Your tribe's leader has been captured and imprisoned on a small island in the north. Since he's the only one of your tribe who is smart enough to build a fire you must rescue him. Your other mission is to capture all the ancient relics. Most of them are owned by the natives of the land you're on. I called it hard because if you're playing it for the first time and you don't have a good plan then it might be tough. I made most of this level and wrote all the text. My brother Adam designed some of the minor native's islands. In case you haven't figured it out yet, most of the level comprises of water. I suggest not using "reveal map" because it's cheap and it's more fun without it. Make sure you put the Bitmap image in the Age of Empires folder, not the scenario folder. And don't forget to put Xerxes on the hill. Cameron.
One word in the beginning: I wasn't able to win this scenario. I survived but I have no idea what I could do against these Heavy Cats.
Playability: 4.5
This scenario is really fun! Although it's simple B&D it's very tough. You start on a small island with enough ressources to capture some others from the Natives. If you pay tribute the United Republic will ally with you. This makes it a lot easier but even with them as allies I couldn't beat the greek.
Balance: 3.5
Well, at first I thought I'd be under attack the whole time. Unfortunately it's just in the beginning. As soon as you reach Iron Age (within 10 minutes) you're the strongest player on the map due to your ships. Now I started thinking this scenario would be very easy. Again I was wrong. Totally wrong. You must invade the Greek island which I found simply impossible. I'm not the best player around, probably less than medium skilled. If someone else plays this scenario and manages to beat the red he might give you 4 or 5 pints here.
Creativity: 2
Creativity was quite poor. You start on an island with some initial buildings and units. Expanding your power you move from island to island, destroy the Natives and gather their ressources. In the end there's a big fight with the Greek. Victory conditions are all basic: Get the 5 War Chests and don't let your hero be killed. The only good point is that paying tribute allows you to ally with the yellow player. Btw: Your initial ally (brown) simply doesn't do anything - maybe the AI or Per file is corrupted.
Map Design: 2.5
The map is average. Cities are placed upon the islands between some trees. Mines are clumped together and there are no roads. The sea mainly consists of deep waters and it's too big imho. All this could have been placed on a medium map and if the designer added some eye candy or at least placed some nice mixed forests with grass patches the score here would be 1 or 1.5 higher.
Story/Instructions: 4
The story was nothing really new ("Our leader is captured - rescue him") but it was not only 2 lines. The bitmap in the beginning is ok and instructions are all clear. The hints are very good although even with them I couldn't make it.
Additional Comments:
IICDO
Posted on 01/19/07 @ 02:27 PM
Rating
2.8
Breakdown
Playability
4.0
Balance
4.5
Creativity
2.0
Map Design
2.0
Story/Instructions
1.5
Playability: 4
I had a good time playing this scenario. As said in the prior review it is a basic build and destroy. It’s hard but not unbeatable. Starting on a small island you need to keep an eye on your hero or he is lost. Put him to work fast hacking his way out. (If you pay tribute the United Republic will ally with you.) I didn’t as I was attacked while patrolling and fought back. After taking out the natives I set to work on their destruction
Balance: 4.5
I had imagined being assaulted right off but after a few minutes it dies down. With enough ships you own the water and can travel unharmed throughout the map. You must invade the Greek island, which is next to impossible. It proved to be lengthy battles so take care with your resources. It turns into naval on land engagements then moving to take land step by step. Fun fun fun!
If you succeed it is worth the battles.
Creativity: 2
Look at the year made before deciding on the creativity level. I would imagine in 04 we did not have the design capabilities we have today. Still the designer could have used more effort. Victory conditions are all basic: Get the 5 War Chests and don't let your hero be killed. You move from island to island, destroying the enemies and gathering resources. In the end there's a big fight with the Greek. Your ally which is the brown player has some ships out there yet does nothing to aid you.
Map Design: 2
Again we have to look at the year it was made as the map proves to be map average. It looks as if it was just placed here and there to give it substance. You have cities or towns placed upon the islands between some trees. The sea is a mix of water and deep water. Adding some eye candy or at least placed some nice mixed forests with grass patches the score here would be higher. The bitmap in is just ok.
Story/Instructions: 1.5
No history but then again it was just a story. Your tribe's leader has been captured and imprisoned on a small island in the north. You must rescue him. Your other mission is to capture all the ancient relics. The instructions are clear. I never use the hints until after the game, are good. The aftermath and loss stories leave something to be desired