Dean McCullough |
Posted on 05/07/07 @ 05:17 PM
Playability: 2.5
This scenairo takes place towards the end of the Roman era, when the Huns came by and blew apart everything. Generally, it feels like playing a random map with a few subtle changes, as the terrain layout counting for the most. While working your way up from the stone age, you are told to get rid of the 5th and 11th legion, while building a wonder in enemy territory and capturing a relic. This really doesn't make the scenario though. Nothing does. The scenairo is a very simple B&D, and frankly not much else. No matter what you do, in the end you're going to have to blow out all your enemies, as building a wonder in enemy territory can't be accopmlished without getting rid of them first. On the good side, the terrain was rather unorthodox, and forced you to gather and expand much more than normal. This forces you to get rid of enemy bases so you can get at their resources. The brown enemy was rather nasty aswell, and it took full power on both you and your ally to get rid of them. Overall, very simple, RM gameplay.
Balance: 2.6
As explained above, this is rather simple RM gameplay. The ally civ is fairly helpful, and the enemy civs are fairly aggresive. The brown player is the saving grace of the game and requires some thought to get rid of. Situated behind towers and forest, they have an expansive base filled with legions and priests. Not even horse archers will get rid of their legions, so you'll have to find another way. The preists simply convert your archers, and the clogged map is hard to move in. Overall, simple, but effective gameplay. Not different enough than an RM game.
Creativity: 2
Not very creative... The map certainly won't remind you of northern Italy. Moreover, this feels like a random map. You start in the stone age like your ally aswell and have to conquer "Autuis, 5th legion, and 11th legion." Whatever isn't taken from the AOK version doesn't sound convincing, as the story is extensive but relatively mediocre, run-of-the mill drama. The map isn't too poorly done, and features some gaia troops humming around. Other than that, this isn't a real unique piece of work.
Map Design: 3.2
A good job. Looks like a better version of a random map with more detail, lots of "steppe" hills, cliffs and terrain mixes. It doesn't feature enhanced editor magic, but it's decent nonetheless. It looks nice and "full", you can tell the author spent some good time on it.
Story/Instructions: 3.2
Just enough down, and while in my opinion unconvincing, it explains what to do thorooughly and gives you exactly the picture of what you're up to. A bitmap and aftermath is included aswell. Good enough.
Additional Comments:Nothing special, download if you want. You could like it or hate it, frankly depends on mood.
[Edited on 08/28/07 @ 08:13 PM]
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