Empire Area:
Central Province
Rank:
Architect
Goals to Win:
12 year survival
This scenario is rather attractive - I have enjoyed it, although otherwise I prefer peaceful assignments. I would say that it is hard, but surely not very hard. Every governor that has finished military career should be able to survive without problems, though very possibly not at the first attempt (i.e. without reloading after having found out where the invasion will start or without using Invasion Info).
Many military structures are pre-built and disallowed. Even though Caesar won't give you more, money isn't tight. Export of pottery and marble is steady source of income, and as soon as you reach Insulae level, taxes can be larger than workers wages. Anyway, you don't have how to spend the money - city is small, rest of province is governed by natives (mission post not available), and you get 4 forts (without soldiers) in the beginning.
Description is very thorough and includes some tips, as usual in BTL's missions, so that I don't have much left to tell you without spoiling the fun. I will just explain the rating:
Playability : 3
Interesting, enjoyable, but once I have finished it, I didn't feel that I would like to replay it. Terrain features and available buildings make the gameplay different from many other missions, but leave little space for variability.
Creativity : 3
Well - just average. I hoped in more variability in attacks.
Balance : 3
Demands are reasonable, invasions can be defeated. Available space is large enough to build all you need, if you don't waste it. If the scenario wouldn't be claimed as "very hard, possibly not winnable", I would give 4... I was prepared for much harder battles, but they didn't come.
Map design : 4
As I understand the rating system, 5 is reserved for masterpieces ... this map is better than average.
Story/Instructions : 5
Description is outstanding, includes historical background, hints and tips. I wanted to take 1 point off because difficulty is overly stressed - but then decided to leave all 5, as difficulty is very relative thing. I took the point off in Balance instead.
BTW, my final score (in last December) was about 2000 people, 30000 Den., Prosperity 56, Culture and Favor 100, Peace 46.
Tip : Deciding for the result is how quickly you can fill all 6 forts.
