Fine map all round but it is still rather easy. The middle invasions still does not work but I feel that I would be able to handle it very easily. After holding off the first attack I defended the fords with wooden walls and two stone gatehouses. With all the wood I could make loads of weapons and I had a large army by the end of the map. I had little trouble holding off the attacks that reached me, even the lsat invasion proved a walkover. I liked the design of this map - the position of the fort and then the fields surrounding it. It was a nice map to play on with plenty of resources. The map is quite simple - it is a short invaison map where you can build up a full economy very quickly due to the wood. Do have bigger invasions though! Nice short bit of storyline - nice to have some more on the site. Overall, simple but fun - good map - I enjoyed it!
Bismuth
Posted on 03/19/04 @ 12:00 AM
Rating
3.0
Breakdown
Playability
3.0
Balance
2.0
Creativity
3.0
Map Design
4.0
Story/Instructions
3.0
In this scenario you begin with a small established settlement, keep, granary, market and food production already in place. Some military units already exist and there are weapons ready for an armory. The map also offers abundant natural resources to exploit. I dove into play, quickly trying to expand my army and insure resources for future development. The map is perfectly playable, the only bug is an attack that is “announced” but then never shows up. However with so many options and resources available (many ways to win), it lacks the challenge that would keep me coming back to replay it. This might be a good map for a beginning stronghold player who was learning how to use the various features to keep an economy going and defend the settlement. Playability - 3
I won my first try on NORMAL setting with 10% troop losses. Could have been fewer than that but I was careless with my archers in the first attack. I suggest Colosseum increase the size of these attacks to improve balance and sort out what happed to the missing attack. Providing fewer weapons initially and adding events such as bandits or fires would also help. Balance – 2
The layout of this map is much improved from version 1. There is lots of variety, use of rocks, bushes, trees, water, variation in elevation etc. and no bare spots. There are good amounts of arable land and grazing land close to the settlement. Map – 3.5
There aren’t very many structures on the map at the beginning but Colosseum has made a nice aqueduct and watermill. This is a fairly standard plot, maintain the economy and defend against multiple attacks. There are no economic objectives. Creativity - 3
The story is short, three lines. It does explain the basic objectives of the story. I would like to see more to motivate me to win this map. Tell me about the attacking villain. Why is he attacking here and now? Story – 2.5
Colosseum – this good scenario has potential to be much better. Increase the challenge with more attacks and larger attacks. Make it a bit more difficult for the defender to build his economy and army. Expand the story to give more background.