This is a small map, another scenario in the Irenindor series. Basically, you have a small gatehouse-bridge which you use to fight off several powerful attacks by the Rat. (Scary, I know, but you'll see.) Many times, the Rat's men even get into the keep of the castle! It's a fun map, so I'd suggest a quick download if you're bored!
Playability- A fun little map. Although on normal you have to do absolutely nothing to win, I am rating this from the difficulty of Very Hard. It's quite frantic trying to retreat your men from gatehouse to gatehouse, it can be a pain because of the fact that you have to open two drawbridges to get your guys across. Ditching the second drawbridge on each gatehouse would solve this.
Balance-Its actually quite a good challenge on V.Hard. It's fun to watch the enemy gradually smash your position, and leave you wondering if its possible to win.
Creativity- Nice river idea, but asides from that it's just an invasion.
Map Design- The map design looked good, but I am completely against "one click hills" using the hill tool. I don't think they look particularily big or clever. The rest of the map was actually pretty good, though.
Story-3
Veeeery short. Almost considered a 2, but went for a 3 in the end, as it explains the background and where you are well enough.
Overall, good map. Improve the gatehouse and story issues, and you will score higher.
Bismuth
Posted on 11/27/04 @ 12:00 AM
Rating
3.4
Breakdown
Playability
4.0
Balance
3.0
Creativity
3.0
Map Design
4.0
Story/Instructions
3.0
Crossing the Camford presents a very nicely constructed gate-house bridge consisting of five separate gates, with double drawbridges between. There are some additional defenses on the North-East shore of the river. The defenders are pre-positioned along the length of the bridge and on both shores. Your keep and granary are situated on the South-West shore. There is no economy to manage in this game; everything depends on positioning and directing the military units to defend the bridge.
I played on normal, hard, then very hard. As the previous reviewer has already indicated, this map needs to be played on VERY HARD to provide adequate challenge. Even on this setting the attackers only brought down three of the five gates. All of my swordsmen, pikemen and macemen were still in reserve and unused near the keep. I did not have much trouble with the double drawbridges as I arranged most of my units at the beginning of the game and did not have so many to move later. I played the last part of the game on double-speed.
This was a fun game to play but needs to be reworked to provide suitable challenge. Smaller towers would give the defenders less of a height advantage; fewer crossbowmen might also balance things better. Perhaps a Ram or two for the attackers would help as well. Still it was a game I enjoyed playing. Very straightforward and focused – in spite of the few odd units that tried to fill in the entire river – there is really only one way across. Playability – 4, Balance – 2.5
The landscaping is well done. Nice shoreline, realistic rock formations, higher ground on the North-East shore had a lumpy appearance that didn’t look quite right and could use some smoothing and shaping. The bridge itself has an attractive appearance. Creativity – 3, Map Design – 4
Story was short but adequate. Story – 3
I recommend this game only don’t hesitate to start right off on Very Hard. Colosseum, thanks for the enjoyable game.