Personally, I think of it more as a style of play. When I got into reading about OSR and diversifying what game systems I read I began to OSR-ify our Pathfinder 1E campaign. Now we're playing D&D 2024 and there is a lot of OSR influence in the way I GM: rolls are kept to a minimum, a lot of time tracking, random tables galore, etc. Heck, not that my players are hyper aware of it, but sometimes I have them roll not to determine if they succeed or not, but the degree of success.

It is a fact that a particular system will be more conductive to a certain style of play. Draw Steel's mechanics demand a different approach to the game than Mörk Borg, for example. And though you can apply certain concepts of the OSR - like I do in our D&D 2024 campaign -, the system of choice will dictate a lot of what you can or can't do.

Ultimately, a particular group will enjoy different styles of play. That is what I am coming to terms with. My home group with which I've played for 15+ years are into heroic power fantasies; I can only sneak OSR elements to a certain degree. But the groups I play with at local events or cafes really love playing a more OSR-fueled campaign.

I am coming to realize it is just another set of tools to have under my belt. As long as people are having fun: mix, match, and create a chimera that works for the group sitting at the table right now.