Clone Wars: Kashyyyk

Description
This is a newer version of Warlord28's "Clone Wars: Kashyyyk." If you remember at all its [url=http://starwarsbattlefront.filefront.com/file/Clone_Wars_Kashyyyk;93088]earlier version[/url], you'll remember that it was a [b]huge[/b] map - but managed to avoid the pitfalls huge maps usually have.

This holds true still - this is a fantastic map, and I have no problem still supporting my earlier assertion that it is the best Kashyyyk map we've seen to date.

Of course, the most noticeable thing about this map is its size - you will see straightaway upon playing it that this is easily one of the biggest modmaps you can download (excluding space maps). What is so incredible about the size, though, is how well it's used. While there [i]are[/i] open areas, it never feels like there are empty areas. All the space is full of props or at least foliage, and it's all well-placed and conservatively used - I never saw any real lag, even with what was surely an expanded unitcount.

Size aside, the design is very well done, too. I can really buy into the idea that I'm on Kashyyyk when I load up this map - stock SWBF1 and 2 assets are well-retextured and combined with a few custom assets to create a completely believable setting for a battle between the CIS and Republic (with a side of Wookiee).

Custom vehicles are used very well - you'll see a couple of unused assets or psych0fred's assets in here alongside stock (edited) vehicles. What I most liked though (and I suppose it technically isn't a vehicle) is how the author took the time to make sure the Trade Federation Landers had destroyed geometry. I always think it's kind of silly when something that large just blows up and disappears.

If there is any gripe I could have with this map, it would be the length of the battle. The reinforcement count is set to nearly 2000 for each side, and with a spread-out large battle like this one, it's nigh unto impossible to force a conquest victory. I tried - even cheating to make my character invincible and fast-moving - to force a conquest victory, and could not. This of course means that you simply have to grind down nearly 2000 opponents to make the battle end, which could easily take an hour. I don't know that I want to play a single match that lasts that long.

Battle length concerns aside, though, this is an incredible map and by all means, if you enjoy seeing what modders can do with a lot of hard work, check this map out, because it's a great example of well-done mapping.

-Mav