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| Author |
File Description |
| talos_911 |
Posted on 03/17/03 @ 12:00 AM
| File Details |
|---|
| Map Size: |
400x400 (Large) |
| Difficulty: |
Hard |
Map name : "Movie Lotr2 : Edoras"
Version : 1.0
Type : Siege
Game : Stronghold
Size : 400x400
Recommended Difficulty : Normal ( Hard...if you are a moderatley good player or above )
Recommended Style of play : Defender
 YES...it is finally here !! The much worked on (and much delayed) Edoras map for Stronghold :)
This is another map of mine based on the movie "Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers" (LotR2). I have spent a lot of time studying the layout of Edoras in the movie through Pictures from the net and the documentaries for the making of the Lord of the rings, and ofcourse watching the movie atleast a dozen time also helped !!
I've spent a LOT of time doing balancing and Landscaping with small pockets of eyecandy sprinkled throughout the map...The AI does a great job of sieging Edoras...What ?? Edoras isn't attacked in the movie ?? OF COURSE IT ISN'T, I know that...use your imagination (i've just borrowed the map design from the movie...not the scenario!!). Its been one of my most intensive projects to date...then again, most of my projects are intensive :p .
People may point out that this is not exactly as the movie potrays it and the map doesn't exactly look like the one in the movie...and I agree with them. But the fact of the matter is that the movie has provided to me a basic framework of an idea for what J.R.R Tolkien had in mind for Edoras...I have merely expanded it with my interpretation of the text from the book (yes...i've read the book a dozen times too !!). This was the case with my previous LotR 2 movie based map...that of Helm's Deep (Movie Lotr2 : Helms Deep), and it has been very popular in the downloads section...so i've used the tried-and-tested method once again and I hope that people like this map.
The map is kinda tough for newbies on recommended difficulty...I've tried to make the difficulty level (balance) according to the review guidelines (i.e.-A player should lose on the recommended difficulty the first few times...).The Map design and landscape is the best I have created yet and it really does look good (honestly !)...I've tried to create the feel of the movie...for example, the barrows where king Theoden's ancestors and son are buried...it's there.
I won't say anymore now...I'll let you judge the map after you play it.
Enjoy,
Talos_911
Talos_911@hotmail.com
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| Pages: [1] 2 » Last » | | Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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| Ph33r_M3 |
Posted on 03/18/03 @ 12:00 AM
Playability : 5
This map is just so much fun to play (and look at. come to that later). From the begining it creates a foreboding effect as your cavalry is charging the invading horde.when the enemy breaks throught the outer wall the army (strategically set on aggressiv) charge the enemy, creates a very cinematic feeling to see two groups of about 50 melee units each charging each other.
Balance : 5
The balance is clearly set according to the author's desc, but i still found it a tad bit too hard at the recommended difficluty. But that's my experience and i'm sure others will find it perfect in this department as per the review guidlines.great work here.
Creativity : 5
I don't know how he does it, but his ability to make a map from scant information is startling. I've seen the movie and I couldn't really make out the layout of Edoras. Dunno how he did it but he deserves a 5. the surrounding terrain is also...well i'll i'll talk of that in the next section.
Map Design : 5
I would have given him a 6 in this if I could. the map is so well made and each corner is so lovingly crafted, that it clearly shows the author's passion for map designing. he has chosen the largest map size, but has filled it with detail and unparalleled realism.the town too is realistically laid with a lot of eyecandy.i won't say much more, but i'll tell you this, it's a feast for the eyes.
story/instructions : 5
A 5 in this secton seems to have become standard with talos.the pre-mission story sets the mood for the encounter quite well and readme included with the zipfile, is thorough.lot of effort here too.
WOW...that is one of the many words which can effectively sum up talos's latest creation...
I'm a big fan of LotR and i think i've downloaded almost every LotR map on the site...but i've seen the high amount of quality in talos's "Movie Lotr2 : Helm's Deep" previously and I can safely say that he has REALLY outdone himself this time around.This map is the epitome of quality.
absolutely mindblowing work.
p.s.-(Re-reviewed the map.i read the review guidlines again and the map sticks to it to the letter.it does deserve a 5 !) |
| Sulis |
Posted on 03/18/03 @ 12:00 AM
Playability: 5/5
This is a truly remarkable map. From start to finish it's perfectly playable, and good fun too, whilst giving you a really good scrap as you frantically move troops around trying to defend Edoras. It's flawless, in fact. The effort that has gone into this map to make it a comprehensive siege is commendable, reflected in the ability to play on normal or hard setting. Likewise, you could play as an attacker if you so wished, and the map lends itself to both approaches surprisingly. From the start you are in conflict as your knights sally forth from within the walls. USe them effectively, for you will need every single unit you possess. The AI works incredibly well with the map design too, with only a few random units preferring to destroy buildings rather than 'do the job in hand'. Absolute quality, this has replayability in bags. Worth a download just to see how to create maps properly.
Balance: 5/5
What to say, what to say... talos states that you have the option of playing on normal or hard difficulty. I chose hard initially and it took a couple of attempts to successfully defend it. Likewise, on normal difficulty there is sufficient here to pose a really good challenge and this level will certainly appeal to the less experienced player. There are two elements to this map that ensures balance is spot on. Firstly, the number of troops you have compared to the attacking force is almost perfect to the unit. The combination of troops you have, and must defeat, works equally well too. Such a combination is surely a reflection of genuine care and attention to gameplay and a result of careful playtesting. It gives the impression that every unit is priceless to you, and that's not far from the truth. Good balance to me means that the map is winnable, but with a real fight in order to achieve that goal, with maybe a few lost attempts as you learn to scrap with the enemy AI. This map is a shining example of such, and I really can't praise talos enough for the work that has gone into this. It's simply a must-play map.
Creativity: 5/5
To recreate something such as this based on a film is impressive. Whilst not everyone is aware of Tolkien's work in as much detail as talos is, you can't help but feel that Edoras is something a little special. But more importantly to me, the feel of a real stronghold that talos has created with an atmospheric landscape and intriguing story reflects the score here. Every element of the map oozes quality. Creative siege maps are hard to make IMO, as generally they follow a similar pattern. Full marks to talos for providing a workable, attractive, playable map.
Map Design: 5/5
Every map designer has their preferred style for both landscape and building work in Stronghold. Personally I found that some of the rock placement to be a little bit excessive and maybe required a bit more thought (namely behind the castle area). But this is really the only area of the whole map that I could see improvement on, and this doesn't detract from the score, such is the quality of the design. The palistone walls are very well done, the keep area (I presume it is some kind of hall, forgive my lack of knowledge here!) looks great and is a lovely little piece of eye candy in it's own right. The whole built-up area just looks mouth-wateringly good... simple enough, not excessively modelled, but perfectly suitable to the story and map as a whole. There are some lovely little eye candy elements scattered around the map too. And then there's the terrain, which as a whole looks very well done. I especially liked the attention to detail with the lower terrain, small stones placed here and there along with some shrubbery and a great attempt at providing a natural looking pathway from and to Edoras. So many good aspects of this map, and fully deserving of a 5 score.
Story/Instructions: 5/5
Brilliant. How every story should be. You have a great little introduction prior to the launch of the map which reads very well. The download description page clearly shows how to play the map as talos designed it to be and is an ideal way to introduce the map to the masses. A neat minimap also accompanies the download. Again, as with every aspect of this design, quality shines through. Just enough content here to ensure you don't get bored and enough to get you asking for more.
IN SUMMARY
Okay, so a perfect 5.0 score usually raises a few eyebrows and cries of 'that can't be correct'. But there are so many good features to this map that compliment each other well, i.e. balance and playability are perfect, so aside from the look, it plays like a dream. Creativity, map design and story support each other too and are way above average. Having reviewed over 100 maps so far, and playing many, many more (that deserve a review too) I really do feel that this is one of the most expertly designed and complete maps there is. It works perfectly with the AI and the map editor's abilities. An essential download, and fully deserving of the 5.0 score. A lesson in how to design maps well. Well done talos, you deserve this! :) |
Andrew Dunn
(id: Mechstra) |
Posted on 03/20/03 @ 12:00 AM
PLAYABILITY - 5
Great stuff. From the offset you have to manage your troops well, as your knights charge towards the enemy. Will you let them charge? Or will you pull them back to the safety of the town? This sort of decision must be made throughout, and the smart tactician will draw his troops back from the walls just before the gates fall. Similar things are found when attacking the town. A 5.
BALANCE - 5
The balance of the two armies is finely-tuned, and either defending or attacking, you'll have a tough time of it. No problems here. Another 5.
CREATIVITY - 5
Oh, no, another Lord of the Rings map, you may think; and in most cases you'd be right. But talos uses his source material, both book and film, to great effect, and applies a little creative licence to set the scene. A 5.
MAP DESIGN - 5
This is probably the best area of this map. Everything is wonderfully represented, from burial mounds outside the city, to the Golden Hall of Meduseld. The Hall itself is probably the best piece of eyecandy I've seen, perfectly capturing the look of the building as seen in the films, something that is hard to accomplish with the limited building set of Stronghold. The strongest area of the map, well deserving of a 5.
STORY/INSTRUCTIONS - 5
The story is masterfully introduced, from the perspective of the captain of the defence, and sets the scene well. Although it is not an 'original' story, I cannot mark any map down for this. The new spin on the Lord of the Rings is welcome, too.
OVERALL - 5
A brilliant map, and if this represents the quality that will be present in the LotR map pack, then I'm looking forward to it! |
| Lord Paul |
Posted on 04/03/03 @ 12:00 AM
The only problem I had, was that when defending, it was over pretty easily, the attackers had only breached the first walls. But that besides, it is an eyecatching map, and I love it!!! |
| NAT |
Posted on 06/05/03 @ 12:00 AM |
| NAT |
Posted on 06/05/03 @ 12:00 AM |
| Softnerd |
Posted on 06/24/03 @ 12:00 AM
it was the first map ive downloaded and still...after downloading a few others...its my all time favorite!!
great
Lord McCullen Aka SOFTNERD |
talos_911
File Author |
Posted on 06/25/03 @ 12:00 AM
Thank You,
Talos_911 |
| double d |
Posted on 11/11/03 @ 12:00 AM |
| UnikUnok |
Posted on 11/13/03 @ 12:00 AM |
| Pages: [1] 2 » Last » |
 
HGDL v0.8.2 |
| Rating |
|---|
| 4.7 | | Breakdown |
|---|
| Playability | 4.9 | | Balance | 4.5 | | Creativity | 4.8 | | Map Design | 4.8 | | Story/Instructions | 4.5 |
| Statistics |
| Downloads: | 7,083 |
| Favorites: [] | 0 |
| Size: | 836.53 KB |
| Added: | 03/17/03 |
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