Fryslân is a one-off scenario set in the Low Countries during the twelfth century. As a Frisian landowner you'll have to keep your freefolk happy while at the same time defend your land from the greed of the Counts of Holland, who are dead-set on annexing your lands.
NOTE: Even though these games are labelled as Invasion maps, they concentrate at least as much, if not more on the Economic challenges.
Tips: - start producing iron soon - think Dutch - yes, you can out wait all the invasions and have a lovely boring time gathering resources, however, the challenge is in reaching the goals before you run out of invasions ;)
Playability: This map is a pleasure to play! It has great longevity and I have played the map through a number of times now, sithout getting bored. The events are well placed and invasions are about spot-on. Nothing obviously wrong with the map as a whole. It's a good challenge and well thought out. Another top rate 'ecovasion' from Jayhawk.
Balance: I played this predominantly on normal difficulty and the goals were quite tough but certainly achievable, and obviously as you play more and more you evolve and know what needs to be done. The invasions were perfect. Just the right amount of troops and combination of troops to challenge you, which marries well to the limited troop styles you can produce to defend Fryslan. Defending can be tricky, and with a Saxon Hall as your keep you need to watch your Lord carefully.
Creativity: I really do like playing these scenarios set in the Netherlands, the landscapes for me are so different to what I make and indeed know about. You really do feel as if you are playing something realistic, which is always a winner with me, especially when done as well as this.
Map Design: There are subtle areas of this map that really do appeal to me. Attention to detail is great (rivers/streams are larger nearer the sea than inland, the coastal landscape and the raised areas of land surrounded by flat land with small pockets of marsh limiting what can and can't be built and defended). Use of terrain fits well with the story and I love the 'wooden keep/castle' which makes a change from stone. All done extremely well. Not quite a 5 score, but not very far off. Some may be put off by the map design... don't be, it's very well made!
Story/Instructions: Very good story, nice to see information about the main character. Sufficient detail here to introduce you to the map. Pay attention to the author's comments about meeting the economic goals before the invasions run out. It adds to the gameplay.
Overall? Definitely recommended, this is a fairly unique map that plays very well throughout.
Posted on 03/16/02 @ 12:00 AM 
Fryslân is a one-off scenario set in the Low Countries during the twelfth century. As a Frisian landowner you'll have to keep your freefolk happy while at the same time defend your land from the greed of the Counts of Holland, who are dead-set on annexing your lands.