You always come up with such neat ideas, Pirate Roberts!
Great interconnecting lakes - I liked the little waterfalls, and the levels of one flowing to the next seemed natural and just right. I wasn't sure if I liked all the big rocks around the lakes, and the water seemed rather still. Maybe a rock or two in the water, or a ripple effect in some of them would break it up a little.
No iron on the map, but it's available in the marketplace. The only thing actually detracting from playability is the amount of area taken up by all the lakes... but then the lakes are kind of the point of the whole map, and the reason I'm giving a 5 in creativity. I also liked the inn at the intersection - the poor innkeeper, having to roll all the barrels uphill! :)
Thanks for another fun and interesting map!
Sir Prise
Posted on 01/04/05 @ 12:00 AM
Rating
4.4
Breakdown
Playability
4.0
Balance
4.0
Creativity
5.0
Map Design
5.0
Story/Instructions
4.0
As the play begins and you gaze upon your new land, you notice that 45% of the map is made up of interconnecting lakes/pools, which I suppose comes as no surprise, considering the map is called Inn at Eight Pools,
The placement of the lake/pools and streams has been well thought out, and the remaining land has areas of flattish grassland,woods hills and rocks.
The only wildlife to be found are some herds of deer grazing nonchalantly across the map area.
Although the map size is only 200x200, there is more than enough land space to build your castle, attract tradesmen and farm your land.
You begin the game with a plentiful supply of resources and food, which is more than adequate and allows you to take your time to construct your castle, which I suppose is what a Free-build is all about.
The author of this map has a good understanding of the map editor and the landscape shows off his talents to a high degree of realism.
As for the poor old Innkeeper, either he was a little drunk or stupid when he decided to place his Inn in such a place, I wonder who he thought he would attract with his brews?,until the arrival of us Castle-Builders it appears his only customer's would have been be the deer!
I would have liked to have seen a little more wildlife, a big brown bear or snarling wolf or two,
especially considering that the game starts you off with a half full armoury , you have the impression that these weapons may be called upon at some stage in the game, but alas, all appears well in our peaceful and prosperous land.
I really liked this map, you can build a nicely laid out castle with a good plentiful economy to support it's inhabitants.
If you what to spend a few hours being Lord of your Kingdom, I truly recommend Inn at Eight Pools
Thank you Pirate Roberts