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Race To Death - Rise Of Evil
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Author |
File Description |
King David |
Posted on 01/22/06 @ 11:51 PM (updated 07/11/07)
File Details |
Ruleset: |
AoW: SM - Unofficial Patch 1.4 |
Map Size: |
L |
Levels: |
3 |
Single Player?: |
Yes |
Co-Op vs. AI?: |
Yes |
PBEM/Hotseat?: |
Yes |
Multiplayer Online?: |
No |
# of Wizards: |
6 |
# of players: |
4 |
Skill Level: |
Advanced |
Password Protected: |
No |
Surface Minimap:
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Cavern Minimap:
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Shadow Minimap:
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LATEST UPDATE: JULY 2007
For those who are familiar with the R2D world, this map will be entirely new, though the surface retains a slight resemblance to the original layout in a few ways (it's all been completely altered, however). The underground bears no resemblance whatsoever to the underground in the original R2D games. The shadow layer is used only for independent, AOW1-style dungeon crawls. The teleporters you see on the map are only used as gateways to the dungeon crawls.
The AI on this map is not limited in movement like Walker was on the original R2D maps. In Single Play testing, play seems to be quite challenging. For PBEM, this map is ideal for experienced players who enjoy spending time on their turns. I don't think two games will be alike. I would suggest beginning a game in FFA (that actually goes with the base story line) and making diplomacy decisions according to the need to collaborate in defeating the AI. Story line follows :
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A long time ago. Long before volcanoes forced their way through the Land's crust and spit their lava like molten blood upon the forests and rivers below. Long before the Land's populace lived in submission of the sweet and mind numbing Opium produced and disbursed by he who would come to be called "Walker".
Long before all of this tragic history comes to pass, these Lands were covered over by a delicate blanket of clean snow and ice and inhabited by a people who had over time evolved to acquire genetic predisposition to their habitat, much superior beings to their distant and low-riding cousins, the Northerling Humans.
This race of people came to be known as the Frostlings, and though they kept to themselves, it was known that they had evolved a wholesome civilization in which no brother or sister hungered or wanted, for the Frostling mindset was built around the assumption that the strongest nation must be the one that demonstrates the highest value in the sum of its parts. And so did the Frostling Nation endure, and did no other race deem it worthwhile to venture too close for much of a look.
And then one day strange red flowers began to appear, surrounded by melted snow and receding ice. It was learned that these flowers were poppies, grown naturally only in much warmer climes. They began to appear more quickly, accompanied at increasing rate by other strange new grasses and vegetation, followed by creatures and peoples the likes of which had not been until then witnessed by Frostling eye.
As the snow melted and receded, the citizens of the Frostling Nation entered into panic, packing their valuables and scattering in a chase to pursue the rapidly diminishing winter habitat. Eventually, a lone hero by the name of Bytor emerged and organized the scattered remnants of the Frostling Nation. He herded them all to Cold Mountain, the only place left that offered the habitat necessary to the Frostling peoples. The Frostling Citizens banded together and, once organized, nominated Bytor as their official Leader.
And then Bytor learned the horrible secret upon which hung the remaining winterlands inhabitable by his people. He was visited by a ghost in a nightmare who showed him that the Snows had not melted naturally. The Ghost showed Bytor many other things that he had not known, and before the sun had arisen, the Ghost had proffered Bytor an option. Seeing it as the only means to preserving what little remained of the Frostling Nation, and with the hope of restoring at least a part of that which had been lost, Bytor accepted the offer and Sold His Soul.
How does it all turn out? Yawnnn....I can't recall.... Even as I type these words, the pen slips from my fingertips and my eyes close in exhaustion. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to finish the story, or perhaps by then you will have figured it out how it ends for yourself.
Enjoy,
KD |
Pages: [1] 2 » Last » | Author | Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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rat_peddler |
Posted on 02/03/06 @ 03:11 PM
Playability: 5
A well designed map.
Balance: 5
Keeping the two allied AIs coupled with the event of one losing it's home city helped here.
Creativity: 5
I like the limits on diplomacy and cities as it forced one to come up with a different approach. The main event was somewhat unique and somewhere the dungeons even though I only explored one of them.
Map Design: 5
Nice mix of terrain even thought I have never quiet understood trees, etc that can grow underground ;-)
Story/Instructions: 5
More story then most. Instructions were fine esp the advice on how to approach. The diplomacy situation with Baytor was a little confusing after his "defeat".
Additional Comments:
I played as the Elves. I got Cold Mountain by about turn 35 or so. The other AIs were defeated and the Frostlings got Walker shortly after I retook Cold Mountain a second time. |
The_Stranger |
Posted on 02/07/06 @ 01:35 AM
My goodness, what a beautiful map! I can understand why Swolte was jealous...in fact, I'm jealous. This map is the sort of thing that inspires other map makers. It's terrain is carefullly crafted and looks authentic--true to the world it depicts. In fact this map at times looks astonishingly life like: simple things, such as rock outcroppings, the way mountains slope down into the water, the use of entrances and exits to different layers of the earth. Kind David, I really admire this map from a aesthetic point of view alone.
But prettiness ain't all this little number has going for it. The gameplay is hard, hurray! With all the complaints about the "stupid," "easy" ai, we should be thankful when a map comes along where the computer players poise a challenge, actually attacking when they should, moving to steal crucial resources, exploring the map with what seems like purpose rather than wandering around desultorily in coal-brained hordes. I haven't checked the events in the editor yet, but I imagine KD must have used events and specific ai settings for some computer units. Great work. I've managed to lose as three out of the four playable wizards so far :D
The writing is, as expected excellent. A homey, grandpappy sort of intro leads to nice individual instructions for each player. I expected that KD might have gotten carried away and was planning to defeat me with event messages rather than the dubious ai, but after turn one they are rare. And, as I mentioned, the quality of the writing is good and events provide useful information.
The map seems balanced in that each player encounters equal difficulty at the start. I haven't played long enough as each one to know what things will be like in the later game, nor have I had enough dealings with old Walker to know how much of a factor he will be. I suppose this means I'll have to play a bit more. Let that be my little cross, then....
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Gabrielil |
Posted on 02/09/06 @ 08:08 AM
Ok. It is one of the best maps I ever played, definitely the hardest and the most challenging one. Even after you are strong and well developed, the game is still challenging unlike most scenarios where from a certain point onward the AI enemy becomes a joke.
Playability: 4
I would have liked to add nothing here except congratulations to the King but it was not perfect in every way so I did not give it a 5. First, there is a repeating bug I found in other scenarios too, that you could not pick up certain items. I think it was the blue pointy hat, which gives you casting specialist IV, but I am not sure because there were other items together with it. Another thing was that after taking Cold Mountain, if you decide not to flee, and resist Walker forces the game is spoiled: Walker won't teleport and actually you won't be able to finish the game. The forces that attack you are not strong enough to defeat any resistance as it said by the spirit of war. Actually I survived their attack whiteout loosing any unit with my six 15 level heroes and some strong well-enchanted units. The third thing is that the map is too crowded for my taste. I would have liked it better with fewer cities and less structures. The situation is that with some fast units (heroes + dragons) you can jump from town to town, taking in the way all the structures, within one round. There is no distance element in the game.
Balance: 1
You cannot talk about balance in this map but that is the point here. However, I think that the super AI's (both of them) are too strong in the beginning. The first time I played the scenario by day 60 or 50, the other 3 playable AI 's were finished, and both Walker and Bytor were sending all their might against me. Now, when they have so much resources and cities, their production capacities were so great that it seemed that no matter how much of their units I slaughtered (and a did it a lot) they keep pumping and pumping stronger and stronger forces until I lost my patience and started all over again.
Creativity: 5
I liked a lot the idea of the map. Very interesting and also original. The Undead berserkers pumping out from the death pits were a very good idea.
Map Design: 5
One of the most beautiful maps I played (or maybe the most). I think if it would have been a XL map the situation would have been even better. As I said earlier, the map looked too crowded for my taste. I am a nature guy, I like more landscape and wandering around the map to get somewhere. Here everything was within rich in one or two rounds (for fast troops). I think with half the towns and structures the map would have looked even better.
Story/Instructions: 4
It was very well worked but I didn't liked the sarcastic note of the story/background. I personally like more "serious" stories, but it was ok from it's own perspective. I liked the heroes names ļ.
Additional Comments:
It definitely set a new standard for map developers and I am eager to see how others will stand the challenge.
Well done King David!!!
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Argonar |
Posted on 02/20/06 @ 06:30 PM
It's a really difficult map, but I love it.
I started 5 times, everytime with an other race, conquered two times Cold Mountain.
All four players have nearly the same starting conditions, so it's good balanced.
At my current game I play halflings, being at turn 80 and I only suvive, cause Walker and Bytor are fighting each other. I think, I will win the game at turn 110.
The key for winning is, to get really fast Cold Mountain. In the last games I was slow, to slow for my allies. Maybe you can attack CM at turn 25 or 30, then you have a really good chance to suvive with your allies.
Sorry for my bad english. |
morgul666 |
Posted on 02/24/06 @ 03:44 AM
Playability: 5
It´s a continuous taking and losing towns, nodes and recource places. I love that! ;-) It´s like the intro of the Pink Panther comic series when Inspector Clauseau paints the advertisment pillar white whilst "Paulchen Panther" walks close behind him, painting it pink ;-)
I don´t think, the map is that hard as some guys stated earlier.
If you really want to know what a challenging map is - try "Marlenes Gnade" from my favourite mapmaker "the Groll" ! It´s the only scenario up to now, I had to start several times because sooner or later, I lost control!
The trick is always the same - raise your heroes and you will beat everybody. I smashed Bytor yesterday in turn 56 with just 5 (high-level) heroes (with approx. 50! items divided among them - do not share out so many!!! ;-)and just 2 maidens with just losing ONE maiden against 3 full stacks - without ANY Area-combat spell! I have all my towns under control and if I lose one, I regain it fast and easily.
I think, Walker will follow soon ;-)
Balance: 5
Have played only the elves but I represent the opinion, that an experienced player wins (almost) every (not totally exaggeratedly hard) map (Greetings to the Groll ;-))) with every starting race.
Creativity: 4
This is the section that, to my thinking, is not state of the art. That doesn´t mean there was no creativity in this map (from Design point of view - it IS definetly one of the most varied scenarios I´ve seen up to now) but creativity is more than the artistic map maping.
It´s bringing up totally new ideas - be it storyline or whatever else.
Map Design: 5
Ok, that`s the section I´d rate with a 7 out of 5 if I could. really, the most beautiful map I´ve seen up to now. I´m almost ashamed, when I compare my work with this one...
Story/Instructions: 4
Nice story (that I haven´t followed to the end yet, but far enough, that I can say it´s a pretty good idea. The only reason, why I rate only 4 is, that you have a looooooong text to read at the beginning, in the middle and probably in the end. But nothing in between... It would have been nicer, to receive new (shorter) parts of the story from time to time.
Additional Comments:
GREAT OUTSTANDING MAP!!! A MUST for EVERYBODY !!!! |
Swolte (id: swolte)
Staff |
Posted on 04/20/06 @ 09:55 AM
Playability: 5
From a multiplayer perspective, something very special has occurred here. This is the first time that the AI really is a challenge. I might actually propose the leaders of these lands to kill off Bytor together and then fight it out!
Balance: 5
I am afraid the map might prove too frustrating to people that are not very adaptive or simply don't have that much experience, though!
People that like a challenge, go for it!!
Creativity: 5
Breathtaking scenery!!
Map Design: 4
Now, I had to deduct a point somewhere as some of the scripts were not working properly and these actually did have a negative impact on existing games (people having to correct). The Altars in the north and south.
For the rest, superb!
Story/Instructions: 5
The master of storytelling strikes again!
I was worried at first that the map would play the same as R2D, but you managed to make it a very different experience! |
Frogmanx84 |
Posted on 08/28/06 @ 12:40 PM
Playability: 5
I just finished the game at turn 116 and there were no bugs or issues with playing the game.
Balance: 5
The balance between the 4 human options is good. The AI is extemely pumped up as it needs to be to make a competitive game out of it.
Creativity: 5
The map is very creative though I didn't take advantage of the dungeons since I couldn't afford to spare my best troops for the job. Still, I appreciate the effort and anyone playing the game will surely see things they haven't seen before. A tremendous job.
Map Design: 5
On the same vein as the creativity, the map design was well suited for the ai to make you stay on your toes even as you gain the upper hand. The map just works very well and really pulls you into its world.
Story/Instructions: 5
The biggest clue you get is the quest to take Cold Mountain which is square in the middle of the map. If you wait to turn 100 though you probably won't make it. After struggling through 20 turns, I finally took some advice on another review and took every decent army I had, including my wizard and marched on Cold Mountain. It took 4 good stacks or what was left of them after numberous lighting storms (don't bother bringing level one units) to win the assault on Cold Mountain on day 28. I thought I was on easy street after that but you'll understand that isn't so if you play it. I about gave up on day 35, but hung in there, dominating and resurrecting some good units and heroes. There are many good items in the game and the heroes are the key to winning.
By day 50 I knew I had some unbeatable stacks and the tide began to turn in my favor. I won the game on day 116 as the halflings.
Additional Comments: A very memorable game, certainly worth playing. Perhaps the items are too powerful, but many players will find the game extremely difficult as it is. I may make some mods to the items and try again. Definitely give this a try if you consider yourself an expert. Its not for the novice.
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SmellySock |
Posted on 10/18/06 @ 06:22 AM
Playability: 5
(This is the first map that I play based on the 1.4 patch - and what a map! Many of the new structures/units have been incorporated in the map, and they seem to fit in perfectly making the
map a lot of fun. I'm now at day 60 (playing as dark elves) and beginning to get the upperhand in the scenario. But who knows, maybe I'm in for a surprise or two :) I like the idea that you'll have to dominate/seduce/resurrect the majority of your army, which makes the strategy somewhat different from what I'm used to.
)
Balance: 4
(Exellent balance (meaning hard), but as you progress in the scenario, your heroes get to strong in my oppinion. Mainly because there are way to many items. I think I have 7 heroes at the moment, and all except one has filled up every 'artifact-slot' and even have some items to spare. With a lot fewer items in the game, each item will become special, and well worth of tough battle to obtain. )
Creativity: 5
(The creativity in the map is truly special. You have put a lot of work into placing all sorts of interresting places in the map, which are often hard to resist to pay a visit, even though your army is badly needed elsewhere. Makes you think of every move :) )
Map Design: 5
(I totally agree with the rest of the reviewers, that your ability to design beatiful maps are very unique. I have tried to make maps in the editor, but I can see that its damn hard (and for me impossible) to get a map to look that much alive - so bravo King David - I salute you! )
Story/Instructions: 4
(I think the map has a good story, and many good hero backgrounds - etc. However I feel that the map could go from excellent to perfect in this catagory if the player was given some more background story every once in a while, or maybe frequent reports from scouts or something, on what was going on in the world. )
Additional Comments:
Simply a great map!!! No excuse for not playing this masterpiece.
I even found the hero King David in one of the ruins and seduced him so he joined my cause. He was actually very easy to seduce, it only took a one blink of an eye from my Maiden of Pain :)
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naecO (id: naeco) |
Posted on 09/19/07 @ 05:50 AM
Playability: 5
The map is very playable and also replayable. I had fun both in single and in PBEMs. Each race has its own challenges to play with.
Balance: 5
The balance is pretty perfect, IMO. Though there're some thoughts in my PBEM games that the elves might be a little unsafe on starting position (receive constant threats from Bytor).
In one of my games, on day 9. I play as Maldevil have managed to capture 6 of Bytor's and Walker's heroes and one other playing as Orc has also managed to capture the similar number of heroes from the enemy. However, there's no such results from the good guys, elves and halflings.
Creativity: 5
The second sequel of Race to Death is created with full of surprises and challenges. Thumbs up! Dungeon feature is very cool !
Map Design: 5
The map is rather symetrical for balance purpose but I don't really see it for author's great designing skill. Beautiful landscape!
Story/Instructions: 5
Good storyline.
Additional Comments:
A very recommended scenario for single play and for PBEM! |
ibobs |
Posted on 12/16/10 @ 02:08 AM
Playability: 5
Balance: 5
Creativity: 5
Map Design: 5
Story/Instructions: 5
Additional Comments:
How did I miss this map!! It is an absolute masterpiece! Well done and belated congrats!!
I have however found a critical flaw in the story line... If you can keep Cold Mountain on the first attempt against the spawning troops of Walker then the story stops, Walker never appears and neither do his Tax Collectors. Playing with dark elf I didnt have holy strike so couldnt win and left the city and everything worked. Playing with elves, you get lots of holy strikes and it is very easy to survive. Then no more spawns and no danger. I would suggest setting the initial spawn events to always at this point until Cold Mountain is taken. Cheers. Everything else is brilliant. It has to be a complete 5 rating. Oh and Happy Christmas![Edited on 12/16/10 @ 02:09 AM]
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HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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4.8 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 4.9 | Balance | 4.5 | Creativity | 4.9 | Map Design | 4.9 | Story/Instructions | 4.7 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 6,533 |
Favorites: [] | 2 |
Size: | 455.26 KB |
Added: | 01/22/06 |
Updated: | 07/11/07 |
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