**update June 2020:
- map renamed (formerly Return to the Valley of Wonders)
- fix for items: if not using my AoWx modpack, you'll need to download Item Images Addition V2 by naru blutwind, otherwise some items will be bugged.
This is an extra large, 12 player map heavily based on the campaign scenario geographies/locations, scaled relative to the campaign's overland map.
The scenario is loosely set at the beginning of the campaign following Queen Elwyn's assassination, with certain events having already happened for balance reasons (ie: King Inioch is resurrected, Orcs have conquered Telstar, etc).
This map should now work with any ruleset, but I made it while using my own ruleset; therefore a few preset starting units may have slightly altered stats as a result (but newly produced units will not be effected).
All AI recommended to be set to CPU Emperor, Allied Victory on.
This map is a fantastic concept, well-executed. There are all sorts of details which people who've played the campaigns will recognise.
Playability: 5
I haven't played the map yet, but looking through it in the editor, I don't see any serious problems arising. Altars, income structures, Nodes, independents, and every other feature all occur in reasonable frequency. There is a higher frequency of larger towns compared to most maps but this is not a problem. It really has everything you might want.
Balance: 4
Nine of the twelves races look to have fairly equal starts and opportunities.
From what I can judge of the map looking at it in the editor, the Elves, Halflings and Goblins look to have seriously cramped started areas and avenues of expansion compared to the other races. The Undead position also strikes me as a little cramped.
I was tempted to give the map a 3 for balance, because I think those three races are at a big disadvantage. But balance is not the central concern of this map, and you will probably edit it soon anyway and ameliorate the position of those three races. And besides, the other 9 races look to be reasonably even.
Creativity: 5
The author clearly put a lot of effort into reflecting the campaigns and lore accurately, and there are many pleasant details to that effect, and in general.
Map Design: 5
A very convincing and good-looking portrayal of Athla.
Story/Instructions: 5
Well, it's Athla at the time of the conflict that occurs in the campaign, so this is an automatic 5.
Posted on 08/05/19 @ 02:23 PM (updated 06/29/20)