Over the past couple of years, I’ve been trying very hard not to add another tactical game system to the collection. As many of you know, I’m a big fan of the Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit series, and honestly, I thought I was pretty well set. But after hearing so many positive things about Old School Tactical, my resistance finally started to crack. When the Version 5 Kickstarter launched, I decided it was time to jump into the Old School Tactical pool and see what all the excitement was about.

When everything finally arrived, I wasted no time putting together an unboxing video. Right out of the gate, I was impressed. The overall production quality really stood out, from the maps and counters to the player aids and packaging. You can tell a lot of care went into the presentation of the game. As a wargamer, there’s something special about opening a new system for the first time, sorting through the components, and already starting to imagine those tense battlefield moments before the first scenario even hits the table.

I already knew the folks at Flying Pig Games put out a fantastic product because I own games from their Black Swan Series, including A Most Fearful Sacrifice and The Rock at Chickamauga. So going in, my expectations were already pretty high.

As I opened the box, I really wasn’t surprised by the attention to detail that went into everything packed inside this hefty package. And when I say hefty, I mean it. There is a ton of game packed into these big boxes. From the maps and counters to the overall presentation, everything immediately feels premium and well thought out.

Now, these are not bargain-bin games by any stretch, but the moment you crack open the packaging, you quickly understand where your money went. The quality is obvious right from the start. This is one of those purchases where you can tell the publisher cared about delivering an experience, not just a box full of cardboard. And let’s be honest… as wargamers, opening a giant box packed with maps, counters, and scenarios feels a little like Christmas morning anyway.

There were also a couple of Kickstarter-exclusive components included that really added some nice extra touches to the package. The neoprene boards feel fantastic on the table, and the custom dice just add a little extra personality to the system. Toss in five additional scenarios, and the Kickstarter version absolutely felt worth it to me.

Now, I’ll be honest, I’m generally not a huge Kickstarter guy. I tend to be pretty selective about where I throw my gaming dollars. But when an established company like Flying Pig Games launches a campaign for a topic or system that really interests me, I don’t mind jumping in and supporting it. In this case, I’m glad I did. Everything about this package feels like a labor of love for tactical wargamers, and those extra touches helped make the whole experience feel even more special.

The rulebook comes in at around 40 pages, but don’t let that scare you off. It’s actually very approachable and easy to read. One thing I immediately appreciated was how well the rules are organized. The layout and examples do a great job of helping you learn the system without making you feel like you’re cramming for a college history exam. Everything seems designed to get players into the action as smoothly as possible.

The counters are larger than what many tactical gamers may be used to, and honestly, I think they work great. They fit perfectly on the 1-inch hexes of the absolutely gorgeous map boards, making the battlefield easy to read without feeling cluttered. That may sound like a small thing, but after years of squinting at tiny counters in some systems, my eyes definitely appreciate it.

Add in the information cards and the Luck cards, and this package really starts to shine. The player aids are also very well done, clean, easy to follow, and attractive on the table. Nothing feels cheap or thrown together here. The overall presentation and usability of Old School Tactical Version 5 makes a really strong first impression right out of the box.

Overall, I have to say that Old School Tactical Version 5 has completely impressed me right out of the box. The components are outstanding, the maps look fantastic, the counters feel great in hand, and the entire package just screams quality. You can tell that Flying Pig Games wanted players to have an experience, not just another game sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

And speaking of shelves… apparently my plan to avoid getting sucked into another tactical gaming system lasted about as long as a green lieutenant leading a frontal assault across open terrain. So much for self-control. One minute I was saying, “I really don’t need another tactical system,” and the next thing you know I’m sorting counters, admiring neoprene mats, and trying to figure out where this monster box is going to fit in the game room. Wargamers know exactly how this story goes.

Now comes the fun part… getting this beast to the table. I’m genuinely excited to dive into the scenarios, learn the system, and see how it plays once the dice start rolling and the smoke hits the battlefield. First impressions are extremely positive, and I have a feeling this one is going to see a lot of table time.

So now I want to hear from all of you. Did you jump into the Kickstarter campaign for Old School Tactical Version 5? What are your thoughts on the system so far? And if anyone is looking to get a game in, reach out to me. I have a feeling I’m about to spend a whole lot more time pushing these counters around the table.

If this looks like something you would like to explore, go to Flying Pig Games and tell them Cardboard Commander sent you.