Playability has its ups and downs. With a solid team and previous practice, one will easily dominate this map. Rough terrain and deep waters are just a few of the obstacles teams must overcome. With a well coordinated team and though-out strategy, teams will have no problem with this map. Teams with little knowledge of it will have major problems. Not knowing the terrain will result in your offense having a hard time getting to the enemy base. Keeping your base up and running is also a must. With the repair pack outside the base, and multiple entrances to your generators makes it very hard to repair your base. A solid defense will easily be able to stop any attacking forces looking to destroy your gens due to your base being atop a hill.
The attention to detail in this map, however, lacks. It is a very well organized map, but lacks detail. The only eye candy is the "Banshee Tree", acting as a tribute to the Tribes player, BaNsHee. Nothing else stands out and catches the player’s eyes.
The balance in this map is perfect. The map is mirrored both ways, thus making the terrain equal for both teams. All items are placed on both sides of the map and are in the same location.
Item placement almost qualifies as "perfect". The bases are placed atop a hill to compensate for the multiple entrances to them. The flag is exposed and is capable from all directions, but if a capper gets stuck in the water, he will have a tough time getting out. If the defense stops the enemy flag-carrier, they can easily disc the flag into the water and make it nearly impossible to grab. On the contrary, the flag is vulnerable to mortar spam. One thing I dislike is the hilly terrain separating the two bases. This allows minimal action in the midfield.
The mechanics in this map are so-so. Most of the action takes place at the bases; there is hardly no need for a midfield player. Once your flag is taken, it is nearly impossible to retrieve it due to the ugly terrain.
Overall I am really impressed. The gameplay and balance makes this a perfect competition map. Who needs detail when its a competitive map?
-Verna