Ocasta

A game about land reclamation and farming set in Holland and decided with the fields workers taking part in the Tulip Race sounded too good to miss. On top of the subject the execution is amazing with 3-4" tall plastic windmills, supported by filed worker figures and farmhouses. Combine these with the colourful fields of crops and tulips and the game looks stunning in a cute way rather than an Eagle games spectacular way.

The mechanics works well. The player actions range from planting crops to reclaiming land by pumping out the water with their windmills. The game consists of six years of your seasons each; Spring (plant and build), Summer(drainage), Autumn (weather and harvest), Winter (invest in new supplies). After the sixth year the Tulip race takes place.

While the game revolves around running and growing your farms you need to ensure that you are accumulating field workers and your windmills have good access to good Tulip fields. There are no victory points or scores awarded until the Tulip Race which makes it hard to know who is winning and therefore reduces negative play.

Unfortunately while the game works it takes too long and outstays its welcome - each year is too repetetive. Four years would have been enough. Good for value and appeal, but I can't see it getting enough play to work out the startegies