Approved
Map Reviewer
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2011
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Review - Abiogenesis
(Version November 5th 2023)
Synopsis: Abiogenesis is a two-player melee map featuring the Outlands tileset. The unnatural-looking map fits the title, strange combinations of creeps guarding the plentiful neutral objectives.
Map Aesthetics: The visual style is unique and quite classic of your style. While a little strange it fits the name, though at times it feels like a scrapbook with different pieces just thrown in together and mixed. Still, the aesthetics are clear and functional. Clever use of Support Column as decoration. One thing that is lacking in the visual department is the flatness of the map - some Raise / Lower -tool would be appreciated to make the ground look less like plastic (especially with Barrens Desert which lacks depth).
Map Layout: The layout is nice with multiple objectives open for contesting along the diagonal axis of the map. The map has a lot of open areas, but also obstacles and layout points to play around with. The low-ground base is an interesting approach as it's something you would not like to let your enemies near to, though the high ground is not extremely close to the base, though still enough to give the attacking party an advantage. Combined with this the expansions can act as buffer zones to get more control on the map.
Neutral Objectives: The creep camps seem balanced in drops and strength. Their macro-placement is also very nice. The Goblin Merchant camp creeps look a tad bit squeezed and could use a bit more space to access the creeps, but this is a minor issue.
Map Gameplay: The map is suitable for melee gameplay. While the mixture of different themes is a little distracting and weird, the map is very playable and seems balanced. The diagonal axis gives various objectives to contest early on. The expansions are vulnerable, but very much worth taking as they give more control and time to react on approaching enemies as the main base can be hard to defend due to the aggressor-favoring ramp as well as the Mercenary Camp being left on their side, very interesting setting there.
Recommendations:
Give the terrain a little love with Raise / Lower tool.
Open the Goblin Merchant camps just a tad bit for more access to the creep backline.
(Version November 5th 2023)
Synopsis: Abiogenesis is a two-player melee map featuring the Outlands tileset. The unnatural-looking map fits the title, strange combinations of creeps guarding the plentiful neutral objectives.
Map Aesthetics: The visual style is unique and quite classic of your style. While a little strange it fits the name, though at times it feels like a scrapbook with different pieces just thrown in together and mixed. Still, the aesthetics are clear and functional. Clever use of Support Column as decoration. One thing that is lacking in the visual department is the flatness of the map - some Raise / Lower -tool would be appreciated to make the ground look less like plastic (especially with Barrens Desert which lacks depth).
Map Layout: The layout is nice with multiple objectives open for contesting along the diagonal axis of the map. The map has a lot of open areas, but also obstacles and layout points to play around with. The low-ground base is an interesting approach as it's something you would not like to let your enemies near to, though the high ground is not extremely close to the base, though still enough to give the attacking party an advantage. Combined with this the expansions can act as buffer zones to get more control on the map.
Neutral Objectives: The creep camps seem balanced in drops and strength. Their macro-placement is also very nice. The Goblin Merchant camp creeps look a tad bit squeezed and could use a bit more space to access the creeps, but this is a minor issue.
Map Gameplay: The map is suitable for melee gameplay. While the mixture of different themes is a little distracting and weird, the map is very playable and seems balanced. The diagonal axis gives various objectives to contest early on. The expansions are vulnerable, but very much worth taking as they give more control and time to react on approaching enemies as the main base can be hard to defend due to the aggressor-favoring ramp as well as the Mercenary Camp being left on their side, very interesting setting there.
Recommendations:
Give the terrain a little love with Raise / Lower tool.
Open the Goblin Merchant camps just a tad bit for more access to the creep backline.
