Peak Oil: Profiteer

So far, the games from the “two tomatoes” had not impressed me much. Good production, decent gameplay, but nothing that made me want to bring them back to the table: New Corp Order was fine, while Peak Oil did not win me over. I tried Profiteer as one last chance, mainly because of its short running time and because it plays well with five. Thankfully, I did.

Each player takes charge of a company trying to make the most money before the game ends. You sell weapons, try to control the local rulers of a banana republic, and exploit oil and markets to inflate your profits. Its foundation is simple and easy to grasp, without drowning you in procedures.

Where it comes alive, though, is in the interaction. You steal leaders, you steal oil, balances are upset and rebuilt, and the resulting mayhem is part of the package. This is not merely a quiet economic game where everyone stares at their own board: the other players are constantly involved in your plans, and reversals arrive often enough to keep the session lively.

In the end, Peak Oil: Profiteer is more than honestly fair for what it offers, and it delivers some very satisfying moments. If I want short corporate intrigue with five people, simple rules, and plenty of players tearing into one another, this is the pleasant surprise I did not expect. BLTG seal of approval.