Great update guys. I recently got into this system and have been playing it since. Owning Band of brothers, Nations at War & Conflict of Heroes, I believed I was set with squad/platoon tac games. However being a loyal squad leader gamer starting the 80's I loved that system until it became ASL requiring too much dedication making it (for me anyway) not fun anymore. This feels like Sq Leader updated. OST has stunning maps, large counters, easy rules, FUN to play and overall top notch quality components. I like the unique large beautiful mounted maps as smaller Geomorphic paper maps are a bit generic in order to fit all of them together (a road on every side, etc). The larger map allows realistic terrain versatility as well as room to place aid cards, rules book, dice tower, etc on the unused portion of board thus saving space on the table. Flying Pig games clearly understand the gamer's expectations of quality, historical and fun.
I have a similar opinion....but I just do not see the need or any great improvements for me to stop playing the original (which I own and love...and can be found for a lot less $$$$)
I would love to see you cover ASL starter kit and compare them to other WWII tacticals. Personally I love both ASL and starter kit and I think you are overestimating how complicated the system is - especially starter kit. I think it is fine to stop at starter kit but it's also fine to dive deeper into the full ASL if it grabs your interest. The maps will be underwhelming compared to newer games but they have the utility that Grant was describing in this video and makes them infinitely more adjustable.
OST has the armour system sharing similar processes to infantry and so it is easy to start bringing armour into your game. Likewise off-board artillery is really easy to use, it is based around just a couple of paragraphs of rules. So it is quite is easy to get at the ‘all arms’ scenarios. My older eyes also appreciate the bigger counters / info layout. For a few years, I have significantly collected the four big tactical WWII games, and have been doing this stuff since 1977 4th Edition Squad Leader and have now streamlined this period down to just OST.
I have seen this and (IMHO) this is basically a re-make of the old "Avalon Hill" game "Squad Leader". Not to be confused with the later "Advanced Squad Leader" where they tossed in the towel, used a 3-ring binder system of rules and wrote a separate rule for EVERYTHING (special exceptions for types of Machine guns?!?). The original "Squad Leader" with the first 2 supplements plays almost EXACTLY like this game (the first one fixed many things and is REQUIRED, the second added units/nations). After reading it for about an hour one day...I decided I did not need it at all because I have owned the original "Squad Leader" for decades.
What do you mean, tossed in the towel? That idiom doesn't even make sense. Sorry you can't seem to grasp what ASL is.... You've got the isn't down pretty good, though :)
@@marchanna lol "Tossed in the towel" as in even try to design a game with a limited/manageable set of rule which is by definition one of the most basic/important things about designing a GOOD playable game. No, their great idea was to make it a 3-ring binder so it was easier to ADD more rules and make changes as it grew..and grew...and they sold supplement after supplement... Oh, and yeah...I had a subscription to their monthly mag when it was released; I had ASL itself in the mail the day it was released. Yep, explain it to me some more. lol
I'd love to see you guys do a full-on comparison of OST, CoH, CC, etc. with some kind of 1-5 scale on several factors. I've got volume 1 and the Stalingrad expansion btw. I love the production value, but, yeah, the box is huge and weighs a ton. Doesn't stack well with my GMT games ;)
This video has certainly piqued my interest. Tactical games wise, I'm familiar with ASL, ASLSK, COH and CC. ASL is still my favourite - but that's mainly down to the way it generates such a great narrative. I might dip my toe, just to see what all the fuss is about. No idea where I'd store their boxes though - they're huge!
I love OST. Have Vol’s II and III and all expansions.... For me, it is very playable - and most often, results in suspenseful play that can go down close to the end. The concept of a potential for one extra turn adds to the end game suspense. Variability in impulse points and in initiative for every turn presents players with a multitude of different challenges. It is easy to teach to others. It is not nearly as crunchy as SL or ASL but the flow of gameplay makes it FUN!!!
I'd like to see a video in which you two sit down and play a game start to finish, maybe not every single minute of it but most of it, to see how a game of OST flows (or whatever game, not necessarily OST).
Great episode. It would be awesome if you made an episode where you make an overview of the most common tactical game systems. Like OST, ASL etc. And also operational game systems of course. As a noob trying to get into war gaming, I have a hard time navigating this jungle.
I backed the Kickstarter for vol. 2 and I still haven't played it because the maps are too large for any play space I have convenient access to. I'm glad to hear it's a good game though!
OST is the best WWII tactical game on the market. It is much better than ASL! The rules are so much easier to read and comprehend. OST is also pretty good solo. The Stalingrad Expansion is available here flyingpiggames.com/products/old-school-tactical-stalingrad-expansion
Great review. Keep up the great content. I'd like to see your review of the ASL Starter Kits. Yes, I know ASL massive rules and is a lifestyle game, but the starter kits aren't bad of course and you have reviewed almost all the other tactical war game systems on your channel so seems like you might as well do add ASL coverage too :) Thanks again
Thanks for your video on OST. As a boardgamer that is new to the wargame genre I have been looking to try a tactical-level wargame (mainly looking at ASLSK and Combat Commander until I watched this vid). OST sounds and looks like a nice package. How does OST play solo? Are there any other tactical-level wargames that can be recommended for solo play? Cheers!
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear is a good solo one (has a a seperate dedicated solo mod). OST plays just fine solo, you can house rule any hidden mines or use a die roll to decide when to play the Luck card of the game.
@@ThePlayersAid FWIW, having read your comments on ASLSK in the past, I think it will be a much quicker study than you're imagining. It was my first proper war game, and learned it in a weekend. It being complex is a bit of a meme at this point. I do think it will be a bit more up Alexander's alley than Grant's, but it really does seem like a bit of shame that Alexander hasn't dove into that one yet, feels like something he would really dig. Haven't dove into "Full ASL" as it's been out of print since the Hoover administration, so can't comment on that.
My 2 cents ... I think they have something against MMP... maybe not getting financial sponsorship from them as an incitative to cover their games. And this is not a criticism because this is a hobby but also a business. But why aslsk1 was never reviewed on this channel and we get every new update of any other tactical games out there is beyond me. I just hope they did try the aslsk system at least and they are not missing on the experience. Maybe one day!
The difference between this and ASL are the same as between the original SL and ASL. One system goes for deep "detail" and rules for every situation and even did so in a 3-ring binder so you could add them in as they were written for the system. This game (and the original Squad Leader) were meant for a game that is MUCH more steam-lined and easy to play (and faster as well). My 2 cents.
@@TrudelFrancois Nothing against MMP, I've had the ASLSK1 for acouple of years (I even have ASL core rules and Beyond Valour) just not had time to get around to it yet. For exampe I have Ghost Panzer, Paths of Glory, and many other staples unplayed. We'll get to it one day.
The Players Aid I understand that once you know a system it is also less time consuming to present the next extension / iteration based on the core rules. We all have many unplayed games on our shelves, I have at least 10-15 myself. The time required to learn and dissect the game well enough to do what you guys are doing ... I would not be able to do it. Still I am looking forward for that episode for sure. In the meantime great one on OST your love for the game seems legit and if the price and availability change here in Canada I might give it a try! In the meantime maybe this is available in TTS.. might take a look.
I've been turned off by the baffling complexity of Advanced Squad Leader and have been researching OST and LnL: Tactical. Tough decision, I can only afford one, both in money and time.
What was that hammering or stamping going on somewhere off camera??? Secure the studio before going "live"!!! 12:51: BOX FART!!!! Clear the room!! :D Man, there are a LOT of expansions to this!! And expansions to the expansions!!! :o
Great update guys. I recently got into this system and have been playing it since. Owning Band of brothers, Nations at War & Conflict of Heroes, I believed I was set with squad/platoon tac games. However being a loyal squad leader gamer starting the 80's I loved that system until it became ASL requiring too much dedication making it (for me anyway) not fun anymore. This feels like Sq Leader updated. OST has stunning maps, large counters, easy rules, FUN to play and overall top notch quality components. I like the unique large beautiful mounted maps as smaller Geomorphic paper maps are a bit generic in order to fit all of them together (a road on every side, etc). The larger map allows realistic terrain versatility as well as room to place aid cards, rules book, dice tower, etc on the unused portion of board thus saving space on the table. Flying Pig games clearly understand the gamer's expectations of quality, historical and fun.
I have a similar opinion....but I just do not see the need or any great improvements for me to stop playing the original (which I own and love...and can be found for a lot less $$$$)
@@GrumblingGrognard Completely understandable. I think Sq Lead holds up in the test of time very well overall.
I agree, it deserves to be much more widely known and played.
I would love to see you cover ASL starter kit and compare them to other WWII tacticals. Personally I love both ASL and starter kit and I think you are overestimating how complicated the system is - especially starter kit. I think it is fine to stop at starter kit but it's also fine to dive deeper into the full ASL if it grabs your interest. The maps will be underwhelming compared to newer games but they have the utility that Grant was describing in this video and makes them infinitely more adjustable.
It's the only tactical wargame I've found approachable, easy to grok, and fun.
OST has the armour system sharing similar processes to infantry and so it is easy to start bringing armour into your game. Likewise off-board artillery is really easy to use, it is based around just a couple of paragraphs of rules. So it is quite is easy to get at the ‘all arms’ scenarios. My older eyes also appreciate the bigger counters / info layout. For a few years, I have significantly collected the four big tactical WWII games, and have been doing this stuff since 1977 4th Edition Squad Leader and have now streamlined this period down to just OST.
@24:20 Haha! Love it!
I have seen this and (IMHO) this is basically a re-make of the old "Avalon Hill" game "Squad Leader". Not to be confused with the later "Advanced Squad Leader" where they tossed in the towel, used a 3-ring binder system of rules and wrote a separate rule for EVERYTHING (special exceptions for types of Machine guns?!?). The original "Squad Leader" with the first 2 supplements plays almost EXACTLY like this game (the first one fixed many things and is REQUIRED, the second added units/nations). After reading it for about an hour one day...I decided I did not need it at all because I have owned the original "Squad Leader" for decades.
What do you mean, tossed in the towel? That idiom doesn't even make sense. Sorry you can't seem to grasp what ASL is.... You've got the isn't down pretty good, though :)
@@marchanna lol "Tossed in the towel" as in even try to design a game with a limited/manageable set of rule which is by definition one of the most basic/important things about designing a GOOD playable game. No, their great idea was to make it a 3-ring binder so it was easier to ADD more rules and make changes as it grew..and grew...and they sold supplement after supplement... Oh, and yeah...I had a subscription to their monthly mag when it was released; I had ASL itself in the mail the day it was released. Yep, explain it to me some more. lol
Will you do an overview of your collection? I spend a lot of time watching your videos trying to look at all the boxes behind you.
Yes I will.
I'd love to see you guys do a full-on comparison of OST, CoH, CC, etc. with some kind of 1-5 scale on several factors. I've got volume 1 and the Stalingrad expansion btw. I love the production value, but, yeah, the box is huge and weighs a ton. Doesn't stack well with my GMT games ;)
And throw in “The Last Hundred Yards” in that comparison!!
This video has certainly piqued my interest. Tactical games wise, I'm familiar with ASL, ASLSK, COH and CC. ASL is still my favourite - but that's mainly down to the way it generates such a great narrative. I might dip my toe, just to see what all the fuss is about. No idea where I'd store their boxes though - they're huge!
I love OST. Have Vol’s II and III and all expansions....
For me, it is very playable - and most often, results in suspenseful play that can go down close to the end. The concept of a potential for one extra turn adds to the end game suspense.
Variability in impulse points and in initiative for every turn presents players with a multitude of different challenges.
It is easy to teach to others.
It is not nearly as crunchy as SL or ASL but the flow of gameplay makes it FUN!!!
24:20 I appreciate the sentiment, as a Russian :)
I'd like to see a video in which you two sit down and play a game start to finish, maybe not every single minute of it but most of it, to see how a game of OST flows (or whatever game, not necessarily OST).
Love you guys!
I love waiting until the final space before melee to unleash opp fire on banzai troops. +1 for firepower and dramatic tension.
Great episode. It would be awesome if you made an episode where you make an overview of the most common tactical game systems. Like OST, ASL etc. And also operational game systems of course. As a noob trying to get into war gaming, I have a hard time navigating this jungle.
Old School rocks. 🍺 Awesome vid! You definately get your monies worth with this series of games!
I backed the Kickstarter for vol. 2 and I still haven't played it because the maps are too large for any play space I have convenient access to. I'm glad to hear it's a good game though!
Ohhh, I need to save more $$$$ to acquire at least 2 of these 😋
OST is the best WWII tactical game on the market. It is much better than ASL! The rules are so much easier to read and comprehend. OST is also pretty good solo. The Stalingrad Expansion is available here flyingpiggames.com/products/old-school-tactical-stalingrad-expansion
24:20 Exactly. They're both the bad guys.
Great review. Keep up the great content.
I'd like to see your review of the ASL Starter Kits. Yes, I know ASL massive rules and is a lifestyle game, but the starter kits aren't bad of course and you have reviewed almost all the other tactical war game systems on your channel so seems like you might as well do add ASL coverage too :) Thanks again
Thanks for your video on OST. As a boardgamer that is new to the wargame genre I have been looking to try a tactical-level wargame (mainly looking at ASLSK and Combat Commander until I watched this vid). OST sounds and looks like a nice package. How does OST play solo? Are there any other tactical-level wargames that can be recommended for solo play? Cheers!
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear is a good solo one (has a a seperate dedicated solo mod). OST plays just fine solo, you can house rule any hidden mines or use a die roll to decide when to play the Luck card of the game.
Read the expansions stand alone games. Really interested in your description of west front ops
OST looks like the system I would want to get into ..
Not to toot my own horn, but there's a cool demo of OST Vol 2 on TTS (authorized by Mark W.) steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2119145872
Do you plan on ever tackling ASL, perhaps Starter Kits?
One day. I have the core rules and Beyond Valor. I even have ASLSK1. Just a time thing.
@@ThePlayersAid FWIW, having read your comments on ASLSK in the past, I think it will be a much quicker study than you're imagining. It was my first proper war game, and learned it in a weekend. It being complex is a bit of a meme at this point. I do think it will be a bit more up Alexander's alley than Grant's, but it really does seem like a bit of shame that Alexander hasn't dove into that one yet, feels like something he would really dig.
Haven't dove into "Full ASL" as it's been out of print since the Hoover administration, so can't comment on that.
Very interesting game, but very hard to find in France... only OST Pacific is still available :/
You can go with the Print and Play options available on the Flying Pig Games website for OST.
How does this system compare with the Academy Games stuff? I can't remember if you guys have played those.
They're not dissimilar, and both have excellent production value. CoH has a little more chaos with the new edition and the activation system.
Why should I play this instead of ASL? I think we need a comparison video.
My 2 cents ... I think they have something against MMP... maybe not getting financial sponsorship from them as an incitative to cover their games. And this is not a criticism because this is a hobby but also a business. But why aslsk1 was never reviewed on this channel and we get every new update of any other tactical games out there is beyond me. I just hope they did try the aslsk system at least and they are not missing on the experience. Maybe one day!
The difference between this and ASL are the same as between the original SL and ASL. One system goes for deep "detail" and rules for every situation and even did so in a 3-ring binder so you could add them in as they were written for the system. This game (and the original Squad Leader) were meant for a game that is MUCH more steam-lined and easy to play (and faster as well). My 2 cents.
jkapleau Yes!
@@TrudelFrancois Nothing against MMP, I've had the ASLSK1 for acouple of years (I even have ASL core rules and Beyond Valour) just not had time to get around to it yet. For exampe I have Ghost Panzer, Paths of Glory, and many other staples unplayed. We'll get to it one day.
The Players Aid I understand that once you know a system it is also less time consuming to present the next extension / iteration based on the core rules. We all have many unplayed games on our shelves, I have at least 10-15 myself. The time required to learn and dissect the game well enough to do what you guys are doing ... I would not be able to do it. Still I am looking forward for that episode for sure. In the meantime great one on OST your love for the game seems legit and if the price and availability change here in Canada I might give it a try! In the meantime maybe this is available in TTS.. might take a look.
I see Brave Little Belgium!
Have you guys played Hell Bent yet?
Yes we played it yes. Comes with some unique scenarios, if you like Pacific then I'd get it.
I've been turned off by the baffling complexity of Advanced Squad Leader and have been researching OST and LnL: Tactical. Tough decision, I can only afford one, both in money and time.
What was that hammering or stamping going on somewhere off camera??? Secure the studio before going "live"!!!
12:51: BOX FART!!!! Clear the room!! :D
Man, there are a LOT of expansions to this!! And expansions to the expansions!!! :o
i have an extra Stalingrad if you'd like - $30 plus $11 shipping?
Volume 4 has gotta have Brits in it....Cmon Mark.
Ppplllleeeeeaaaassseeeee (it won't)
I can just see it now....El Alamein with a Tobruk expansion....Make it happen
@@johnhalley974 They'll do Firghting First (Flying Pig Games' main audience is US), or Italy most likely.
Firghting?
'Bonsai charges'.... :) Sorry.
blame the hedge funds...
Reminds me of my ole AH games.... why would they just update them and reissue ?
Avalon Hill (owned by Hasbro) won't do it. Mark found a work a round by making a game that's basically the same but different enough.
The Players Aid thanks for the feedback... really enjoying your channel since getting back into board gaming last year
For me OST is better than Conflict of heroes.
Alexander...
Your wife called.
She wants her shirt back.
(tee hee)
Lol
The shirt I'm wearing now is almost exactly the same, but a v-neck. Not everyone is afraid of wearing color!
@@twentysides V-Neck?!?!
The 70's called...
They want their shirts back!
tee hee
Not sure why you're comparing OST to CC. Totally different style of game. Instead compare to LNL, SL/ASL, BoB, CoH, ATS, Warstorm, '65, LHY, etc.
Style is very different, sure, but the scale is not.
Please can you give us rewards on stan.me?