Tanneur99
Official Reviewer |
Posted on 12/29/04 @ 12:00 AM
The campaign consists of 12 scenarios, it is a mix of all game styles. The story is fiction; you play Theodoric the Goth defeating his enemies to build up an Empire and later Christian on his quest for revenge.
PLAYABILITY: Not only with regard to the high number of scenarios, I like the mix of all game styles. The scenarios were of different quality, some superfluous, not enjoyable at all, but served to develop the story. You cannot win the eights scenario, a loose message does not display, but when you type ‘I r winner’ the story continues in the victory message and there are four more scenarios to play. I encountered no bug or lag during the game. 2+
BALANCE: I played the campaign on hard and judge it overall as too easy, for example, the B&D scenarios, in the second, I won during the build up because my ally killed the enemy leader. Similar was the sixth, the moment my army was ready to march, my four allies defeated the two enemies. The third, a FF, had some challenge as well as the seventh, a B&D or the ninth, a RPS. In general, the balance improved with the later scenarios. 3-
CREATIVITY: This is an average campaign and so is the creativity. Every aspect of a scenario rates in creativity, to mention the story which connects 12 scenarios, some creative balance aspects like the good defence of the enemy city in scenario 7, only accessible over two bridges and 12 custom maps. 3
MAP DESIGN: The maps are custom made, a new map for every scenario, which are of different quality, they are below, at level and above random map quality, overall lacking in terrain mix, blending and elevations. 3
STORY/INSTRUCTIONS: The player knows what to do and where to go, the hints are sufficient, and most of the instructions come in game, on screen. The story, not good enough for a perfect rating, develops in game, between the scenarios and never looses the thread. 4
OVERALL: A campaign with a simple story, some heroes, designed to play with original AoK.
SUGGESTIONS: Make your scenarios more challenging. I understand your intention to have your heroes killed by Edward I the Longshank in the eights scenario, to start with the rise of a new hero, but when the player looses the next scenario does not show. Place a hint in the loose message of the eights scenario that the player has to reload and type ‘I are winner’ to continue the campaign. A better solution would be a new trigger with ‘destroy object’ conditions for your heroes, effect 0 declare victory player 1.
OBSERVATION: Theodoric - The Rise of an Empire is the first scenario of the forger, creator of the Soldier of Fortune sceries.
IN CLOSING: This is a good, entertaining campaign for novice players and I recommend the download. |