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Map Designer: [7th]MadHatter
Reviewed by: Tarrant[9th]
Story From the Text File:
"Once a stellar decoration for the Kushan Empire, the Valley Vortex is now the scene for yet another battle in the epic struggle over Hiigara. Can the Vortex draw you into its addicting conflict?"
Number of Players: 2-8
Starting Units:
Resourcers - 1
Research Ships - 1
Scouts - 5
What I Thought:
Layout -
What can I say about Valley Vortex other than it's one of the coolest maps I've had the privelage of playing. By looking at the screenshots above, you can tell right off that it breaks the norm in layout. Designed for up to 8 players, the middle outside edges consist of 8 resource arms that lead down and into the center of the map. The end of each arm represents a potential starting point for each player. This design draws everyone's resource collectors closer and closer to each other resulting in a brawl from hell by mid-game.
Combat -
Talking about brawls, I doubt anyone will experience a lull in action here except at the very first of the game. The wise person will quickly realize that the best way to win this map is to be aggressive. Build collectors and build capital ships. I've played this map several times and found the best way to win is to move a large fleet into the center and secure the area where the resource concentrations are the highest. Most of the battles are going to be attacks on, and defense of, resource collectors so be prepared.
Resourcing -
The resource levels in the arms are sparce on the ends but get considerably more dense as you get closer to the middle of the map. It's hard to tell from the screenshots but this map is pretty big and has a lot of resources for the taking. My best advice is to build as many collectors as is humanly possible. The most I've had here is 40 collectors roaming around. And, when (not if) the enemy starts taking out your collectors, you're going to need as many as you can get.
Overall -
If you couldn't tell from my rantings above, I love this map. It's always a first choice when firing up a game on the WON for the simple reason that it's just damn fun to play. The layout is unique and spacious, there are a lot of resources, and battles tend to erupt all over the place. A typical game with 5 or 6 players will take some time to play giving people like myself the opportunity to try those "special" tactics we enjoy unleashing on others when we have the time. I like to fight and I like money...need I say more?
Overall Rating: 90
Download "Valley Vortex"
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