Warlords II Scenario Review

ESESGEE: 8 players, 41 cities, 25 ruins (including 4 temples).  Available
only by buying the Warlords II Scenario Builder.  Battle on the Isle of
Esesgee.  Author: Mark Hill.

Rating summary, scale of 1 to 10:
Wt Area          Score Comments
10 Army set          4 (default army set, with all of its problems)
 7 Map design        8 (interesting design, some cool features, limited)
 5 Army pics         6 (default)
 5 City pics         9 (default)
 3 Background info   2 (mostly in the form of signposts)
 2 Cities/ruins     10 (complete names/descriptions)
 2 Items/heroes      4 (default items and heroes, which is ok)
   OVERALL RATING  205

I had this scenario very low on my priority list, since it seemed from the
name it would be a throw-away joke scenario, but in a moment of frivolity
(that sometimes happens for some reason!) I chose it and started playing
it.  It turned out to be a fairly good job, interesting and worth playing
for its own merits even ignoring the shape of the islands.  (They don't
spell "SSG" by the way.  Play with hidden map at least the first time.)

Like other scenarios from SSG, this one uses the default armies, cities,
items, and heroes, so there are no bonus points for those, and the only
things open to change are the map, city / ruins names and descriptions,
plus signposts for flavor.  This scenario does an excellent job on those
features, thereby giving personality to the opposing forces in the war.
The map, while constrained (and a bit strained) by the obligation to spell
something, is still rich in detail and strategic possibilities, rather
than the bland layout I had expected from the scenario name.  It is nice
to see another map using the cities to guard the roads, instead of just
allowing enemy armies to pass by the city unhindered.  Sure, it may be a
pain when you don't own the city -- that's the point!

While this isn't going to be one of your favorite scenarios, it is worth
playing, and even worth replaying from different sides.  Play with hidden
map on and quick start off the first time.  For a replay, I recommend
having quick start on, since several sides are close enough to force them
to stay at home to defend, while other sides can be aggressive at the
beginning.

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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
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