Playability: 5
Couldn't get any better! When it comes to game play this map is king! To fit the premise of killing my neighbors unmercifully (heheh), I placed myself in the middle and surrounded myself with 4 enemies, all allied against me. I chose the caliph top left, Lionheart lower left, Saladin lower right, and Wolf top right, set to normal difficulty, equal advantage....
This map was fun, period. There was never a dull moment, I was attacked instantly and relentlessly. A balanced approach to offense/defense was needed:
Towers with Mangonels/archers to stave off hords of Caliph slaves, troops and fire ballistas strategically placed to hold against attacking ground troops, all the while micromanaging a vulnerable economy with an equall enphasis on trade, weapon production, taxes, and resources. Trading iron and slinging rocks on your nearest neighbors is essential early on to keep them at bay, so mine that iron and stone early!
Balance: 5
Excellent. Minimal resources, but the AI's knew just what to do with it. Lionheart showed amazing economy skills, something he usually doesn't do. He slung rocks at me all the time! Equall resources for all keeps
Creativity: 4
This type of map been done before, but it's a shining example of good balanced gameplay.
Map Design: 5
I'd give you a 6 if I could. Wonderfully detailed, polished and natural looking. Some of the best looking terrain I've seen
Story/Instructions: 4
No story at all, which would give you a 3. But the premise is consistent with the layout: A keep in the center that has to destroy the surrounding neighbors. So I'll rate as 4. A story that could explain the situation would get a 5 though.