I've tried to remain faithful to the movie as far as I can within the limits of the game, but I'm going on memory.
The map includes:
•The stream,
•The mill and two houses on the far side,
•The forest,
•The mountain,
•The oval shaped village, but with fewer houses to bring the number of villagers down.
•Wheat fileds as rice patties.
•You as lord, five swordsmen, and a knight as the Samurai,
•A Pikeman as your disciple.
•The peasant horde of weapons.
•Extra swords.
•The sake.
•40 assorted bad guys coming after you.
I find that adapting tactics from the movie helps you win.
If you never saw the film the brief story wil set it up.
This is a fun little map! I was curious as I loved the movie classic and upon seeing the map title thought, what a brilliant idea! Benthos has done a great job turning the stories climax into a wonderful siege map, the only problem?? - This is not a siege map! The Seven Samurai is designed as an invasion so unfortunately it has been posted in the wrong section of SH
O.K. now that we have identified what type of map this is let the review commence.
Playability 5/5 Well Done!! This is not going to be easy. To get the full 40 bandits you have to play on normal difficulty. Benthos has designed a Cracking invasion! The pace of the map is frantic if you want to succeed. Success, if that’s what you want to call my 94% troop loss victory depends really upon 2 factors wood and funds for arming troops. Time is limited so you will have to work fast. A few tries are in order for you to get the feel and truly understand you’re coarse of action. I don’t want to give too much away. Benthos has given you just enough options to make this a lot of fun but also possible to figure out. At first it may even seem unbeatable but the hint given by the author is helpful: use the tactics seen in the movie. Haven’t seen the movie? Well, you should rent it, as it is a classic. But just remember what 2 factors I said mattered. There are several ways to procure the wood. Funds are tricky, you will have to figure out what level of taxation works best. Game play is smooth; in fact, you may want to lower the game speed a little from what you normally play on as the time seems to fly.
Balance 4/5 also well done, a lot of thought has gone into this map and it shows. Once you get the hang of it you will just be able to accomplish your goals to achieve victory. Believe me it is possible and there are a couple of methods that will work. The trick and fun of this map is in figuring them out. Ok like I said I don’t want to give too much away so lets move on.
Creativity 4/5 this is a brilliant idea. I am partial to this movie but it is also very nice to see a movie other than LOTR being adapted into a Stronghold map and I just can’t say enough about the effort put in by the author. The map is a real gem and although the scenario is short in duration it is fully engaging and had me playing several times. Very fulfilling. Benthos has a real talent for this sort of movie adaptation. Simply great work on a great idea!
Map Design 3/5 the only real criticism I have. The author put so much work into creating such a wonderful invasion, I am almost a little miffed that the map work is only average. I just felt the effort in this category was not on the same level with Benthos’s work in the other departments. This is the only category I think the author could work on. Parts of the map feel a little hurried IMO. One should enjoy and have fun with terrain work, not just get though it in order to get onto other aspects of map-making that might seem more important or engaging, with that said this is still a decent effort.
Story/Instructions 4/5 this is Great Stuff! The download page has some good solid notes and hints. The launch page before you begin the invasion has a brief summary that sets the story well.
In Short this is really well done and for what I believe is a first submit from this author it is Very well done indeed! Highly recommended, although a short and fast paced event this map will definitely provide you with a days worth of fun! Good Work Benthos!