13га
It's been a while since I've found a map worth writing about, instead of just expressing myself with colorful language. I completed the map (original version) in 50 days, playing as a "hero." The map isn't very difficult. I liked the scenario's concept, the dialogue scenes, and the logic of the actions. The layout is good, and the logistics are well-planned; the map is dynamic. (I can't remember the last time I could say that about modern works.) The landscape is drawn nicely, and it fits the theme, although it's not overly elaborate, but it is neat. What I didn't like was the development limit. It's like an axis around which problems start to revolve. The limit is very low for a scenario with a recurring enemy who immediately builds up an army. I had 2 heroes at level 18, one at level 16, and another at level 6, and there was still a lot of "meat" left on the map. I didn't take any major artifacts. The main hero hit the ceiling and was forced to let neutral creatures go for more than 2 weeks of game time – this really takes away from the enjoyment of the game. Because of the ceiling, there are very few options for developing the main hero; you can only fully develop 2 schools, and even then, not completely – there are practically no variations for replaying the game. "Education" has become completely unnecessary. The issue with joining units is poorly resolved. Not only native troops join. Where do you put the non-native, mixed groups? Why is building a sacrificial pit prohibited in all castles? I didn't like the choice of colors for the enemy's flag. Brown is completely "blind" against the demonic decorations, and orange is only slightly more contrasting. The final necromancer is weak compared to the demon that the player summons. The imps drain all his mana, he has nothing to cast, and the AI doesn't know how to use spells. And skeletons are not good soldiers against demonic troops. It's very bad that the necromancer is locked in a castle. The map's name implies a greater role for the necromancer in the scenario's events.
Thank you to the author for the work; it's beautiful. If this map is truly the first of many, then I eagerly await new ones.