Paratrooper Review 1

	Rating	grade (1-10)
	Graphic Presentation	8
	Rules	9
	Playability	8
	Replay Value	8
	Overall Result:	8,25

PRO	Great introductory module, perfect for getting into the ASL system, ownership of the 1st core module (Beyond Valor) is not required because Paratrooper contains all counters and components...
CONTRA	...except some boards from Squad Leader!

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ASL Module #2:
Paratrooper
Review #1 written by: Andreas Ludwig

Graphic Presentation All ASL modules look very good, but of course personal preferences have to be considered here. The geomorphic mapboards that are used in this tactical level consim since the old days of Squad Leader didn't change much over the course of time and that is also true for the counters. Some folks consider the look of these maps and counters a bit "dusty" and old fashioned when compared to newer games or to those who concentrate on an impressive graphical appearance (for example Lock 'N Load). I consider the way how the boards are done timeless, because the designers found a good compromise between clear information for game purposes and good optical quality. ASL is on the whole heavy on information and that is true for the counters as well: they get their job done and all the information the counters have to handle are presented in a clear fashion. The game box content is therefore of the same quality as in the other ASL modules and that means pretty good, although there may be better looking games out there. I personally like both the maps and the counters and wouldn't agree lightly on any changes to them.

Rules Paratrooper is using the ASLRB - therefore no more notes on this are necessary. My in-depth review of the rulebook can be found here.

Playability
Paratrooper was considered to be an introductory module (although it's actually module no. 2 in the series), for all those to whom the full jump into Beyond Valor is too expensive. Because of this it contains Chapter K which is introducing the first steps in a humorous and easy style. Paratrooper provides all pieces and counters which are necessary to play the enclosed scenarios. The 1st ed. module comes with board 24, but possession of boards 1-4 from Squad Leader and of the ASLRB is still required. The 2nd ed. of Para already contains boards 2, 4 and 24 but beyond that it has the same content as the 1st ed - but without Chapter K, which is now included in the 2nd ed. ASLRB.

The scenarios try to lead the new player into the game system step by step but they can't hide that they were made for players already familiar with Squad Leader. Their intent is to assist them in switching over to the new system. For bloody noobs this module can turn out to be a bit tricky because it doesn't have a real PI ("Programmed Instruction") structure. Thus the newbie sits in front of his first scenario and has to search for those parts of the Rulebook that address the matters relevant in this scenario. Without any experience with this kind of games, this can get somewhat difficult. In addition, the first scenario already uses mortars in the OOB, so it's necessary to read through Chapter C while making these first steps - which is complicating things even more... more than necessary in an introductory module.

Besides these difficulties, the given scenarios are doing a good job with introducing the ASL mechanics. Beyond that, they are providing very interesting situations full of tension which don't get boring even after several replays. The scenarios differ in the numbers of units in play so you have small scenarios with just a few units and some complex ones, too - although even the complex scenarios are still on the easy side of things - compared to many other ASL scenarios.

Replay Value The replay value is - as it is with all ASL scenarios - very high. If one starts with Paratrooper the wish to dive in deeper into the ASL world will eventually come automatically and then it's necessary to buy Beyond Valor. But even then I'd like to play Le Manoir from time to time ;-)

Creativity The whole ASL system is one of the most creative games out there.

Simulation Value Very high. Even the ASL introductory module is "full" ASL and therefore belongs to the "King's Class" of historical Conflict Simulation.

Solitaire Playability As with all ASL scenarios, you can play these alone but ASL is best played against a human opponent - that's the core of its fun.

Can be compared to Paratrooper can be compared to all other ASL modules, or because of the same topic, to any other tactical wargame. Even the introductory module is not really comparable to Squad Leader because it uses the much more complicated ASL rules. Nevertheless SL players have some advantages and can get a bit faster into the system than absolute beginners in this genre.

Short Review Paratrooper was our first ASL Module, for Beyond Valor (ASL module no. 1) was difficult to get due to its OOP status at that time. It wasn't as difficult for us to get into Paratrooper as we had expected because we had some SL experience and gladly realized that the rules were written clearly and rather precisely - at least when compared to the SL rules. The scenarios are all great fun and give a good feeling and insight what ASL actually is about. But the value of Paratrooper as an introductory module today is somewhat obsolete because MMP published the ASL Starter Kit (ASLSK) which - for 25 bucks - is containing everything necessary to play the game: maps (on thick paper, not mounted like the old boards!), counters, markers and 12 pages of elementary rules - so you don't even need the ASLRB. From what I heard about this, it seems that the SK is the easier and cheaper way to try out if ASL is really something what a player is looking for. But I personally still think that Paratrooper - even more so when you have somebody at hand to help you along - is the better way to go. The point is that Paratrooper is "full" ASL while the ASLSK fades out many - even important - rules in order to keep it simple. This may be helpful for the newbie at first but it is making it difficult to get some help from veteran players or to really play with them to learn the game. That's because it's probably very difficult for an experienced ASL player to "forget" all those rules that are part of regular ASL games, but which play no role in the ASLSK. Paratrooper is still the best way to get into ASL, imho.

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ASL Module #2: Paratrooper Review #1	written by: Andreas Ludwig
Graphic Presentation	All ASL modules look very good, but of course personal preferences have to be considered here. The geomorphic mapboards that are used in this tactical level consim since the old days of Squad Leader didn't change much over the course of time and that is also true for the counters. Some folks consider the look of these maps and counters a bit "dusty" and old fashioned when compared to newer games or to those who concentrate on an impressive graphical appearance (for example Lock 'N Load). I consider the way how the boards are done timeless, because the designers found a good compromise between clear information for game purposes and good optical quality. ASL is on the whole heavy on information and that is true for the counters as well: they get their job done and all the information the counters have to handle are presented in a clear fashion. The game box content is therefore of the same quality as in the other ASL modules and that means pretty good, although there may be better looking games out there. I personally like both the maps and the counters and wouldn't agree lightly on any changes to them.
Rules	Paratrooper is using the ASLRB - therefore no more notes on this are necessary. My in-depth review of the rulebook can be found here.
Playability	Paratrooper was considered to be an introductory module (although it's actually module no. 2 in the series), for all those to whom the full jump into Beyond Valor is too expensive. Because of this it contains Chapter K which is introducing the first steps in a humorous and easy style. Paratrooper provides all pieces and counters which are necessary to play the enclosed scenarios. The 1st ed. module comes with board 24, but possession of boards 1-4 from Squad Leader and of the ASLRB is still required. The 2nd ed. of Para already contains boards 2, 4 and 24 but beyond that it has the same content as the 1st ed - but without Chapter K, which is now included in the 2nd ed. ASLRB. The scenarios try to lead the new player into the game system step by step but they can't hide that they were made for players already familiar with Squad Leader. Their intent is to assist them in switching over to the new system. For bloody noobs this module can turn out to be a bit tricky because it doesn't have a real PI ("Programmed Instruction") structure. Thus the newbie sits in front of his first scenario and has to search for those parts of the Rulebook that address the matters relevant in this scenario. Without any experience with this kind of games, this can get somewhat difficult. In addition, the first scenario already uses mortars in the OOB, so it's necessary to read through Chapter C while making these first steps - which is complicating things even more... more than necessary in an introductory module. Besides these difficulties, the given scenarios are doing a good job with introducing the ASL mechanics. Beyond that, they are providing very interesting situations full of tension which don't get boring even after several replays. The scenarios differ in the numbers of units in play so you have small scenarios with just a few units and some complex ones, too - although even the complex scenarios are still on the easy side of things - compared to many other ASL scenarios.
Replay Value	The replay value is - as it is with all ASL scenarios - very high. If one starts with Paratrooper the wish to dive in deeper into the ASL world will eventually come automatically and then it's necessary to buy Beyond Valor. But even then I'd like to play Le Manoir from time to time ;-)
Creativity	The whole ASL system is one of the most creative games out there.
Simulation Value	Very high. Even the ASL introductory module is "full" ASL and therefore belongs to the "King's Class" of historical Conflict Simulation.
Solitaire Playability	As with all ASL scenarios, you can play these alone but ASL is best played against a human opponent - that's the core of its fun.
Can be compared to	Paratrooper can be compared to all other ASL modules, or because of the same topic, to any other tactical wargame. Even the introductory module is not really comparable to Squad Leader because it uses the much more complicated ASL rules. Nevertheless SL players have some advantages and can get a bit faster into the system than absolute beginners in this genre.
Short Review	Paratrooper was our first ASL Module, for Beyond Valor (ASL module no. 1) was difficult to get due to its OOP status at that time. It wasn't as difficult for us to get into Paratrooper as we had expected because we had some SL experience and gladly realized that the rules were written clearly and rather precisely - at least when compared to the SL rules. The scenarios are all great fun and give a good feeling and insight what ASL actually is about. But the value of Paratrooper as an introductory module today is somewhat obsolete because MMP published the ASL Starter Kit (ASLSK) which - for 25 bucks - is containing everything necessary to play the game: maps (on thick paper, not mounted like the old boards!), counters, markers and 12 pages of elementary rules - so you don't even need the ASLRB. From what I heard about this, it seems that the SK is the easier and cheaper way to try out if ASL is really something what a player is looking for. But I personally still think that Paratrooper - even more so when you have somebody at hand to help you along - is the better way to go. The point is that Paratrooper is "full" ASL while the ASLSK fades out many - even important - rules in order to keep it simple. This may be helpful for the newbie at first but it is making it difficult to get some help from veteran players or to really play with them to learn the game. That's because it's probably very difficult for an experienced ASL player to "forget" all those rules that are part of regular ASL games, but which play no role in the ASLSK. Paratrooper is still the best way to get into ASL, imho.