Wow, so much detailed feedback. Eredalis, Church, thank you both. If you don't mind I'll reply to both of you at once, it will be easier for me since you have pointed out similar issues.
Eredalis wrote:Pretty tricky. I couldn't remember anymore that the base script (even easy a.i.) could have been such a pain in the ass.
I was surprised as well. I did not expect Ultralisks could be trained with "Zerg Campaign Easy".
Eredalis wrote:In terms of difficulty (low tech terran vs. protoss), it's a very slightly tangible objective in this mission.
Even if the crystal was harvested, you're be able to steal your way out of this mission the easy way by dodging all protoss reinforcements on your way back home to the beacon. This aspect fit's pretty good in this mission, whether it is intended or not...
But why should be a big khaydarin crystal formation on the surface of the moon of Halcyon? Khaydarin crystals are only on Aiur and as far as I know Schezar has operated on Aiur to steal the khaydarin crystals.
No, it was not intended, but I liked it during playtesting so I left it that way. I don't remember having read that Khaydarin crystals are only on Aiur, but I'm not a super expert of the Starcraft universe, perhaps you're right about it. By the end of the campaign, Schezar will retain the Cerebrate but will lose control over it: he will need new crystals, so that part of the continuity is preserved.
Eredalis wrote:Phew, that was a unnecessary long-winded mission.
Why such a big map with literally so much empty space? In this idle room lack way more resources.
Church wrote:Like the previous mission, this map is just plain too big, like Eredalis said. It drags on way too long and there is a lot of unused space. It really feels like a waste and hinders gameplay.
I know, that map is really too big. I wanted it to be large because I envisioned a charge of Ultralisks, but not that large. I realized it when the map was half completed, thus I was too far into developing to discard it and start anew. Sorry. I could mitigate this problem by enabling Nydus Canal, adding some more Protoss outposts along the way and perhaps some sparse resources.
Eredalis wrote:You offer an optional objective by destroying the outposts of the Kel-Morian-Combine. But instead the player HAS TO defeat these bases, otherwise there is no way to complete this mission. So it's all in all no optional choice anymore and that big map size with no other expansions inhibts the flow of play...
Actually there is an expasion in the bottom-left corner of the map. And one may decide to attack only the lower Morian base (the one with the geyser), while infesting (or not) the Command Centers. You can win this mission without attacking the Morians, plus you have a virtually immortal Torrasque. For these reasons, I'll leave it as optional.
Eredalis wrote:The idea behind this mission is cool. Very cool. Kind of improved terran mission 3 of the original Starcraft.
But I have to admit, I couldn't beat the mission without using cheats.
The supply boundary of 90 wasn't the best decision in my opinion.
I had needed some more Marines or Goliaths to defend the absolutely hotspot in south-west corner of the base, but one can't build more units because of that limitation...
So I wonder if there's a legal way to complete the mission. (The infested terrans...
NO CHANCE IN HELL)
Of course, it can be won. The key is to constantly upgrade your infantry and vehicle weapons (ignore infantry armor) as the Zerg waves increase. 90 supplies is enough, believe me. I made it that way because you are not raising a big army, you are struggling to protect a city. The two small gates don't need to be heavily guarded. Use elevation at your advantage. Do not put the tank in siege mode, it may damage your Bunkers and it also has a slow rate of fire. Infested Terrans will be targeted first: they put some scare but are not very dangerous, and in this scenario they "only" deal 100 damage. Elite Firebats can be stimpacked multiple times and are the key to defeat Ultralisks (of course you need to be quick, slowing down the game speed may help a lot).
Church wrote:I never fully understood where the "construct a Factory" objective came from? I recognise you're escorting an engineering team, and whatnot, but the adjutant never specifically said anything about a factory.
In the third paragraph of the briefing the Advisor speaks about a "new manufacturing site", I used this expression instead of "Factory" in an attempt to provide some variety to the dialogue, but I will change it if it's too much confusing.
Church wrote:The scene where Schezar joins you starts out fine, with Schezar sufficiently introducing himself. However, after basically one line from each of the main characters, the scene is simply over, and it's just taken for granted that Schezar has joined up with you here. That was kind of weird. In fact, on that note, it's bizarre that Larsson is so trusting of Schezar.
Yep, I agree, some additional dialogue wouldn't hurt here.
Church wrote:He doesn't seem remotely suspicious until Schezar literally picks up the Cerebrate in a Dropship. Sorry, what? In a Dropship? How the hell did he fit that thing in there?
LOLOL! I was expecting something like that... Uh, what can I say, perhaps it's a medium-sized Cerebrate... Perhaps it's a big transport ship... Come on, work with me here, eheheh.
Church wrote:Also in the ending sequence, Schezar asks Larsson to direct a message to the Governer for him. Why doesn't he just speak to the Governer directly since he's right there? Seemed weird.
Well, technically the Governor is not there, he is in his office doing boring stuff, perhaps receiving periodical reports from Larsson. Although the player impersonates the Governor during the whole campaign, the Governor himself is almost never the "protagonist" of the missions. He is present on the battlefield in missions 2 and 3 (but you are playing as Schezar, and the Governor is a passive witness) then again in mission 4 (where he intervenes directly) and mission 6 (but you are playing as Delta Squadron and the Governor is merely an advisor). He is absent from the battlefield in missions 1 and 5.
Church wrote:As I was saying, this map is too damn big. There is a lot of wasted space. Also, despite having a long path to the Khaydarin Crystal formation, there's really not a lot of Protoss guards barring the way.
In my opinion it isn't too much big. It's 128x128, after all. Of course, it does have empty space, but that was intentional. At this point of the story (in Starcraft, not only in this campaign) the Protoss are still a mistery for the Terrans. In my intention, this "spooky" map should have conveyed some sense of uncertainity as you face a relatively unknown enemy in uncomfortable conditions, since most of the terrain is not suitable for building stationary defenses on the way to the crystal. At this point, I fear that you will be disappointed by map size also in the final two missions.
Church wrote:I liked the nod to the Sara system in the briefing. It seemed kind of weird to have Wraith tech and not Siege Tanks. That's about all I have to say about this mission.
If the player had access to Siege Tanks he would be able to wipe out the Protoss base, and this is not intended to happen.
Church wrote:Also, was "vile aggression" a subtle reference to Laconius' campaign?
Nope, it's a coincidence. The only campaign from this site that I've played so far is "War of the Tribes" by Gabriel Sorrel. Very good camapign, though it's too difficult for my tastes.
Church wrote:Also, can you explain exactly what Schezar is talking about in the following line?
I reread it probably ten times and I still have no idea what the hell he's talking about.
You, as the Governor, do not approve Schezar's criminal methods, and you do nothing to hide it. Schezar argues that he doesn't need you anymore. He lets you go because you are not a threat to him, and he says that he will use Halcyon to breed his Zerg. If you don't infest the Command Centers, Schezar will get rid of you at the end of the mission, using a slightly different dialogue.
At this purpose, I shall gladly accept any advice on how to improve the story. I'm not a good story teller, plus English is not my native language, so putting together meaningful dialogues was the hardest part for me (I'd say that having been able to limit errors and typos is a major achievement by itself)
Eredalis wrote:To put the main question in another shell: why have brought the protoss a khaydarin crystal formation to a meaningless moon of a terran fringeworld?
The Protoss did not bring the crystal formation, it was already there. Those Protoss are part of Tassadar's Expeditionary Force, they landed on the moon of Halcyon not for the crystal per se, but because they were suspicious of Schezar's intentions.
Thanks again for your useful comments, I hope you will enjoy the rest of the campaign.
Cheers!