Year 1142 anno domini. Tree days have passed since king Jakub II. the Lynx lost his battle on the Plaintively fields against enemy lords, lead by his cousin Ctiber the Fox and Rozvrat the Rat. Enemies were outnumbered. King’s army is defeated and his allies’ forces are still too far. Jakub has also call for help from his brother lord Martin the Raven to the Jerusalem kingdom, but no one from the herald’s come back. Hi knows that there is only one chance to survive. With the last riders from his guard, king escape to the north - to the Fuming Mountains. There, keeping the only road trough the valley in mountains is castle Slavin. He was made in 7. century as a border fortress and survive many attacks of the enemy. After a big fire of the top castle caused by lightning, was Slavin complete rebuild to this image of heavy stronghold. His castellan is still loyal to king and offered him safeguard against the enemies. Jakub knows that enemies blinded by image of definitive victory will lead their blunted troops after him. And they can probably smash themselves on the ramparts of the castle. Perhaps between the walls of Slavin, will king survive the assault and finally defeat the traitors. Hi also knows, that if the enemies break down the defense they will not have mercy with no one.
Hi everybody. This is the first map of my story about the two brothers from Slavonian Empire. The story will continue in other maps, you can play now also the second part Crusader on the map Jerusalem. Thanks for all comments; it helps me to improve my self in this perfect game and mapmaking.
Playability: 4
As this map is a bit easy, it has lots of replayability. Had much fun with it. The scenario is very epic. Even if you'll win, you will want to play it again because the 'change' of arrows between enemy's archers and yours from towers is almost breathtaking.
Balance: 4
[EDIT: May 23] Way better for the ballance. Was in real trouble when the enemies overwhelmed me and lost many shooters from the towers...though I found a bit bad that the so-many enemy knights did not attacked imediately but they stayed at a border of the map and strike only when were provoked. You should replace a big part of knights with other kind of melee, like pikemen for example.
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In balance I would say that it was not so hard how I expected to be. Managed to beat it on 'very hard' even from the first try. However I think an average player would find this map as a moderate challenge.
Creativity: 4
The map design is very creative. You know quite well how the landscape can be made to look better ;) The troops and their position offers many ideas. Especially their position is very epic. The story is probably the biggest reason why the 'creativity' is only on 'excellent' stage. But you can improove it ;)
Map Design: 4
The map design is very wild and natural. An interesting command of editor and its scripting. However if it's wild... why there's so few animals? Probably the only bad point would be that the hills looked a bit strange to me. Try to not put so much tres and bushes. They are very good but not so numerous. Liked a lot the design of castle. It is very original and interesting and it offers many posibilites of defending.
Story/Instructions: 3.5
[Edit] You upgrated the story a little but its score is still under excellent stage. You should work more on it. If you have enough imagination, in few houre should be ready and much better ;)
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Not so detalied how it should be. The story is a bit too basic and it doesn't explain many aspects of map. However it can be easily and fun to read it.
Additional Comments:
I suggest to work more on 'playtesting' and making stories. In rest you are very good. This is probably your best SH1 map so far. Don't esitate to put questions if there's something wrong.