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Author |
File Description |
RF_Gandalf |
Posted on 05/04/06 @ 02:05 PM
River Crossings II
Random map scripts for AOE3
by RF_Gandalf
River Crossings II and River Crossings II Plus are new random map scripts characterized by a simple central river with 1 to 4 shallows crossings, with the teams separated by the river. This is a larger version of each - approximately 1.67 times the original diameter and about 3 times the area of the originals. The greater size gives a different game, requiring less of a rush style and more need to play with some strategy.
In the 'Plus' version, the only difference is the addition of 2 outpost wagons for each player at the start. Both maps are contained in the same zip file.
This map is one with defensive possibilities, including the possibility of walling, or at least the use of the shallows as choke points. There are 15 different randomly chosen terrain patterns, and include appropriate rivers, forests, fauna, lighting patterns and treasures. The map uses the same 'river' and 'shallows' construct as found in the Yukon and Pampas maps, and also includes the previously unused 'Amazon River' river terrain for the 'green' terrain patterns. The map plays somewhat similar to the Highlands map for AOK.
There are 4 different patterns of Trade Routes, with variation in number and placement of the sockets. There is always one Trade Route on each side of the river. Unlike the Pampas map, the trade routes do not intersect the river and will not prevent walls to control the crossings.
There are either one or two Native American types per map; these will vary in number and are placed in a variety of fair, symmetric patterns and combinations. The natives will match the terrains loosely.
Player position and location will vary randomly, more so in a 2-player game (in a 2 player game the players are not always in a directly opposite position). There is full support for the Free-For-All play with any player number, with the players placed randomly on one of the two sides of the river.
The addition of the outpost wagons in the 'Plus' version gives a little more defensive flavor to the map - these can be used at the base to protect your initial economy or moved to the crossings to help defend there. Of course for the Russians, the outpost wagons transform into blockhouses and are usable more offensively. Consider that the Texas map starts each player with 2 outposts or blockhouses also (though they cannot be placed at will like these). Anyway, I found these a fun variation - hope you will too. Note that the AI will hold the outpsot wagons in their town area until the second age, then at some point erect them in their town - the AI does not use these aggressively to hold resources or crossings as a human might.
These are good maps for coordinated teamwork in planning a good defense, and of course, executing an offense to break the enemy's defense.
Note - you can build docks at the river crossings, but ships cannot cross the shallows. Also note that there are only a few fish in the maps that use the 'green' terrains and the 'Amazon River' construct - the Pampas River and Yukon River do not seem to take fish via a RMS script (although you can place fish in them in the Scen Editor).
To play this map, the two files for each version (River Crossings II.xs and River Crossings II.xml or River Crossings II +.xs and River Crossings II +.xml) must be placed in the folder: My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM. Please do not place them in the game's install folder - that will not work. When you start up a skirmish game in Single-player or Multiplayer, use the small blue 'Custom Map' button, which allows you to then select one of the random maps in that My Games folder from the drop-down window. Note that the .xml file will give a map description at the startup screen.
Thank you to ES for giving us the tools to do this! Thanks to those community members who provided testing and feedback for this map version. Note to those testers - this final version is slightly edited to give better resource spacing on the larger map.
Hope you enjoy the map.
Feedback appreciated!
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Author | Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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ScaryLarry |
Posted on 05/08/06 @ 01:07 PM
Rating: 5
The larger size of these maps make them far superior to the "regular" sized maps. You mentioned the lack of fishing in the maps. Is there any way to change that in the script? Regardless, it is helpful to have docks and a nice Navy near the crossings. This is one of the reasons that the larger maps are better as Monitors make the game too easy on the smaller sized maps.
Additional Comments:Thank you! If not for your RMS, I would have canned this game a long time ago.
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HatTrick |
Posted on 04/05/08 @ 09:49 PM
Playability: 4
Almost TOO big!
Balance: 3
One native tribe is a little boring, but two is more fun.
Creativity: 5
Cool, spectacular map.
Map Design: 4
The above put together adds up to be a great, but not spectucular map.
Detail/Accuracy: 4
As far as looks, fine.
Additional Comments:
Great map![Edited on 04/05/08 @ 09:50 PM]
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HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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4.5 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 4.5 | Balance | 4.0 | Creativity | 5.0 | Map Design | 4.5 | Detail/Accuracy | 4.5 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 5,577 |
Favorites: [] | 0 |
Size: | 36.77 KB |
Added: | 05/04/06 |
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