Jamey! Hey, that sounds great! I am looking forward to getting into this one, especially if “The Midway Problem” has been designed away. But I think I’ll stick with my plexy; just ordered 2 new sheets for the first time in forever. - Paul

[@KrakenStudiosGames]

Thanks for mentioning WarPlan Pacific. I am the developer.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Most excellent, Kraken! I just wish there was a way to dial down the Japanese AI to avoid getting American carriers blown to pieces if the US tries a Guadalcanal campaign in 1942. I call this “The Midway Problem”; what to do if Japan does not throw away 4 fleet carriers? A common issue in most Pacific Theater games. - Paul

[@clarkcommando1983]

🎉great well done 👍

[@theoakenknight1748]

Most Excellent! Thanks CC. - Paul

[@Phalanx11]

have a friend who's a Pacific War expert, can't wait to sink his fleet and say....."Is that good?"...

[@theoakenknight1748]

Or…, “You sunk my battleship!!” - Paul

[@antonioconde5040]

This or fire in the lake?. Congrats for your review!

[@theoakenknight1748]

Thanks Antonio. You might be thinking about “Fire in the Sky”. I’d compare that one to a more advanced version of “Victory in the Pacific”; Some of the mechanics in “Oceans of Fire” make me place it as a somewhat simplified “Pacific War”. Hope that helps. - Paul

[@przemekbozek]

Thanks, looks like an interesting game and I really like the map - unfortunately, with the game coming from Compass it's pretty pricey across the pond and I already have quite a few Pacific games. I'll give it a pass for now, unless a suitably priced copy pops up😀

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi pb. Thanks for chiming in on this one. Yup, it looks interesting but 100 pages of rules is still daunting. Fire in the Sky seems much more approachable! - Paul

[@przemekbozek]

@@theoakenknight1748 Yeah, my thoughts exactly (have Fire in the Sky, too) - plus have Empire of the Sun and Pacific War to go through as well

[@Phalanx11]

no more 1/2"...(chanting) ...no more 1/2"...!!!

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi P11, They are still out there but thankfully, but getting fewer and farther between. But we need bigger game tables as consequence. Good trade far as I am concerned. Thanks for chiming in! - Paul