Wish I liked it more. It’s funny and well written, but a poor game. There are almost no clues to the main threat arc (I spotted 1, on multiple playthroughs). Even that “clue” doesn’t tell you what budget item is needed; so it’s basically pure luck that you don’t eliminate the single, critical, item on the budget. Similarly, there is really no clues that some budget areas are utterly, totally useless; except multiple playthroughs.

If you avoid the main threat, then the minor threats can be avoided by simply trimming the budget rather than making bold directed cuts. The clues here a bit more obvious, and let you know what to worry about.

To make this a better game, the main-threat should be more random between plays, and the gameplay should be more about “putting together coincidences” across turns rather than responding to one-off code phrases for vampire/werewolf activity.

It would also be nice to allow for synergy between cuts having unforeseen system consequences (like a collapse in staff morale, or poor internal communications repeatedly screwing ops) . I never got the feeling that the ODA was an organic functional organisation.

One of the Grasspunk juniors plays a bit of FPS video games. They are looking rather stunning these days. [And there's group chat full of Russians.]

The contrast between me going into my dad’s office in the 1981 to play “trek” on the minicomputer and being able to play CS:GO or Battlefield 1 at home is incredible. I have never played these games but I watch them in awe.