Gorbachev: The Fall of Communism is a very interesting States of Siege style solitaire game designed by Ben Madison and published by White Dog Games. The player takes on the role of Soviet leadership by playing as Mikhail Gorbachev in an effort to move Russia toward democracy during the fall of Communism over the period of 1985 to 1991.
As with other States of Siege Series games, there are People markers located on five converging paths representing the political awakenings of the Russian people, the Baltic Republics, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Communist Party itself. The paths all come together in Moscow, where the danger of a coup exists if any of the People markers makes it that far. In addition, three tracks representing the Soviet economy, media and culture impact the overall situation. A card draw determines which paths and tracks move against you this turn, and the number of Efforts which you earn that you can use to move them back in your favor. A very simple and engaging game that I had a good time with, as I have with many of the States of Siege Series games designed by Ben Madison and published by White Dog Games.
-Grant
The Players' Aid 
Played it once and still have it on the shelf. Although I made it to the end and had surprisingly good luck with my die rolls, I think that the game did not leave a favorable impression. If all States-of-Siege style games are like this one, I don’t know if this style of game is for me. This is unfortunate, as I thought the theme of the game seemed interesting at first glance.
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What did you not like?
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I think I did not feel the immersed enough in the theme of the game, and with that, it quickly evolved into a feeling of “wash-rinse-repeat”. It’s not the first solitaire game that has left me feeling ‘meh’. Strangely, I have Ben Madison’s “Mrs. Thatcher’s War” and I feel a little more engaged by that game, but don’t fully understand know why. as there are similarities.
I saw/read your comments about Jeff Davis and have been on the fence about giving the S.O.S. style of game another try. Would you say that game is significantly different with regard to immersion?
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