Warlords II Scenario Review

NORSE.ZIP 176,001 bytes: Norse Mythology, 8 players, 47 cities, 3 temples
plus 21 other ruins.  Based on Norse mythology, with a world map and cities
showing Scandanavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, western Finland, northern
Germany). "Ragnarok is near; the time of the final battle between good and
evil."  Author: Will Michael.

Rating summary, scale of 1 to 10:
Wt Area          Score Comments
10 Army set          8 (excellent, with only a few useless army types)
 7 Map design        9 (excellent work, a couple of rough places)
 5 Army pics         9 (excellent!  usable for random games also)
 5 City pics         8 (excellent, except white's cities which are good)
 3 Background info  10 (excellent background info, a model for others)
 2 Cities/ruins      4 (some are good, but most descriptions are blank)
 2 Items/heroes      8 (excellent, though hero names are limited)
   OVERALL RATING  282

"Norse myths and legends have been thoroughly researched and are represented
in this scenario."  And he's done an excellent job all around, with the
picky exception that I wish he had filled out descriptions for the ruins
instead of leaving them blank.  The names mean little to me.

The armies are completely redesigned, with Gods (they are mortal in Norse
mythology), the wolf Fenrir, the hound Garm, the World Serpent, and of
course, Valkyries.  The artwork is excellent, and the armies are well
balanced for playability -- use them in random worlds if you wish.  The
only criticism I have of the armies is that Eagle Shape should take 2 turns
to produce, since it's stronger and faster than Ravens.  One thing I like
in this army set: the stronger armies walk, and are slower than the default
army set, so the game can last longer.

Play it with hidden map on the first time, off thereafter.  (No fair if
you know the world and the computer players don't.)  Diplomacy and quests
on.  This is a scenario you can play over and over again, as any of the
eight sides, for an enjoyable game.

===

This review is copyrighted by myself, but may be distributed in any
UNMODIFIED form as long as NO CHARGE is made for distribution (such
as a per-minute charge for online time) and it is not included in any
copyrighted "compilation" (such as claimed by certain online services
I will not name).  Dirk Pellett