History

The original review thread began back in October 2004 and ended around March 2006. Its purpose was to get people into reviewing other's submissions, as a way to help each other improve and give them recognition when they did well. We discovered some great scenarios and reviewed a large number of submissions such that, at least at the time of its closure, almost every recent submission, going back several years, had at least one review.
Although the original thread will no longer be updated anymore as Richard has retired as an active reviewer the remainder of the thread serves mainly as a historical reference, and some information will be out of date. If the new people want to take a look they can here.

I trust Richard has enjoyed his time with you guys and he is sad to see his thread end, but he is still out there in the wings. People always need support and encouragement so I am here to ensure that this is not the end of reviewing and I intend to review everything submitted (with much needed and grateful help from other reviewers out there). This is to ensure all designers get feedback on their work and know where they are at with their designing Also so all down loaders have a rough gauge of the quality of submissions, and a descriptive review to read when browsing files to download. As long as people keep looking after each other there will be plenty of feedback and a strong community.

Overview

Welcome to the new AoEH Players and Reviewers Board I hope it meets with each and every ones approval. The reviewers’ board will remain somewhat the same as for submissions campaigns and scenarios. The only thing I have adjusted was the Unofficial Reviewers Team. If you feel that you would like to include it later then by all means do so, but I think another thread would be better suited. Any reviewer is always welcome if others wish to contribute.
As stated in the earlier thread, reviews and feedback are a huge boost for a designer, and really support the community. If you play a campaign/scenario etc that hasn't been reviewed, pop in a review for it, it only takes a few minutes to write, when you have probably spent an hour playing it. Read the review guidelines if you haven't done so already, you can find them here
This thread isn't just about reviews, it's purpose is to talk about campaigns you have played, new scenarios etc, anything like that.
We aim to review everything submitted, so all designers get feedback on their work and know where they're at with their designing, and all downloaders have a rough gauge of the quality of submissions, and a descriptive review to read when browsing files to download.

I have revised this so that Campaign of the Month is based on new reviews and not with just new submissions. All un-reviewed campaigns and scenarios qualify.
This will still hopefully follow up with a small description of the campaign/scenario
There will be a first place and a runner up nothing more is needed I would think. That is unless another campaign/scenario is so close we will give it a special mention.
The amount of times these are downloaded and reviewed will warrant the placing. The ranking is also important and I would still suggest that you must achieve a 3.5 to be placed in this ranking. I posted a link to the original reviewers thread here. This is for all old campaign recognitions,review results and old campaign of the months and such. I believe the original thread will be used as an archive of the good campaigns from Richard's time running it.
Thanks to Richard for a job well done and his advice, imput and experience is forever appreciated.

Reviewer Warning

Although we do have a moderator(s) in charge of checking reviews but even they get behind at times
With the new downloads system people can post reviews without vetting or sending them to Phil. Some have chosen to abuse this by treating the downloads as an alternate forum where they think the rules don't apply. Phil and team have always made a point of trying to have staff that can cover all time zones, but as such they are only human and cannot moderate things 24/7.
Here now is a standard reviews warnings form that is send out to those we catch.

They are as follows:

1.Your review of '[Insert name of file, or link to page, that was reviewed here]' is unsatisfactory for the following reason:
The review was badly written with frequent spelling and/or grammatical mistakes.
Please remember your review is public. It only takes a minute to spell check your work and avoid embarrassment.

2.Your review of '[Insert name of file, or link to page, that was reviewed here]' is unsatisfactory for the following reason:
The review was too short and lacked detail.
Reviews are supposed to give the author tips and suggestions on how they can improve their work, as well as giving a fair reflection to others of the quality of it. A review that does not inform is no use to anyone. Either supply more detail or convert your review into a comment.
You have 3 days to modify your reviews and comments so they comply with the Code of Conduct. Please read the Review Guidelines before writing reviews in future. Failure to comply will result in harsher penalties.

3.Your review of '[Insert name of file, or link to page, that was reviewed here]' is unsatisfactory for the following reason:
High score, with little or no explanation. If someone has impressed you that much with their work, simply giving it a 5 and saying, "this is great" may seem flattering but it does not help the author and is an insult to the time they spent on it. If their work has made such an impression on you then you should have plenty to say about what you liked, which parts you thought were so well done that you gave them such a high score, what could possibly have been improved and so on. Keep it constructive. If you cannot be more specific and helpful than you have been, convert the review to a comment.
If you continue with this type of "review" you will be considered to be trying to rig the score. This will not be tolerated.
You have 3 days to modify your reviews and comments so they comply with the Code of Conduct. Please read the Review Guidelines before writing reviews in future. Failure to comply will result in harsher penalties.

4.Your review of '[Insert name of file, or link to page, that was reviewed here]' is unsatisfactory for the following reason:
Low score with little or no explanation. If the work really does deserve such a low score, then you should have plenty to say about why it failed to impress you and how the author could have made it better. People cannot improve unless they are encouraged to and told where they went wrong, and this kind of lazy negativity is unacceptable. Keep it constructive and, if you cannot be more specific and helpful than you have been, convert the review to a comment. Be aware that blatant negativity will not be tolerated even in a comment.
If you continue with this type of "review" you will be considered to be trying to rig the score. This will not be tolerated.
You have 3 days to modify your reviews and comments so they comply with the Code of Conduct. Please read the Review Guidelines before writing reviews in future. Failure to comply will result in harsher penalties.

5.Your review of '[Insert name of file, or link to page, that was reviewed here]' is unsatisfactory for the following reason:
The review was attempting to rig the score.
Please remember scores are supposed to give a fair reflection to others of the quality of the work. There is nothing to be gained in artificially rigging the score to be high or low. This defeats the whole point of the review system and will ultimately get you banned.
You have 3 days to modify your reviews and comments so they comply with the Code of Conduct. Please read the Review Guidelines before writing reviews in future. If you continue to post reviews just to rig scores, you risk incurring harsher penalties.

6.Your review of '[Insert name of file, or link to page, that was reviewed here]' is unsatisfactory for the following reason:
The review was insulting the author.
Please remember reviews are supposed to HELP the author. You should say which things you found good about the work and also provide CONSTRUCTIVE criticism where necessary. Insulting the author is treated as flaming and, as on the forums, we have zero tolerance for such personal attacks.
You have 3 days to modify your reviews and comments so they comply with the Code of Conduct. Please read the Review Guidelines before writing reviews in future. If you continue acting in this way, you risk incurring harsher penalties.

OUTRIGHT BAN (CC to Seraph and FMT)

You have ignored your warnings and our request for you to change the way in which you review and comment. You are banned for a week. You may fill out an unban form which will go to the Forum Management Team. This also counts as an appeal if you feel you have been banned unfairly.
Until you have filled out an unban form and the FMT has decided to lift the ban you will be unable to post to the forums or downloads. Further infractions of the Code of Conduct will result in longer ban periods, eventually becoming permanent.
I suggest you spend this time away from us to reflect on the consequences of your actions. Should you show no maturity in accepting responsibility for them, you give us no reason to allow you back.

I hope that by posting them here in the AoEH Players and Reviewers Board II we can correct this over site.

Here you can browse through some of the available links that have been newly generated.

Downloads- The Downloads Central
Designer's Board- A place to meet other designers and share ideas
GenieWiki- A wiki for all information on AoE, where you can add your knowledge too
AoE Last Resort- Andrea Rosa's fantastic
website contains additional hints on map design and info on his AoE campaigns.

Campaign/Scenario of the Month
All un-reviewed campaigns and scenarios qualify, so upon playing a scenario or campaign submit your review or(if the campaign or scenario have been previously review and received a ranking of 3.5 or higher more than twice),a comment. If what you have played has achieved this score and you feel you must review it do so, but it will not be awarded review of the month if it achieves the highest ranking for that month. This ranking will go to the campaign/scenario that has not been previously reviewed. This is so we can find the hidden gems I know are among the submissions never reviewed. I hope this meets with everyones approval.

APRIL
I had a hard time deciding how to do this. The campaign that received the top score for this month was in fact a single player campaign called The Great Journey Of The Empire by razier . It received a 4.4, but in comment form so we could not judge it properly. I will at a later date play and review this myself.
Arena Map by Max_CRAZY received a 4.3 yet this is a multiplayer map and was not reviewed by the players together to it too failed to make the grade.
This leaves me with a single players scenario called Nirvana which received a 3.5by Stephen Ryan
With a well-written story and some good tricks, this is quite a decent scenario. Although it is difficult and probably requires a deal of experience with AOE to attempt. It is mainly a puzzle style scenario. You must climb a great mountain to rescue your King Xerxes who is trapped in "Nirvana". Some traps and puzzles block the way with the added pressure of having to get up quick enough to stop the "Gods" building a Wonder. This scenario requires regular saving.
With this said I am not going to submit a runner up, as most were multiplayer campaigns or scenarios. Lets hope the month of May has a better outcome.

MARCH
The campaign/scenario for this month goes to (Good one) Marena's siege - Sunus Insurrection by cosowar this scenario recieved a 4.4 A great single scenario campaign about a self proclaimed Roman Imperator, General Marco Sunus and how you must stop him from gaining this position. Enemy heavy catapults really do a number while trying to get close or trying to build a force. After a lengthy back and forth battle taking ground inch by inch you can prevail. Gaining a foothold and converting siege, I began a massive “Shock and Awe” before sending in troops to clean up. Yes a tough go if you lose footing and have to regain.
The story is well written and it has a certain length, which makes it more interesting. There was a really good bitmap.

Our runner up goes to Battle of Thermopylae by Crossbowman This scenario recieved a 3.1 Yet another in the history of the battle of Thermopylae, you again must lead king Leonidas of Sparta to defend Greece from the attacks of king Xerxes of Persia.
The scenario was interesting how you don’t have to defeat the whole army; in fact you are on the losing side, fighting only to delay the Persians. The battle between the invading Persians held back by the Spartans is always a favourite.

FEBRUARY
The campaign/scenario of the month is a single player scenario called Government Backdoor(Ver. 1.1) by Little Angel.
This scenario which received a 4.9 is essentially a fixed-force and puzzle scenario.You must try to overthrow the government by destroying the government centre. Do not try a direct assault as it will probably lead to your doom. A lot of effort has gone into this. The units are carefully placed and the layout of the map has been carefully considered. Well worth downloading.

Our runner up which received a 4.8 goes to a campaign called Crystal Blue River by FireLegion_56. This campaign is a story about a fight over a river between to empires who think each is the rightful owner. Two empires, one the Biyang Empire, ruled by King Nintoku , the other the Simyin Empire ruled by King Sei.
This campaign has an original story and plot and idea with a beautiful intro map.
A mix of many styles including common Build and Destroy, Fix Force and quest like style.
This campaign is a real thinker that will keep you going for hours. Well worth the download. At the time of writing this, this writer was just restarting for the fifth time.

JANUARY
The campaign of the month if from a newcomer, which recieved a 4.4 is a fictional campaign called The Flue'lan by urbackyard
This is a story about the Flue'lan, a small empire under threats from the evil Kaskezians and the mighty Tacans. You must try to keep Flue'lan safe or they may be just another empire lost and forgotten.
Along with the campaign there is a language file to install to enhance the game experience that changes the names and messages that appear during the game.
An interesting campaign to say the least. Little tricks used that made it interesting to play. I find a lot of potential here.

DECEMBER
There were two campaigns which received 4.2 this month.
The Mystical Lands by nikokol
This is a campaign about samkhada - a lost empire. Your job is to defeat the enemies attacking you and open new trade routes.
There is a simple puzzle at the start that you must solve to get your hero to safely. A nice combo of tough fighting and resource gatherings.

The second one goes to YewMan Trilogy by GeorgeROR
Yewmen is a fantasy/fictional campaign where you are playing the Yewmen who have to fight off several enemies. There are lots of cool ideas in the map design again and most of them looked awesome. There is eye candy everywhere you look and these maps aren't small.

NOVEMBER
Our campaign of the month goes to a historical campaign called
The Glory of Amon Ra by Phil Phree
In the previous story: Part 1, The Vision of Amon Ra , chronicled his rise to power and how he became a hero. In this sequel, Amon is called upon to tackle a group of religious fanatics but things are not what they seem. To learn more download and play it as you will not be disappointed.

OCTOBER
Our campaign of the month goes to a historical campaign called The Rise of Moses (RoM) by GeorgeROR
It is a campaign, which deals with life and working of Moses who lead God's people out of Egypt slavery. It is some kind of remake of the same campaign from same author.
You start out with a whole new scenario where you have to relive Moses' life as child and youth. Moses meeting with God, the death of that particular Egypt - the pharaoh's son - and thus the reason for which Moses had to escape.
The escape from Egypt through the Red Sea, about the Ten Commandments, the golden calf and the defeat of Egypt army.
All of them were fun to play. If there hasn't been that bug with the countdown all scenarios would be very challenging. Still, if you keep a fast pace you will be able to fulfill all tasks before time runs out. But beware: Sometimes you have to be well prepared before doing your next step.

Our runner up goes to a historical scenario Conquest of Babylon by Imhotep who received a 4.8, bringing it up to a all around 4.5
As commander of the Persian army under King Cyrus the Great, you must conquer the city of Babylon and enter the Temple of Marduk (Tower of Babel). You will discover the wonders of the ancient city, the famous double walls of the city described by Herodotus and the Hanging Gardens (one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World).

SEPTEMBER
The Beginnings of an Empire by FireLegion_56/Tropper
This is a campaign about the beginning of the first Assyrian empire.
It’s full of eye candy, gorgeous bitmaps and loads of Fun. Custom Ais and Pers for this campaign so it will be hard. A really great historical campaign, classic build and destroy.

The runner up this month goes to a really nice demo named
Echmolis Demo by Chris Mattox
The rotting jungle city of Echmolis. Wore down by time, overgrown by the jungle. Your job, rush the gates and get to the main island of Echmolis City. Beautiful jungles and islands. If you have ever been to any place remote you will get the feel right away.

AUGUST
TROJAN WAR by JOEY
This is about the Trojan War. Troy, Achilles, Hector, the Olympians, etc...
The scenarios consist of many styles including conquest, discovery, puzzle, limited army, assassinations, naval battles, land battles and wonder building. The variety keeps this campaign fresh and interesting all the way through.

Our runner up goes to The Round Table by John S Marshall

JULY
WHEN IN ROME by, Rich Parker
This single player campaign has wonderful game play, great map design and everything else a good scenario needs. You won't get bored playing.

Our runner up goes to an impressive scenario FORTRESS by, Kyle Leach

JUNE
The Eagle of Rome, The Lioness of the Nile by, Gordon Farrell.
This is a very good historical fixed force scenario. A great mix of challenges. As strategy does play a big role you will have to be observant and patient. Good storyline very good map design as the cities were laid out quite neatly with a large palace at the rear.

Our runner Overlords by, Ian Hoskins
This is the first of Ian's Age of Empires campaigns.

New submissions

Scotland
Rise Of Kassis
Flight from the Shire
Ancient World (Greece)
ANATOLIA real map
Survive or Die
North East Asia
What people to use for The Lord Of The Rings
An azzurite story demo
The Great Journey Of The Empire
The Ambitious Mahasamanta
Blank Maps
AOE beta scns
Alexander the Great demo (ROR c)
Greece
Korea and Bohai
The legacy of Korea
Operation kill king Zevcosa
The persian Wars

AoE

CPN
Reviewed 0/411 files

SCN
Flight from the Shire
Reviewed 0/517 files

RoR

CPX
Rise Of Kassis
The Great Journey Of The Empire
Alexander the Great demo
The legacy of Korea
Operation kill king Zevcosa
An azzurite story demo

Reviewed 0/280 files

SCX
The Ambitious Mahasamanta
Ancient World(Greece)

Reviewed 0/206 files

Age of Empires/Rise of Rome: Multi Player Scenarios
The persian Wars
ANATOLIA real map
Survive or Die

Newly Reviewed Scenarios

MAY

April-21

Arena Map(4.3) AOE_mapper_newb
Nirvana (3.5) Dean McCullough
My Multiplayer Map(3.2 ) Dean McCullough
Multiplayer Arena - 4 player only(3.1) Dean McCullough
The persian Wars(2.5) Dean McCullough
Flight from the Shire(2.4) Nezon
The Battles of Shallow Creek(2.4) Dean McCullough
Quest Of Alexander(2.4) skald
Citadels(2.2) skald
Age of Chess II(2.1) IICDO
Rise Of Kassis(1.8) Nezon
Rise Of Kassis(1.7) AOE_mapper_newb
The Revenge of Hero Herisfon(1.6) skald
Survive or Die(1.6) AOE_mapper_newb
The War of Greece I(1.6) skald
Waterworld (1.6) Dean McCullough
Iraq, 2004(1.4) Dean McCullough
gemeas ilhas(four islands)(1.4) skald
Oasis(1.4) skald
The Lowlands(1.4) skald
War of Clans(1.4) skald

[This message has been edited by IICDO (edited 05-03-2007 @ 10:22 AM).]