Scenario Review: Liberty 8 - Glory

[scott]

So I have some feedback on the new rewrite. It keeps to the original tone throughout, and I really like it - up until the last scenario. ESR changed something that the new writer expanded upon. I think people thought it might have been a mistake, but it was intentional. I don't think I told anybody it until now.

Originally upon returning to the villages, Baldras (finding it empty), was totally drained, and the ones who fled were full of despair. Instead of heading southwest (ESR's edit to make the story consistent with the map), the original story was that they headed DUE WEST. They were actually leaving Wesnoth forever (like, across the ocean leaving). They concluded they were unable to resist and had totally given up. Despite the victory at Halstead, it was true.

In the original epilogue artwork, there was a moment of peace and hope when Baldras was headed to the coast to follow their trail, so the ups and downs of the epilogue were building towards the final fate of the group. I miss that scene - a ride through a dimly lit forest with light peeking through.

Also Harper was originally allowed to die in this scenario. Losing Harper just built on the sense of loss, loneliness, and bleakness.

Baldras followed Relnan (now Relana) but was pulled off course and marooned on the Isle of the Damned, owed to some arcane effect of the undead infestation attracting them. It was never clear what happened to the earlier villagers - did they also get marooned, or did they make it west? Did they all die in a storm? It was supposed to be a bleak ending to a bleak campaign. I guess it only hits if you tell people about it!

The current ending is great, and I love it. I am happy to just tell people about the original (and pre-mainline) vision for this story.

[gnombat]

I miss that scene - a ride through a dimly lit forest with light peeking through.

[JoelPera]

(1) What difficulty level and version of Wesnoth have you played the scenario on?
Fugitive (Challenging), 1.18.7

(2) How difficult did you find the scenario? (1-10)
8.

(3) How clear did you find the scenario objectives?
Crystal.

(4) How clear and interesting did you find the dialog and storyline of the scenario?
Clear.

(5) What were your major challenges in meeting the objectives of the scenario?
Doing the two corners on the east side where the reinforcements kept coming. Had do to a good amount of baiting and distracting the enemies.

(6) How fun do you think the scenario is? (1-10)
9.

(7) What, if any, are changes you would have made to the scenario to make it more fun?
Most fun here, fitting for the finale. Good use of tactics including using the Orc side as distraction and then the Paladin guy who kelps us. The last parts though, I was on my own. Using the ranger's all terrain movement and convenient ability to recruit skirmisher Rogues were the units who could checkmate them.

Closing comments: I like the new artwork. Good ending. I did notice one thing: so it's hinted they settle on The Three Sisters. On Heir to the Throne, you do get shipwrecked on one of those islands should you take the sea route and you do find outlaws fighting undead there. Part of Baldras and Relana's group? It was also dramatic to be see what was happening to Elensfar here before you liberate it in Heir to the Throne, hits you harder then (in a good way).

(8) Was there any event that caused you to lose the game and forced you to reload or restart the scenario?
Surprisingly, no.

[JoelPera]

Closing comments: I like the new artwork. Good ending. I did notice one thing: so it's hinted they settle on The Three Sisters. On Heir to the Throne, you do get shipwrecked on one of those islands should you take the sea route and you do find outlaws fighting undead there. Part of Baldras and Relana's group? It was also dramatic to be see what was happening to Elensfar here before you liberate it in Heir to the Throne, hits you harder then (in a good way).

Forgot to add: Though it's a lightweight campaign, the writing we see between each campaign about the bond Baldras has with Harper from his perspective (seeing parts of his sister in her) was beautiful.