Let's start with some comments (and b***ing) about the map:
The River
Until reading the "first spoiler" thread and catching an offhand reference, I did not
know that the river to Carib would allow the passage of resources.
And I am not the least bit ashamed of learning it this way. If anyone should be ashamed, it is the game's designer (Firaxis) for allowing such counterintuitive nonsense. It is certainly not covered in the rulebook (oh, wait... there
is no rulebook).
Maps, gold, technologies, and sundry threats can be magically airlifted in the 3rd century. Yet even a hardy explorer cannot navigate a mountain pass (a deep river pass, no less!). Unfriendly cultural borders block the flow of resources, but not Caravels, and I can only guess as to how they affect trade routes.
Again, I say, this is not laid out in the rules; and there is no consistency with other game mechanics that would allow a player to accurately deduce it.
You (jesusin) are forgiven for making use of the mechanic, but fie on Firaxis for allowing it.
The Ice Barrier
Cactus Pete -
I felt tricked. You thought all the players would anticipate a barrier to circumnavigation?
jesusin -
I want medals and awards go to the best players. This is a big cause of concern for me. I'm worried. What makes you to think that?
Cactus Pete -
The partial map revealed early begged for Astronomy ASAP as the optimal way to conquer the world quickly and garner rewards. If one didn't recognize that and directed efforts towards other research, that was likely to be rewarded.
I wouldn't necessarily say I feel "tricked", but otherwise I'm in full agreement with Cactus Pete. The player who knows the designer (you) and correctly anticipates the map design gains a massive advantage (as does the fool who makes a wild guess).
I expected to circumnavigate, as no ice barrier could realistically cross the
open sea (hydrothermodynamically speaking, the ice-shrouded inlets are much more plausible). Curiously, I thought it possible that there would be a second barrier, but I assumed it would be like the first, with mountains included, probably between Isabella/Asoka and the Normans. Did that occur to anyone else?
So my final caveat(s): The map was innovative, the gameplay was interesting, and it was a fun experience. I'd certainly be eager to play another "Mystery" map should you feel brave enough to make one. But the final score and finish date do not accurately represent the quality of play.
And now some notes on my game:
As
previously mentioned, I founded Confucianism in Saxon and did not flip Carib (nor did I bother to conquer it), so we were a great, Godless empire. Funny, but not important.
jesusin -
Interesting question about this: Imagine there was a hole in the sea barrier or no sea barrier at all. Having read about the best domination date so far, achieved going Easwards:
Do you think that loaded galleons travelling Westwards would have led to a faster domination?
Perhaps not, but,
a) As previously mentioned, I didn't catch the river-route mechanic, which would have encouraged me to start picking off French cities
much earlier. Instead, I beelined Astronomy and was well set-up for a seafaring war.
b) Finish date, schminish schate. The intro screen commands me to build "A Civilization that will Stand the Test of Time" and I play for score as much as speed. Even if slightly slower, the transoceanic strategy would be higher-
scoring because it would devote more resources to advancing technology and developing the homeland.
c) There were plenty of units (many well-promoted) left over from the Mongolian-American wars which went to waste. And don't forget that Saxon/Carib still have to build transports and warships, even if the distance is short.
d) Circumnavigation is hardwired in my DNA.
jesusin -
Did anyone look for parachuters in the civilopedia?
...
Did anyone try airports?
...
Did anyone try something else?
I considered airports, airlifts, and paratroopers, 'though I used none (the latter for obvious reasons). I also kept wondering why I couldn't pop a Great General during my early wars. Where
is he?
jesusin -
If you had already flipped a barb city:
Did anyone try US to buy units?
Did anyone try drafting?
Did anyone try HE in the East?
Definitely on the last. As soon as I mapped the ice barrier, I build the HE in Saxon.
But in my circumstances, Universal Suffrage would've been a waste. Instead, I built 6 or 7 Catapults in Saxon and then spawned Spearmen (the cheapest unit available at my tech level)-- I ended out with about 14 of them on the east side. Then when I hit Rifling I turned off the tech slider (temporarily), upgraded the whole batch, and did France. I was generating so much commerce at that point that I was able to upgrade to Infantry by the time I faced England, although it wasn't really necessary.
Oh, and I
did settle the little island with horsies down south. Because I could.
Cheers,
Jason