Blacksmith Features
January 17, 2004 by Anastasia

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The Fall of Artal

By Talon Karrde

The Fall of Artal by Talon Karrde is a fantastic single scenariocampaign and an extremely fun to play RPS challenge! The game plot/storystands out as being possessed of extraordinary originality and constitutesone of the most remarkable oeuvres (written works) in imaginative scenariodesign. It’s not a ‘happily ever after’ tale though, but rather a bloodspattered real time challenge to face death with honor!

A classic scenario, with raw features that relies totally on theconventional, and no fancy tricks and audio extras decorate this design.However, one is so completely immersed in the incredible game play andmap nothing more than victory is desired. The city of Artal is superb froma pretty map standpoint and many of the buildings and locations have beennamed too, but the players tour will be hastened by the sword and thethrown axes of the ever increasing enemy. Many locations are memorableand most notably the plazas and the palace grounds, yet they are likelyto be remembered for the tactical or strategic aspects than for beauty,and Artal is a blood bath with a scenic route!

The story is housed in the game’s forwarding and aftermath messagesonly, and an imagination which is bound by the aim of wish-fulfilment,as in much romantic and heroic fantasy, could not begin to match TheFall of Artal for story as it relates to the game play. I suggest readingthe story with intent because it adds incredible depth to the experience.Players play as Taemyr, Troilus, Dinait, Llandon, Gwydyr, Tyndarius,Gyrdrol, Athamys, and Androklan. Nine bound by honor, and to theirOrder — The Order of the Flame. Players will probably identify withthem as a whole for each of their roles is to spite the enemy and deathitself.

The game play is a perpetuating battle for time in a maze ofobstacles and choke points. The scenario designer taunts us in hisdescription page to use the cheat ‘aegis’ so that the enemies spawnfaster. I am not ashamed to say that I was unable to meet thischallenge on the Hard difficulty using the cheat. Totally satisfiedwith achieving victory on Moderate (with cheat) and Hard (without thecheat), I plan to try again the compelling challenge that gives thescenario a high replay value. There is some monotony in the last 10minutes of play that is of course one has struck upon a winningstrategy, and this most likely will take several trips to the losingaftermath and achievement screens before this is experienced.

The Fall of Artal is a must play campaign challenge and the oneclassic scenario has already entered the Best of AoK of our AOKHvisitor reviews. The only sad aspect is that long time designer TalonKarrde of Woad Creations design team has indicated that this will behis last project for AoK:TC. Decidedly, he seems to have saved the bestfor last, and leaves us inspired as scenario designers and as AoK singleplayer enthusiasts ultimately challenged!