Swolte and The Stranger was certain that Queen Elquein made it. (Come on people, this is such an obvious Psykitty map!! The map is well made, but could use some tweaking. For example, some of the messages show at the wrong time. The heroes are unique and well written. I really appreciate having a little history on my heroes, and the author connects them well to the world created by the scenario. The story perspective is passionate and offers more psychological depth than is common in a scenario. Clearly, the author’s ability to develop and identify with the heroes of his/her story is a strong suit. I thought also that the author made the best good use of the pre made area. I was curious, though, about the balloon arriving to take the heroes away. I was never actually able to hire it. It arrived and offered to join, then disappeared after a storm hit…. Events are generally handled well but there were a few event bugs with the scenario. For example, I lost the hero Thorme before he got back to Abagail. However, I did manage to get Sechmette back to my wizard. An event image popped up greeting Thorme. It seems also that if the heroes die or get trapped in this map then the map is more or less over. I had Sechmette get cut off on an island in the shadow land from which she couldn’t seem to escape. No event warned me of this or explained how she could be rescued. And so, I was stuck with just one city. I tried letting a few turns go by, but nothing happened. I suppose this is one of the dangers of making a hero/leader centred scenario, but a few more event images/messages might have clarified the situation or provided the player with some alternative game play options. To conclude, with a bit more time, I think this map could have created a very compelling and detailed RPG style of map. The author has obvious gifts in interpreting and creating characters with some depth, and I think such a map would have great appeal for players looking for something other than the usual build and conquer types of maps. OT : Psykitty I need your home address! Please E-mail it to me. [This message has been edited by Magog (edited 02-01-2006 @ 01:16 PM).]
Timelord got it right though.
It's been a long while since I have been this immersed in a single player map. The character building was extraordinarily done and this makes it a map everybody MUST play. This is not just very good, it is simply brilliant.
Somebody claiming that AoW-sm mapmaking is 'just a game', is definately proven wrong here. It is an art and you are inside this interactive and captivating novel that is written by master storyteller (sitting by the fire and telling a story that chills you to the bone).
There is no real downside to this map, because it is almost perfect in its kind. The only issue I had was that it sometimes felt quite 'directed' and that there were still moments where more clarification would have been useful.
It's made with great care and empathy! A lot of feeling went into this map and it definately payed off! I realised this from day one as you start the lonely journey with Thorme.
It's dark, sinister and mysterious and it begs for a sequal...
Bugs/tips:
- When you walk the Wizard south (you have almost nothing else to explore the area there with), an event springs that 'Thorme has reached his home', etc...
- A Warballoon appears near the temple, to save the guardians (even when the guardians are dead - yes, I should have stayed on the temple itself!).
- No Wizard Description.