Tanneur99
Official Reviewer |
Posted on 04/30/04 @ 12:00 AM
EDITED REVIEW
The campaign consists of two scenarios; it is a Quiz. You start as a villager, going to the school of AoK, in order to become a hero.
PLAYABILITY: 'From Peasant to Hero' is an enjoyable quiz, well thought out to test your good manners, common sense, IQ, physical ability, knowledge of AoK and fighting skills. The second scenario, 'The Degree of Heroism' had no game play at all and was superfluous for my taste, also three of your teachers/kings will garrison in their castles, you can pause and click them while they run or better not play the second scenario. 3
BALANCE: This category relates to the skill of the player and is somehow subjective, as the reviewer rates, if the scenario was too hard/easy to complete for him or if the scenario is well balanced. The scenarios goal is to make you solve a quiz, test your knowledge of AoK and it is in the intention of the author that there will be no fight for survival. In fact, the questions are the tougher part for the player than the small fights, which also test knowledge. From the review tutorial: “One important item to note about scoring the balance category for scenarios where no fighting takes place, such as cut-scene scenarios, some puzzle scenarios and some rpg style scenarios, is that just because the player cannot die in such scenarios, that doesn't mean the scenario isn't balanced. You also need to take the author's original intent into account, giving the author some benefit of the doubt. If the author never intended the player to face a struggle to survive, then there's no reason to knock down the balance score if there isn't any fighting. So keep in mind that you do need to take the intent and goals of the scenario into account when scoring the balance category, especially for those scenarios where fighting is not included.” 5
CREATIVITY: The basic idea is creative, good questions and you change characters during the game. This should develop further, spiced with drawbacks, a twist, a story and some design efforts. 3+
MAP DESIGN: The map design is just buildings and walls on a flat grass map. The second scenario is full of wonders, but unfortunately also of unappealing castles. 2-
STORY/INSTRUCTIONS: The campaign includes clear instructions, good hints, throughout the game developing objectives and a BMP, but I missed a story. The in game text passes too fast on normal speed, best to change to slow before clicking a teacher. 3+
OVERALL: The campaign consists of one enjoyable and creative scenario and a lack of effort.
OBSERVATIONS: Kings garrison in castles and towers. The above is an edit of my original review posted on 2002-05-17; I increased the rating for balance in accordance with the review tutorial.
IN CLOSING: Download, play the first scenario, you will not pass school the first try. ;) |