First thing you'll want to do upon spawning (for the first time) is to check out the bases. The reasoning for this is sound: when you first lay eyes on them, you'll have an uncontrolable urge to see every bit of them, without taking time out for the mission. So get that out of the way. I absolutely marvel at the base construction. The underground structures and the use of custom textures is second to none that I have seen. Even tho' the areas can seem a little cramped with more than one person in them, wow.. how can you fault it for that, when the rest of it is so stunning?
Scattered around the landscape are broken pieces of machinery.. each is a custom structure. In fact, nothing about this map is not custom.. the sky, terrain, buildings, textures. It's all new, and it's all incredibly detailed and well-done.
Flag defense is almost laughably easy: the flag is on a pedistal, within close proximity of two base turrets, plenty of spider clamp space and spike acreage, and the sensors completely blanket the area in coverage.
Unfortunately for the defense, the laughing stops once the Offense gets going. All it takes is a bombing run or two, and a rogue tank loose in this wide open area to wreak absolute havoc on defenses, and a capper would probably have short work of dodging in/out for the flag in the midst of such chaotic happenings. In fact, I believe that's the only way it's even possible to cap; soften up the defenses to the point of liquidation, and then rush your offense.
Playability is extremely easy, no matter what your chosen rolè. Flag defense has a few perfect vantage points to snipe from where your back is covered, and the Heavy D can sit atop the low, rolling hills nearby to get a good spot on the flag. There's enough places for farmers to go to work, the mobile scouts will have a good time skiing, HO doesn't have a problem moving around even without a transport.. there's few obsticals for air vehicles, allowing some incredible dogfights, and the bases make for intense, claustrophobic battles.
Attention to detail doesn't lack. At all. In no area can I find fault for the mapper. From the sky (check out those mountains!) to the seamless blending of terrain, atmosphere and structures, there is no area for improvement that I would dare suggest.
Balance is an area that is very well done, and intelligently thought out. An explanation is required here: It is obvious that at first the defense has the upper hand.. in reality, a talented defensive task force could effectively lock down the flag, and prevent a single cap. However, the generators for the base are such that they are spammable to the extreme. A single Heavy could easily render the base powerless, and what then? So the offense is, to a point, very difficult.. but then again, it's easy at the same time. It's a very, very well executed balance along the lines of offense/defense workings.
Item Placement is an interesting point in this map. The "main" inventories are right in the open, on the top of the base exits.. perfect to mortar, bomb, whatever you want to do to get rid of them and that poor sap rearming. There are, of course, other ways to get your armaments.. but they are out of the way, and rather time consuming.
The Mechanics of this map are what I really enjoy. (Aside from the eye-candy, of course) The way everything is so carefully orchestrated to click with everything else. Gameplay utilizes terrain and base layout to influence battle plans, and the way everything co-depends on the rest is amazing. Even the tunnel through the map is of immense importance.. the enemy could be amassing a force, ready to pour out of it.. but to find out, you've got to spare someone from your desperately needed defense to check it out.
Overall, this is sure to be loved by just about everyone (saving the occasional, idefatigable cynic) that plays it. You can not only find an aspect of the map tailored specifically to your style of gameplay, but you'll have incredible fun while doing it.
Take some pictures while you're at it, too! Creations like this doesn't come around too often.