Had two interesting weeks, working and testing Alexander, which is an 2009 old made map. I think that now it offers an optimal challenge, with a lot of cool options. Here is what is new:
First of all, a new outfit for options. As I don't see why a player would choose something more difficult, I took care so every hard option will offer an unique bonus, beside a penalty.
Alexander specialty was changed from logistic (how boring) to archery + bonus. All AI armies were accorded to the new parameters.
Immortal cost is now 10 gems/10k gold and every gem mine was removed from map. However a new option let you upgrade the mystical gardens, but at an army cost.
Every general has now itw own battles counter. For every 50 battles he wins, a 10 tiles bonus is added. For the entire faction, one of the hard options offers a bonus of +1 speed for each 100 battles won.
Various locations were improved, bonuses are ok, without being overpowered.
Battles have now their own historical description, in which I suggest how to win in a subtle way
Also the towns description was improved.
I believe that the game is far more interesting when playing with hard options, and is totally winnable. There is still a 12 months time limit because I hate the freeze game bug, but I always finished it in 7 months and I am not super fast.
And not last but indeed last, the link
Alexander the Great (3.2 Mb)