This guy goes all the way back to the original 'white box' D&D and tries to figure out what he can do with nothing other than the rules in that box, for a one-shot adventure
https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/2603/roleplaying-games/reactions-to-oddthere's a series of articles, all of which are pretty interesting, and a stark reminder of just how far we've come in the development of game rules over the past 40+ years.
Of course, even though I’ve never played OD&D, I’ve learned quite a bit of it here and there over the course of my two decades in the hobby. So it’s not like I was coming to it with completely fresh eyes.
But this was, in fact, the first time I’ve actually read these rules cover-to-cover. (Actually, I’ve read them several times now.) And I’ve found the process thought-provoking in many ways. So I’ve decided to start a new series of essays, of which this is the first: Reactions to OD&D.
I’m not entirely sure where these essays will take me. I have a few notes laid out, so I know that some of them will deal with history; and some of them will deal with game design; and some of them will deal with tradition. Some of it will be merely reflective and some of it will be practical.
But I will utter a word of caution before I begin: One thing these essays will not be is a pleasant romp down a nostalgia-filled lane. The OD&D rules are, in many ways, remarkable and fascinating historical documents. But — while I am looking forward to my one-shot as an entertaining and quirky evening of throwback fun — there’s no way that I would spend any notable length of time playing this game.
So if you’re grognard, I warn you to beware: I am going to be critical of OD&D’s flaws… of which there are many.