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Return of the Lizards v1.1
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Author |
File Description |
Swolte (id: swolte) |
Posted on 11/26/05 @ 03:20 PM
File Details |
Ruleset: |
AoW: SM - Unofficial Patch 1.4 |
Map Size: |
M |
Levels: |
2 |
Single Player?: |
Yes |
Co-Op vs. AI?: |
No |
PBEM/Hotseat?: |
No |
Multiplayer Online?: |
No |
# of Wizards: |
3 |
# of players: |
1 |
Skill Level: |
Advanced |
Password Protected: |
No |
After user feedback, independents were too strong/frequent, funding proved too low and directions weren't specific enough to play this map *blind* and have fun at the same time.
I've still kept the map challenging and on an 'Advanced' level. The beginning should be clearer and not as frustrating now.
CHANGES TO V1.1
- Southern Beach area provides more resources and potential to explore and conquer.
- Overall, independents pre-placed on the map are weakened.
- Double Starting Gold and Mana.
- Clearer directions to bonus areas and Lubnar.
- Defenders on Mines near potential starting areas are set to 'weak'.
- Waterfall (because it's so cool!)
Again, the map is very challenging and uses city limits to give the AI strong advantages.
At least you'll die in the end with having had some more hope in the beginning!!
;) |
Pages: [1] 2 » Last » | Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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Chat Noir |
Posted on 11/27/05 @ 10:57 PM
I don't look at scenarios before I play them, so I can't say anything about the design of the map.
What I can say is: this map is unplayable.
You start out with your wizard, a mermaid and a slop. Should you manage to survive the travel to the mainland, you will be busy defending one (!) mine. You will fail. The good thing is: you will die before you run out of gold (you lose gold from the start) or mana (likewise).
IF you were given a hero from the beginning, that hero would be at level 30 before you even began to explore the mainland.
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Hermes666 |
Posted on 12/04/05 @ 05:17 AM
To my "friend" Chat Noir:
If you don´t like demanding and hard maps, simply don´t play them. But don´t give bad marks for maps only because you can´t win them. Others can. If you created a map by yourself, you would know that before you put it in the net, you play it several times.
To guys like you, I can only say: If they´re too straong, you´re too weak...
To Swolte: nice map, really changelling. When I finished it, I will give it a fair rating. |
NTJedi |
Posted on 12/06/05 @ 03:03 PM
I haven't played or rated the map... but the skill level says "Advanced". Based on what I've read in the forums this should be moved to Expert or higher. Looks like a fun challenge.[Edited on 12/06/05 @ 03:04 PM]
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Stillborn |
Posted on 12/08/05 @ 04:02 PM
Ok I have no idea what chat noir is talking about, this is a challenging map, That is its purpose. This is no cake walk for newbies.
And if you enjoy a challenging, well scripted, well built, and interesting map, well this is for you.
If however you cant handle any higher level cognitive thinking then maybe you should go try an easier map, instead of demanding that the map should be dumbed down.
[Edited on 12/08/05 @ 04:03 PM]
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psykitty |
Posted on 12/08/05 @ 06:40 PM
Playability: 5
This map *IS* very difficult, but looking at the thread now, several people seem to be doing pretty well with it. It could just be that you need to try more than twice. :)
Balance: 5
I'm not sure how you're supposed to judge balance for a singleplayer map... I mean, you certainly don't start on equal footing with the Nomads...
Creativity: 5
I think maps about the lizards returning *have* been done before. (IIRC, I remember seeing an earlier map, for normal SM or AOW2, called 'Return of the Lizards' or something to that effect), but the way it's shown here is very effective, in part because of the uPatch itself.
Map Design: 5
While not the most outlandish of the uPatch maps, Return of the Lizards has a realistic, natural feel to it. And, come on, it looks great!
Story/Instructions: 5
Story is well-written, concise, and interesting. And did I mention concise? Personally, if a map's description is too long, I just won't read it. This one is about my ideal length.
(In my own maps, I tend to write loooong descriptions, but let's just ignore that, shall we?:p)
As for instructions, you *can* reach Lubnar by going Northeast. Here's what you do:
-From where your wizard and boat start, make a beeline to the coast. You will reach a weird structure. If you get close enough, you'll get a message talking about the structure.
-Step on the structure. The swamp will move, and some turtles(Dragon, Ballista, Catapult) will pop out.
-Ditch the boat for the turtles.
-At this point, you no longer need to go northeast. You'll have to go a little further into the swamp, but not TOO far. The turtles will help fight anything that comes your way.
-Look around the coastline opposite the structure. You should run into a crocodile. (It's concealed, so you won't see it unless you get right next to it.)
-Kill this crocodile.
-It was guarding a path directly to Lubnar! Huzzah!
Additional Comments:
*sigh*, I really intended this to be a short review. Oh well. |
rat_peddler |
Posted on 12/10/05 @ 04:01 PM
This rating is for the orginal version posted with the Mod. I won in 235 turns.
I gave playability a 4 and story instructions a 4 because of needing 3 attempts to get started on the right foot.
I gave balance a 4 only because the AIs have a huge advantage. For some this is fun (myself included). However, people should be aware this is a difficult mpap.
It is great map for those who want a challenge.
It looks like v1.1 addresses some of my concerns as well.
[Edited on 12/10/05 @ 04:07 PM]
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Uncut Dragon |
Posted on 12/15/05 @ 06:28 PM
I think everyone else has pretty much said it already ... this is a tough map, but if you're up for a challenge, it's a lot of fun to play. Be prepared to restart often in the beginning, until you get the hang of what needs to be done.
Docked the Balance a bit, although (as someone else mentioned), not sure how you rate this for a SP map. It's not balanced by any stretch of the imagination ... but then isn't that the whole point?
Also docked Instructions a bit, as it is a bit tough figuring out where you should be going early on. Not just getting to Lubner, but after as well. You really have to move quickly in the beginning so that you're ready when King Lir comes knocking. However, I didn't find that a problem personally - restarts that quickly really aren't painful. And each time you had a better idea of what to do.
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takolin |
Posted on 12/17/05 @ 02:38 AM
Playability: 5
The playability was quite good. Just a forward AI massacre after I was driven back by it.
Balance: 5
An SP-map don't have to be balanced, but you have to have a chance to win. I did so it was balanced enough, and I consider myself not a very good player.
Creativity: 5
There were some nice elements in this map that I haven't seen befor. Ofcourse the patch helps in this aspect.
Map Design: 5
Probally the sale coments as on creativity. Nicely decorated.
Story/Instructions: 3
Not much of a story and the instructions weren't always right. I used the old version and the instruction of fellow forummembers and I went directly northwards.
Additional Comments:
I had a great time playing this map. I provided a challenge and I manage to win. I was driven back by the AI to the underground, but runemasters are your friend against firedomain.[Edited on 12/17/05 @ 02:38 AM]
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lol_for_life |
Posted on 12/20/05 @ 06:39 PM
Chat Noir Bad call I liked this map its hard i need a good challenge once in a while. good job!
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Thundarr |
Posted on 07/20/07 @ 12:05 AM
I played 1.0 - I'll have to check 1.1 later
The playability was quite good. It took me a couple of tries to figure out where the dragonship was and one more after the A.I. crushed me for making a tactical error. Once I started fresh with a new game plain it proved to be challenging and hard but quite satisfying to win.
Balance: 5
A SP-map is balanced if says it is hard and it is without being possible. I have to admit I was questioning swolte's parentage until I figured out the correct strategy.
Creativity: 4.5
There were some nice elements in this map and the events proved challenging. Gotta love the rebirth of the lizards. Lots of varied terrain and the bridges with the sea monsters are to die for. (literally)
Map Design: 5
Good use of the swamp and water area. Never did get to look at some of the underground stuff, too busy surviving.
Story/Instructions: 3
Brief story and the instructions weren't always right. (probably fixed in 1.1)
Additional Comments:
I had a great time playing this map after the initial frustration. The trick is to balance building and buying units. It provides a tough challenge and I enjoyed figuring out how to win without looking at the map. You could make it even more challenging by giving the Northling wizard an island and city but you might have to cut back on the hordes that land.
Kudos to swolte. Great challenge without being impossible.[Edited on 07/20/07 @ 12:07 AM]
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Pages: [1] 2 » Last » |
HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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4.4 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 4.5 | Balance | 4.3 | Creativity | 4.5 | Map Design | 4.6 | Story/Instructions | 3.9 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 1,490 |
Favorites: [] | 1 |
Size: | 185.34 KB |
Added: | 11/26/05 |
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