Oversight is one of those games that’s over quickly but you’ll want to play several times in a row. The rules are simple, however strategic thinking is important, as is paying close attention to what your opponents are doing.

OversightThe game board for Oversight is a 7 x 7 matrix of square spaces, where the rows and columns alternate between those that are fixed and those where the spaces can slide. (The image to the right includes an empty board. The squares you see there are permanently affixed.) Each player gets a set of discs, all in a single color. Then on the player’s turn, he must either place a disc on the board or shift one of the rows or columns. Any player to get four discs in a straight line immediately wins the game.

Of course, to win you’ll have to do more than simply place down four discs in a straight line. You’ll have to engineer a configuration of discs where four-in-a-row is inevitable—where no matter what your opponent or opponents do, you can place one piece or make one slide to get the win. At the same time, though, you have to carefully watch everything else that’s happening on the board. Fail to notice and… GAH! Where’d that come from!?! Okay, let’s play again!

Oversight in play

So while I clearly like the play of the game, I do have one negative comment. That is the colors. Not that it keeps me from playing, but the colors are a bit bright for my taste. Also, the colors of the tiles and discs match. Griddly Games, Oversight’s publisher, tells me that was done on purpose, to add to the challenge. Fortunately, there is at least the option of playing with the reverse, symbol-marked side of the discs face up, which provides greater differentiation and, I assume, would be a necessity for color-blind players.

Oversight accomodates 2-4 players and a game takes about 10 minutes, if you stop after just one.

Griddly Games provided a complimentary copy of Oversight for review.