Having successfully established on the coastal edge of a small archaic island, you realize an envious rival has settled in your neighborhood. Lacking essential war preparations, expelling your visitor will be a struggle beginning with the establishment of basic structures, the recruitment of primitive warriors, and the conquering of the local inhabitants. Myths have proclaimed fortune remains in ancient ruins within the isle's center; however, its strange topography twists and churns from a force seemingly unnatural.
- ideal for short and sweet 1v1 (human players)
- completely balanced sides (symmetrical)
- primary terrain is swamp for no native race terrain bonuses/penalties (increased balance)
I only worry about turn effects. Meaning, the player starting first, being able to take over resources faster and position better. The fact that the recruitment structures have no defenders and the lack of Independents (guard area-indies is ideal to cope with turn effects in pbem's) add to that effect.
The areas aren't breathtaking but I like the swamp terrain in the underground!
Timelord, pay attention to this one as a good candidate for a potential competetition map!
:)
My compliments!
rat_peddler
Posted on 08/14/06 @ 08:42 PM
Rating
3.8
Breakdown
Playability
4.0
Balance
5.0
Creativity
3.0
Map Design
4.0
Story/Instructions
3.0
Playability: 4
Get to start from beginning with low level units even early battles are somewhat fun.
Balance: 5
Looks very even especially for 1 on 1 play.
Creativity: 3
Nothing really new here.
Map Design: 4
Nice looking map with interesting navigational issues.
Story/Instructions: 3
None really to speak of.
Additional Comments:
Rating as a single player map, without assistance even a CPU Emporer isn't much of a challenge.
Beast711
Posted on 05/26/08 @ 03:28 PM
Playability: 5
Get to start from beginning with low level units even early battles are somewhat fun.
Balance: 5
Looks very even especially for 1 on 1 play.
Creativity: 5
Excellent form.
Map Design: 5
Very Conceptual.
Story/Instructions: 5
Read books for stories.
One of the most interesting maps ever.
KillKenny
Posted on 04/03/09 @ 05:03 PM
Rating
4.0
Breakdown
Playability
4.0
Balance
5.0
Creativity
3.0
Map Design
4.0
Story/Instructions
4.0
I played the map a couple of times against a human player in simultaneous mode.
Playability: 4
I wouldn't mind having a small starting army to get things up and running a little faster. This way, not producing anything at start, saving some money and "recruiting" friendly cities seems to be the fastest way to start out. Not sure if that's intentional. Still like the concept of starting out with very little. Also, most of the cities/structures in close proximity to the starting point are rather weakly defended so starting out with weak units works quite well.
Balance: 5
The map is symmetrical and I played with simultaneous movements. The only imbalance could arise through a bad mix of random cities/player race, but I actually prefer it this way.
Creativity: 3
Solid ideas. Nothing new really. I don't mind though.
Map Design: 4
I really like the "mealstrom" idea and how it was applied in the look and feel of the map. Love the swamp underground and the different ways to reach and surprise the enemy. Thought the dragon was a bit too strong, in all of the games I played on this map, neither of the players ever found the time to dispose of him. Also, I thought there were a few too many power nodes. After a while you usually control enough not to care about them anymore. A few less might make them more important. Also, I would have liked a couple more exotic units to recruit. Like hydras, dragons etc. I don't mind the missing events since you're close enough to your enemy to be instantly entertained. In the end, I really like the simple but elegant design.
Story/Instructions: 4
Nothing special really. But since it's a multiplayer map and that I don't care about this anyway...