VI2 Review in UK's PCGamer (Feb 09)

[Aradan]

"Viking Invasion II: The Expansion Pack Medieval II Never Got"

Viking Invasion II, the mod created by MasterOfNone, has taken the slot as the main feature in the Downloader section of this month's issue of Britain's best-selling PC games magazine, PCGamer (February 2009, Issue 197, p. 80).

"This is about as good a Christmas present as the Total War community could hope for," the 1-page feature begins after its flattering title ("Viking Invasion 2" was rumoured as an expansion for M2TW at one point for those who are wondering). "It's the revered Viking Invasion expansion for the original, aged Medieval: TW, remade for the prettier Rome: TW - The Barbarian Invasion" it continues.

Viking Invasion was started by MasterOfNone in early June of 2008 after securing permission for the use of resources from Arthurian Total War and Chivalry Total War. After digging up the old files of Age of Vikings and Fanatics, MasterOfNone set about creating the build and gluing it all together, with odd pieces of other mods and his own creations with a goal of recreating the campaign and atmosphere of the original game.

The mod, the development of which went on in secret at Halie Satanus's In The Shade forums, took form quickly and Halie, Antagonist, DaVinci, Aradan, and Uranos all chipped in with support. Aradan became a lifesaver during the development of the mod and single-handedly did the ancs, traits, unit balance, and campaign balance; even helping out the beleagured MasterOfNone with a good part of the input for the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle!

"The scale of the thing is incredible," PCGamer goes on to write, "and it grants Rome a seriously different feel."

After listing some of the features of the mod, the article reads (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) : "This mod is filled with improvements...and you can play as the Welsh." (emphasis in original)

Two screenshots have been taken. One portrays a small Welsh army fighting Celtic rebels, the second shows the campaign map centered on LLandrillo, Wales, with the settlement scroll open and displaying Rhodri Mawr as governor.

I think the article writer likes Wales.

Although the mod article indicates that VI2 is on the DVD, they have in fact placed the Multi-Mod Sampler (by MasterOfNone and Makanyane) with an invite to their readers to give feedback as to which of the nine mods featured on it they would want to see full reviews for in the future. If anyone can find it, let us know!

There is a redirect link given at the bottom of the article which takes the reader to the official page at http://www.topnotchmods.net/mods/vi2/

This issue of PCGamer (UK) (on sale in stores as of today) also contains a six-page spread called The Art of Total War which discusses the TW series with Mike Brunton (who has worked on all of the TW games). There is also a 2-page preview on Empire Total War.

Please buy the magazine to read the full article and all the total of 9 pages on Total War!

[Antagonist]

More richly deserved publicity.

Antagonist

[Legio]

As I said in the front page thread, very well deserved, guys!

[Aradan]

Thanks guys!

[Mr Mac]

Incidentally, this review made me register at Total War Center and say great job! I loved playing Viking Invasion a while back, can't wait to try this puppy out in the summer!

[cherryfunk]

How did you guys get a 'real' publication to review the mod? That's quite an achievement!

[MasterOfNone]

That's great to hear that Mac!

Cherryfunk, I think PCGamer is more willing to review mods than people generally think. Of course, it helps if your mod is professional and unique. VI2 of course had the additional appeal of being the cult classic VI brought to life on the newer engine - so I think that had a lot to do with it being published. MMS (the Multi-Mod Sampler) has also been on PCGamer coverdisc twice - again, a unique "mod" that samples the units of other mods. PCGamer actually asked readers which of the MMS mods they would like to see reviewed - and if they go enough feedback they would review them I'm sure. You see, I'm helping promote others' mods too through MMS

[cherryfunk]

That's very cool -- did they contact you for the article, or did you send them stuff to get on their radar?

[MasterOfNone]

I contacted them about VI2, but they put MMS on the coverdisc in the same issue of their own volition (although when it first appeared about a year ago I had contacted them).

[cherryfunk]

Very smart of you... no wonder they call you the 'master'...

(btw, I'm stealing this idea for RS2.0 )

[MasterOfNone]

You are of course also free to steal my efforts which led to the complete modfoldering of mods

[Aradan]

Please, do!

[cherryfunk]

Originally Posted by MasterOfNone

You are of course also free to steal my efforts which led to the complete modfoldering of mods

I'll try, no promises though...

[Mr.Blackadder]

Really well-deserved !

Aradan became a lifesaver during the development of the mod and single-handedly did the ancs, traits, unit balance, and campaign balance; even helping out the beleagured MasterOfNone with a good part of the input for the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle!

How does the moment you read that feel , Aradan ?

[Aradan]

I wept, when I read that.


MoN is very kind.

[TheWarluster]

Congrats on the article!

I also noticed VI2 was featured in the national Australian gaming magazine, PC Powerplay. The first R:TW mod they've reviewed in ages!

[MasterOfNone]

I knew about the article, but did not know it was the first in ages.

[Aradan]

Yay for VI2!

[Agisilaos]

Congratulations guys! You deserved it