Since noone is reviewing my last map, I'll just go ahead and submit a new one ^^
Brief outline:
-Store 300 bread to win, but as a twist, you have to buy the wheat
-Money is gonna be tight, REALLY REALLY tight :)
-Inability to mine stone (no more walling yourself in ^^)
-The invaders are gonna cut through wooden walls like a hot knife through butter, so using wooden walls is also out of question (God I'm evil)
There is a major hint well hiden in the story, so read it carefully ^^
Playability:
Overall, this amazing tiny map is very tricky requiring a lot of methodical thinking and more in the hard range than normal. Wolves, bandits and continuously occurring invasions keep the interest up. It tended to drag a little towards the end as I had a large garrison of archers to maintain good control while I finished meeting the demanded bread objective.
Right from the beginning, your workshops and iron mines are unoccupied or left abandoned, and it takes some time to put them all into operation. Due to a fairly strong contingent of initial forces I was able to hold back the enemy’s well-timed hasty attacks launched by hordes of archers, spearmen and supported by the destructive impact of catapults. By the way, in my first attempt I didn’t realize that I failed switching the blacksmith’s mace production over to sword production … what a negligence!
Balance:
Very well balanced and timed invasions, and the bandit raids keep you scurrying to put your troops in the right places to protect your woodcutters, hunters and iron miners outside the castle. Nice assortment of such events like thefts, tree fungus or wolf attacks. Very intelligent choice of trade options that affects the completion of the victory condition (300 bread) in an inimitable way. You can gain gold through the sale of weapons and a temporarily adjusted taxation. It’s also hard to keep popularity in the plus, but religion will reliably make it. It’s just a pity that the majority of the enemy’s laddermen stayed idle behind the signpost and weren’t brought to action during the battles.
Creativity:
A convincing good concept, which perfectly combines both economic and military demands. Besides, an interesting arrangement of buildings, strategic and natural conditions that you have to use wisely to your advantage.
Map Design:
A quite functional and simple castle design mainly rectangular that is not spectacular but very effective against the enemy’s assaults. The landscape is giving you the impression of being infertile or barren, and poorly wooded on a gently sloping ground towards east. The location of the iron deposits adjacent to the castle is an unprotected area that made me planning and reconsidering my defense several times, also well-knowing that I wasn’t allowed to mine stone … and money’s too tight to mention!
Story:
Good imaginative in game story that sets up the scenario well. The introducing briefing gives you some general information and play hints.
This is a great map. It should not be overlooked. It’s challenging and fun.