Operational Studies Group (1979, $4.50)
Designed by Joe Bisio
Players
Playing Time 1/2 to 3 hours
Period Medieval
Scale Tactical
Turn abstract
Map abstract areas
Unit individuals, small groups

Components
1 ziploc bag
1 17"x22" unmounted mapsheet
100 die-cut counters
1 8-page rulebook
1 folio coversheet
1 1/22/80 errata sheet

Counter Manifest
40 yellow (5 blanks)
20 brown (7 blanks)
14 blue (2 blanks)
10 green (2 blanks)
10 white (1 blank)
6 red (2 blanks)

OSG says:

“As Robin Hood you must gain the support of staunch friends such as Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marion; rob the rich to give to the poor; and recruit a growing band of merry outlaws to give battle to the Sheriff’s men. As the Sheriff of Nottingham, you must insure the safe passage of the wealthy through the area, tax local villages to raise money, capture and hang the outlaw leaders, and help prevent the return of good King Richard from the Crusades.”

The reviewers say:

“[T]he game is every bit as lusty, lively, and fun as the legend itself. All the characters from Munch the Miller to Maid Marion are here to play their parts ... Having been a Robin Hood enthusiast through Errol Flynn’s and Richard Green’s portrayals, the game meant a lot to me. It’s fun and fast, and for you Sheriff’s out there, it’s cheap.” John D. Burtt in Campaign 102.

“[A] fairly easy game to play ... moves along quickly. If Robin can survive long enough to raise his men into action, the game becomes a tense battle of forest ambushes and even storming castles. The little extras add a touch of realism to the legendary game which make it extremely enjoyable.” Richard A. Edwards in The Space Gamer 34.

“The game is played on a map of Sherwood Forest and its surrounding area, including the castles of Gisbourne, Lincoln and Nottingham. The map is a loose representation of the medieval field system using the field boxes to regulate movement ... both sides have plenty of tasks to keep them occupied as well as chasing each other around the countryside ... The thirty game turns flow through very smoothly and the game has no dull patches ... Combat is divided into three phases: archery, melee, and personal combat/capture ...

When the game is first played the Sheriff player seems to have an advantage ... however after a couple of games it becomes clear that the game is in fact well balanced.” Kieron Doyle in The Wargamer 13.

“It was great. It took about three hours and only slowed down toward the end. We cannot remember who won. It doesn’t matter. Robin Hood is the game of the book, of the movie, of the TV program, of the legend. If you liked any of those, get it.” Stephen Newberg with Dave Isby in Fire & Movement 23.

Comments

A very attractive game for its time, thanks to the typically outstanding graphic design of Larry Catalano. Wonderfully captures the spirit of the legend from a “campaign perspective” with rules for captives, ransom, murder, hanging, disguise, robbery, secret passages, an archery contest, and marriage.

Collector’s Notes

Surprisingly easy to find. Boone 4th lists low/high/average auction prices of 8/10/9. In Boone 3rd, auction prices were 5/10/7 and sale listings were 6/20/ 10.

Epilogue

Avalon Hill reprinted several of the OSG minigames, including The Legend of Robin Hood. The 1982 reprint came in a small box and featured a mounted mapboard. The AH reprint lists for 7/13/9 in Boone 4th. Beware of confusion with the later unrelated AH game Legends of Robin Hood.

Other OSG minigames

Arcola; Battles of the Hundred Days; Star Quest; The 20th Maine.

Capsule Profiles:

Longest Day
LA Lawless
Last Frontier
Laser Tank
Lesnaja 1708
Legend of Robin Hood
Lords of the Middle Sea
Luftschiff