- Joined
- Mar 2, 2014
- Messages
- 127
Hive Journey 4 - The Prophecy of the Dark Angel; RPG by Valenvai
This is a Map that I revisited today after 2 years. Since this is a RPG-Map you will not hear me complain about the Gameplay-Style. I like these kinds of Maps. The main comparison for these Maps is always the Rexxar Campaign. If you didn't like it and think you know better RPG Maps that's alright, god bless ya, but don't critisize a Map for being basic since it is always the basic Maps that allow for creativity from others.
Character Selection
A very simple thing one might think but it is so easy to screw up and confuse the player. This one does not. You're a red wisp, standing on blue gives character overview, standing on red selects the character.
My only possible complain would be that I'd rather get the full text right away into my log instead of the cutscene. But the cutscene has its own charm and I don't mind it being that way.
Level up
You can get to Level 20 which is almost impossible without doing virtually all the sidequests. I like that because it gives purpose even to quests which rewards are uninteresting for you. Money for example. I got 19700 by the end.
This is why the leveling might seem slow to some but in my opinion it keeps the challange alive. This map is everything but unfair so you shouldn't bother.
Quests and Rewards
In general the quests all ask you to kill something or someone. Some delivery quests are thrown in also.
If the reward you get satisfies you highly depends on wether it supports your play style and also on which character you took.
Characters
They all have their appeal, I personally like the Warlock for he summons demons. I like demons.
Their skills are well thought out in that they suit you to beat the game.
Storywise your Character answers in a generic kind of way lacking personality but without forcing you to his "ways"
The NPC's got the characteristics and differences, even if they rarely say anything. This allows for own thoughts and doesn't bore the hell out of you if you don't care about the story too much.
Gameplay
This is an unlinear RPG map. Though that is not entirely true in the beginning. In the beginning the developer decided not to hold your hand, what I appreciate. But the fact that you are fragile as a new born forces you to at least not take the southern way where the enemies are lvl4 and therefore deadly.
It also would be foolish to go too far west even though with some skill you can beat one or two trolls you really should consider going to town, discover some quests and then go north for lvl1 kobolds.
After that the non linear style shines as on every corner there is something to discover. Quests, enemies, loot.
You can choose which quest to follow and which to ignore and which to do first. I guess everybody got a different first take on this.
Overall very solid Gameplay, feels like a classic RPG map but I'll admit that it lacks originality. Don't expect new but expect good.
Secrets and Discoveries
There are a ton of different things you can do in this game that are not necassery, like getting the Helmet of true sight and to see what it reveals or to search for a way to kill the Shadow of the Mountain (Hint: It makes BAAAAAM!).
Trying out things and finding out stuff as well as discover the use of certain items is a major part of this game.
Items
There are different kinds of Items that can help you if you care to use them. Other than equipment there is also a shop to be found where one can purchase many different Spell Books.
This is actually really nice and ads another interesting aspect to this map.
Story
Some people probably didn't even notice but the Story is actually quite good also. Mid-Game its better than lategame. What lategame offers is a classic wrap up, as you probably already reached max level. Kill 4 enemies of different element and then the boss. The actual climax already happened with the 3 Dark Musketeers as i like to call them.
The Story about a dark being that was sealed centuries ago and now due to events in the early past is about to be set free, Or that is what you're supposed to belive, IS a very basic RPG-Plot and I'm glad to say that this Map feels like a good way to include that into Warcraft.
The ending suggests a sequel and one wonders how it continues since most RPG's with this plot ended at this point. As far as I know it still is under developement. I really hope so.
Layout
The map is very efficiently designed and feels like the different parts of the landscape belong together and that is considering that you got forests and cold regions (mountain). As usual for these maps, but this one made a good job.
Graphics
There was no attempt to change the look of the main game, which is alright.
Though I found the Elven City to be quite beautiful.
Bugs
I encountered no bugs whatsoever.
Well... I didn't get Gigas claw, probably because I killed him before I got the quest. I still showed the townsmen the claw I didn't possess and received 500 gold that he probably also didn't possess. So it was fair.
A very nice and very basic RPG to boot to kill 3-8 hours depending on your pase. Don't let anybody fool you, the map is quite fun if you're into RPG-Maps.
Krolan
The Twisted
Update due to the rightfully put suggestion by Hell Master to include a general rating:
Final Verdict: 3.5/5 (4/5 if I had to choose between 3/5 and 4/5)
This is a Map that I revisited today after 2 years. Since this is a RPG-Map you will not hear me complain about the Gameplay-Style. I like these kinds of Maps. The main comparison for these Maps is always the Rexxar Campaign. If you didn't like it and think you know better RPG Maps that's alright, god bless ya, but don't critisize a Map for being basic since it is always the basic Maps that allow for creativity from others.
Character Selection
A very simple thing one might think but it is so easy to screw up and confuse the player. This one does not. You're a red wisp, standing on blue gives character overview, standing on red selects the character.
My only possible complain would be that I'd rather get the full text right away into my log instead of the cutscene. But the cutscene has its own charm and I don't mind it being that way.
Level up
You can get to Level 20 which is almost impossible without doing virtually all the sidequests. I like that because it gives purpose even to quests which rewards are uninteresting for you. Money for example. I got 19700 by the end.
This is why the leveling might seem slow to some but in my opinion it keeps the challange alive. This map is everything but unfair so you shouldn't bother.
Quests and Rewards
In general the quests all ask you to kill something or someone. Some delivery quests are thrown in also.
If the reward you get satisfies you highly depends on wether it supports your play style and also on which character you took.
Characters
They all have their appeal, I personally like the Warlock for he summons demons. I like demons.
Their skills are well thought out in that they suit you to beat the game.
Storywise your Character answers in a generic kind of way lacking personality but without forcing you to his "ways"
The NPC's got the characteristics and differences, even if they rarely say anything. This allows for own thoughts and doesn't bore the hell out of you if you don't care about the story too much.
Gameplay
This is an unlinear RPG map. Though that is not entirely true in the beginning. In the beginning the developer decided not to hold your hand, what I appreciate. But the fact that you are fragile as a new born forces you to at least not take the southern way where the enemies are lvl4 and therefore deadly.
It also would be foolish to go too far west even though with some skill you can beat one or two trolls you really should consider going to town, discover some quests and then go north for lvl1 kobolds.
After that the non linear style shines as on every corner there is something to discover. Quests, enemies, loot.
You can choose which quest to follow and which to ignore and which to do first. I guess everybody got a different first take on this.
Overall very solid Gameplay, feels like a classic RPG map but I'll admit that it lacks originality. Don't expect new but expect good.
Secrets and Discoveries
There are a ton of different things you can do in this game that are not necassery, like getting the Helmet of true sight and to see what it reveals or to search for a way to kill the Shadow of the Mountain (Hint: It makes BAAAAAM!).
Trying out things and finding out stuff as well as discover the use of certain items is a major part of this game.
Items
There are different kinds of Items that can help you if you care to use them. Other than equipment there is also a shop to be found where one can purchase many different Spell Books.
This is actually really nice and ads another interesting aspect to this map.
Story
Some people probably didn't even notice but the Story is actually quite good also. Mid-Game its better than lategame. What lategame offers is a classic wrap up, as you probably already reached max level. Kill 4 enemies of different element and then the boss. The actual climax already happened with the 3 Dark Musketeers as i like to call them.
The Story about a dark being that was sealed centuries ago and now due to events in the early past is about to be set free, Or that is what you're supposed to belive, IS a very basic RPG-Plot and I'm glad to say that this Map feels like a good way to include that into Warcraft.
The ending suggests a sequel and one wonders how it continues since most RPG's with this plot ended at this point. As far as I know it still is under developement. I really hope so.
Layout
The map is very efficiently designed and feels like the different parts of the landscape belong together and that is considering that you got forests and cold regions (mountain). As usual for these maps, but this one made a good job.
Graphics
There was no attempt to change the look of the main game, which is alright.
Though I found the Elven City to be quite beautiful.
Bugs
I encountered no bugs whatsoever.
Well... I didn't get Gigas claw, probably because I killed him before I got the quest. I still showed the townsmen the claw I didn't possess and received 500 gold that he probably also didn't possess. So it was fair.
A very nice and very basic RPG to boot to kill 3-8 hours depending on your pase. Don't let anybody fool you, the map is quite fun if you're into RPG-Maps.
Krolan
The Twisted
Update due to the rightfully put suggestion by Hell Master to include a general rating:
Final Verdict: 3.5/5 (4/5 if I had to choose between 3/5 and 4/5)
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