Hickory Branch Roundup So I've completed Krunch's new MOD, Hickory Branch. Lots of fun, I must say! Here are a few thoughts: PROS Challenging battles. Some unique monsters, such as the orc witch, orc shaman, orc captain, etc. The enemy spellcasters use intelligent AI, just like Liv's spellcasters. Good map design, with all the invisible work that no doubt goes into that. Interesting positioning of foes on the map, i.e. the animal trainers and archery instruction. Pretty smooth play throughout, which speaks to the large amount of playtesting that must have gone into it. HB's place in the story's queue happens to work quite well for getting larger groups an extra level or so before heading to the temple. Allyx, Blue, and Spellslinger's new world map paths. CONS Raging orcs! If I never see another raging orc I'll not be sorry . . . but we'll leave that discussion for another thread. A couple tricky sectoring or pathfinding issues-related areas. SUGGESTIONS Hickory Branch needs a backstory. Unless I'm missing something, there seems to be no explanation for why all that stuff is going on at Hickory Branch. The mod could use (but doesn't have to have, to be sure) some exposition as to why Hickory Branch even exists, as well as possibly some dialogue with the creatures you encounter there. This is just a friendly suggestion, and I most definitely understand and appreciate that I have no say in the matter. But, to help Hickory Branch realize its full potential and become an integral part of the ToEE story, why not enlist Old Book to write a story for it? OB has certainly shown his creative fiction-related chops in the 'Elves in the Temple' thread, and I for one would love to see some of his caliber of writing added to Co8's official modpack. We could even add key dialogues to Zorn's voice order list to help give HB that seemless feel. I haven't consulted Old Book as to his willingness to do this, or Zorn as to his willingness to voice any characters, but I think it would be worth running up the flagpole nonetheless. Watcha think, Cap'm? Lastly, I'm planning a little something as a kickback for all your effort, krunch. And no, it's not cake and ice cream. A certain Axl of Essex, England might be on the receiving end here too. Stay tuned. :mrhappy:
Yes. No? Indeed. Perhaps nothing we have considered can't be arranged? Then again, maybe everything we haven't considered has already been arranged? :twitch:
