This is a great siege map. Marsh Castle is very well defended and whilst this may seem daunting at first, there is another way in... a back door approach in a way. You don't have much time to plan the attack as macemen from within the castle soon sally forth to greet you. It's highly addictive and tactically testing. I've played this map for a while now which shows the replayability factor. Tough, and good fun to boot.
Balance: 5/5
Using the troops provided and playing on normal difficulty, per the author's recommended setting, this is a real challenge. Taking the castle from the front means you need to overcome the small gatehouse and then face the full frontal assault of the castle. Get past this and the inner bailey is equally well defended. However, you can try the alternative approach, which admittedly I haven't tried. Either way has advantages and disadvantages and should prove to be a test. Very well balanced map all round, and tricky to beat.
Creativity: 3/5
The map is well designed generally. Having the secondary option of assaulting the castle is a good idea, although there's no gate to speak of. Trudging through the marshes may be a bit of a trek! Beware of the suicidal tendencies of the units within the castle walls, as they are prepared to burn everything in sight rather than see you take the castle.
Map Design: 4/5
In truth, I don't favour map designs where the castle will self-combust, burning all and sundry, as Marsh Castle no doubt will. That aside, the design is sound and takes on a fairly realistic appearance within. The terrain is okay, some modelling of landscape. A good effort, but maybe more functionally creative than aesthetically pleasing. Nonetheless, I rate the design for what it is and what it does.
Story/Instructions: 3/5
Whilst there is nothing on the download description page, there is content on the screen prior to the game launching. Not a bad effort, but given the high standards set in other areas of this map, a good story with plenty of content, a theme and/or instructions would have lifted this rating overall and finished off the design nicely.
IN SUMMARY
A great siege map that should keep you amused for hours.