I like to do detailed, critical reviews of maps, generally with a holistic scoring method and several walls of text. I did several dozen such reviews back on Hive for WarCraft III maps, so now I guess I'll start again here. I'll post every review in this thread and link it to this original post. I generally take requests, so if you want me to review your map, you should suggest that I do so.
Internally, I always use a numeric scoring system, but I don't show the math behind it (lets me focus on the words). The overall score will be Copper, Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Roughly speaking, Those scores correspond with a C, B-, B+, and A overall score. Below Copper are Iron and Coal for especially bad maps (D, E, and F grades), and above Gold are Platinum and Diamond for truly wonderful maps. Diamond quality would essentially be something I would definitely pay for if it became a premium map. I might note in the review if the map landed in the lower or higher range of the rating. I will not reveal the math behind reaching the 8 score levels from the various criteria grades and whatnot, but rest assured it will be highly consistent and will accurately reflect the overall quality of the map. I always adhere to the system so i can remain more-or-less unbiased, since it is a lot easier to be truthful of the individual sub-scores than to the overall grade.
The main criteria are Fun, Gameplay, Content, Polish, and Flavor. Fun covers enjoyability, thrill, and whatnot. Gameplay covers the balancing, dynamics of play, gaming conventions, flow, etc., but in the case of a review of a cinematic map or something gameplay will instead be adapted to the more technical or quality-oriented criteria of a movie review. Content includes the completeness of the map in general, the assets used, the stuff that can be done, etc., including imported stuff. Polish is about the bugginess of the map, how well it is presented, the form, the interface, and such. Flavor is essentially the style and the charm of the map. In my scoring system, Flavor is influenced by Fun, Fun and Gameplay are inter-dependent, and Content is heavily dependent on Gameplay. These five main criteria are graded on an F-A scale (including E) with the additional (JRPG-ripped) S rank above A.
In addition to this, Replayability is scored on a scale from 0-5. The reason for it not being a letter grade is because the number corresponds to the square of the amount of times I would tolerate playing it before getting bored or angry. Thus, 5 (25 games before i get bored) is exceptional and 0 is, obviously, pretty awful. Most maps will probably be in the 1-2 range, based on what I've seen. The way Replayability affects the score depends entirely upon how good the rest of the map is.
Finally, there are two sections titled Failures and Bonuses for extra points that I feel are worth mentioning in the scoreboard rather than just the review, and they will be rated +/- 1 to +/- 3 depending on how severe/amazing that particular part of the map is. This is a pretty free-form section that will vary wildly from map to map, and is completely subjective.
Maps to Review
I review the map I want when I feel like reviewing it. I read requests but do not usually follow up on them.
To find a good RPG, I'd have to review all of them just to determine which ones are good. I'd prefer something more specific than that... But I'll review a random RPG that I find if nobody else suggests something.
This is a totally self centered suggestion, but I'd like a review of my map. It's a simple 1v1 melee map, but I've put quite a bit of time and effort into it. As well, many people at starcraftarena.net have said it seems to be a good map.
My criteria aren't really made for melee maps, plus I generally review custom maps only, so I won't be giving it a review.
Judging by the image of the map, it seems that there are some almost-superfluous bits of the map, such as the platform in between the main and natural expansion. That's a great spot to put some siege tanks to cover the alternate path and the entrance to the natural expo, but I can't think of much else use for that platform except maybe for a little extra base space. In fact, there are quite a few mid-level catwalk areas that just SCREAM "Put siege tanks here!" The catwalks are generally all connected, so a simple tech to a mech build will give a terran player a huge advantage. Even reapers would be very useful. I guess protoss could use stalkers and colossi, but not to the extent that a siege tank build would dominate the map. Besides that, I think the base placement is very good and should offer some interesting gameplay, especially since two of each side's expansions are blocked off by TWO rock walls.
I got a request to review Haunted Temple via PM, so I'll give it a whirl. Also, YiffMaster's review of Ultimate Tank Defense does a pretty good job of reviewing the map. In fact, it's good enough that I feel my own review would be too redundant, so I'll be skipping the UTD review.
At some point, after I've done more reviews, I can go back and give scores (but not full reviews) to some of the maps that I have decided against reviewing.
If you can't find enough people to play it, you can usually find me in the IRC channel, or, you can easily play it by yourself to learn how to play. The game will automatically create AI opponents for you. Take your time, as I've got a content update coming after the Blizzard Map Contest is over.
Central Review Conglomerate
I like to do detailed, critical reviews of maps, generally with a holistic scoring method and several walls of text. I did several dozen such reviews back on Hive for WarCraft III maps, so now I guess I'll start again here. I'll post every review in this thread and link it to this original post. I generally take requests, so if you want me to review your map, you should suggest that I do so.
Reviewed Maps
The Sorcerer's Defense
Bounty Hunters
Debates
Haunted Temple
THE Card Game
Nexus Wars
Golem Wars Classic
Level Up Bound
Partycraft
Scored Maps
Doodad Hunt
Destroy All Monsters!
Ultimate Tank Defense!
Scoring System and Criteria
Internally, I always use a numeric scoring system, but I don't show the math behind it (lets me focus on the words). The overall score will be Copper, Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Roughly speaking, Those scores correspond with a C, B-, B+, and A overall score. Below Copper are Iron and Coal for especially bad maps (D, E, and F grades), and above Gold are Platinum and Diamond for truly wonderful maps. Diamond quality would essentially be something I would definitely pay for if it became a premium map. I might note in the review if the map landed in the lower or higher range of the rating. I will not reveal the math behind reaching the 8 score levels from the various criteria grades and whatnot, but rest assured it will be highly consistent and will accurately reflect the overall quality of the map. I always adhere to the system so i can remain more-or-less unbiased, since it is a lot easier to be truthful of the individual sub-scores than to the overall grade.
The main criteria are Fun, Gameplay, Content, Polish, and Flavor. Fun covers enjoyability, thrill, and whatnot. Gameplay covers the balancing, dynamics of play, gaming conventions, flow, etc., but in the case of a review of a cinematic map or something gameplay will instead be adapted to the more technical or quality-oriented criteria of a movie review. Content includes the completeness of the map in general, the assets used, the stuff that can be done, etc., including imported stuff. Polish is about the bugginess of the map, how well it is presented, the form, the interface, and such. Flavor is essentially the style and the charm of the map. In my scoring system, Flavor is influenced by Fun, Fun and Gameplay are inter-dependent, and Content is heavily dependent on Gameplay. These five main criteria are graded on an F-A scale (including E) with the additional (JRPG-ripped) S rank above A.
In addition to this, Replayability is scored on a scale from 0-5. The reason for it not being a letter grade is because the number corresponds to the square of the amount of times I would tolerate playing it before getting bored or angry. Thus, 5 (25 games before i get bored) is exceptional and 0 is, obviously, pretty awful. Most maps will probably be in the 1-2 range, based on what I've seen. The way Replayability affects the score depends entirely upon how good the rest of the map is.
Finally, there are two sections titled Failures and Bonuses for extra points that I feel are worth mentioning in the scoreboard rather than just the review, and they will be rated +/- 1 to +/- 3 depending on how severe/amazing that particular part of the map is. This is a pretty free-form section that will vary wildly from map to map, and is completely subjective.
Maps to Review
I review the map I want when I feel like reviewing it. I read requests but do not usually follow up on them.
The Sorcerer's Defense (Reviewed: 18/10/10)
Bounty Hunters (Reviewed: 17/10/10)
Debates (Reviewed: 12/9/10)
Level Up Bound (Reviewed: 10/9/10)
THE Card Game (Reviewed: 20/8/10 – Revised 27/8/10)
Golem Wars Classic (Reviewed: 25/8/10)
Haunted Temple (Reviewed: 22/8/10)
Partycraft (Reviewed: 21/8/10)
Nexus Wars (Reviewed: 18/8/10)
Doodad Hunt (Scored: 10/9/10)
Destroy All Monsters! (Scored: 25/8/10)
Ultimate Tank Defense! (Scored: 25/8/10)
Find a good RPG and review that please.
@fxsdcf: Go
To find a good RPG, I'd have to review all of them just to determine which ones are good. I'd prefer something more specific than that... But I'll review a random RPG that I find if nobody else suggests something.
Suggestion: THE Card Game
I've made the first review...
Nexus Wars
Suggestion: Ultimate Tank Defense! D:
Here we have review #2. Now with pictures!
THE Card Game (PENDING RE-SCORE)
This is a totally self centered suggestion, but I'd like a review of my map. It's a simple 1v1 melee map, but I've put quite a bit of time and effort into it. As well, many people at starcraftarena.net have said it seems to be a good map.
If you want to review it, it's Transition Alt and can be found here: http://www.sc2mapster.com/maps/transition-alt/
Let me know if you decide for or against reviewing it.
My criteria aren't really made for melee maps, plus I generally review custom maps only, so I won't be giving it a review.
Judging by the image of the map, it seems that there are some almost-superfluous bits of the map, such as the platform in between the main and natural expansion. That's a great spot to put some siege tanks to cover the alternate path and the entrance to the natural expo, but I can't think of much else use for that platform except maybe for a little extra base space. In fact, there are quite a few mid-level catwalk areas that just SCREAM "Put siege tanks here!" The catwalks are generally all connected, so a simple tech to a mech build will give a terran player a huge advantage. Even reapers would be very useful. I guess protoss could use stalkers and colossi, but not to the extent that a siege tank build would dominate the map. Besides that, I think the base placement is very good and should offer some interesting gameplay, especially since two of each side's expansions are blocked off by TWO rock walls.
Suggestion: Destroy All Monsters!
Alright, another one.
Partycraft
I got a request to review Haunted Temple via PM, so I'll give it a whirl. Also, YiffMaster's review of Ultimate Tank Defense does a pretty good job of reviewing the map. In fact, it's good enough that I feel my own review would be too redundant, so I'll be skipping the UTD review.
At some point, after I've done more reviews, I can go back and give scores (but not full reviews) to some of the maps that I have decided against reviewing.
Suggestion: Golem Wars Classic
If you can't find enough people to play it, you can usually find me in the IRC channel, or, you can easily play it by yourself to learn how to play. The game will automatically create AI opponents for you. Take your time, as I've got a content update coming after the Blizzard Map Contest is over.
Finished the fourth review... I'll probably take a break.
Haunted Temple
All right, I've got five done already!
Golem Wars Classic
Went ahead and scored one of the maps. This is not a review, but just a general indicator of quality.
Also, with just a little bit of improvement, Ultimate Tank Defense could be Silver. As it stands, however, it just doesn't cut it.
This is a Map Scorecard, not a full Map Review. I will not make my usual elaboration of the scores this map receives.
Ultimate Tank Defense! by Cyrileo
Fun (Enjoyability, Thrill) - (C+)
Gameplay (Balance, Dynamics) - (B-)
Content (Completeness, Assets) - (B)
Polish (Bugginess, Presentation) - (A-)
Flavor (Style, Charm) - (B)
Replayability - [2-]
Failures
No Player Instruction - [-]
Strategically Unintuitive - [-]
Bonuses
Complementary Units - [+ +]
Good Path Design - [+]
RATING:
Bronze: This map is decent, but rough around the edges or somehow lacking.
Screenshots
The signature unit of the map: a tank that’s also a bunker.
This is one Mighty Marauder. Why is it mighty, you ask? Because it has two stacked marauder models!
A bad situation indeed.
Retroactive edit: My standards changed, so all the older reviews have their scores dropped by 10%. This affects the rating of Destroy All Monsters!:
I did two of these at once, so here's the other.
This map was fun, but it was painfully easy. The monsters are really unique, though.
This is a Map Scorecard, not a full Map Review. I will not make my usual elaboration of the scores this map receives.
Destroy All Monsters! by KerenskyLI
Fun (Enjoyability, Thrill) - (B+)
Gameplay (Balance, Dynamics) - (C+)
Content (Completeness, Assets) - (B+)
Polish (Bugginess, Presentation) - (A-)
Flavor (Style, Charm) - (A)
Replayability - [1+]
Failures
Hard/Pointless to Micro - [-]
Map is Too Easy/Too Fast - [- - -]
Massive Lag - [-]
Bonuses
Cool Monsters - [+ +]
Good Progression - [+]
Urban Combat Gameplay - [+ +]
RATING:
Silver: This map is not perfect, but is entertaining and of good quality.
Screenshots
Your own forces will be putting on the hurt way more than the monsters ever could.
Infantry die fast.
You know it’s a bad sign when your own units have more beams than the mothership monster.
This monster didn’t even stand a chance.
Will you only be reviewing UMS maps, or will you also review custom melee maps?
@Arelhi: Go
I will not be reviewing melee maps.
So, how come no map has got a Gold rating yet?