Yuri0352
Elder Member
I decided to start this thread because...
1) Fight for Seoul, both the Smith's Ridge and Seoul city maps.
Lots of variety, including rising terrain, unique buildings (with historical labels!), railroads, new stream types, etc. The artwork, especially the shadowing of the rooftops is absolutely stunning. The excellent and amazingly well balanced combined arms scenarios are a real bonus. I'm really finding it nearly impossible to play anything else.
2). Festung Budapest.
IMO, the most revolutionary urban map since Red Barricades. Unique building styles (I love the large multi-story stone building with the central courtyard, I created some serious 'Jenga stacks' fighting in that one!). I especially enjoyed the open terrain areas such as the large 'Central Park' where the gliders could land, and the Castle Hill. As with 'Fight for Seoul', FB has exceptional replay value for me.
3) Kampfgruppe Scherer.
I confess to being a real fan of winter maps. I guess I don't possess the requisite visual imagination to completely enjoy playing winter scenarios on maps that resemble summer terrain. The inclusion of 2 maps representing winter and spring terrain was revolutionary for an HASL, and something which I wonder if we will ever see again. Again, like Festung Budapest, I enjoy the presence of some of the open terrain, which coincidentally also allows for glider landings.
Another prime example of the visual labor of love which the designers for LFT lavish upon their products.
4). Hatten in Flames.
I admire this map not only because of the beautiful winter terrain artwork, but for its simplicity (lack of hills primarily). The historical layout of the town and the interesting, less than obvious lines of sight make for interesting gameplay situations. Perhaps one of the most exciting 'urban' or 'town' HASL maps for tank battles.
5). Ruweisat Ridge (second edition).
Since DTO is my favorite sub-category of ASL, I felt that I would be remiss in not including what is apparently the only desert HASL map to date. The layout of the ridge and the characteristics of the surrounding terrain allow for both the long To Hit shots so beloved of ASL desert players as well as allowing the attacking/counterattacking infantry units to have a fair chance of actually reaching their objectives. The fighting on the ridge on this map in no way resembles the congealed mess of wadis and cliffs which we have been forced to use for (IMO) far too long on board 25. Hopefully new desert HASL terrain (Tunisia?) will one day be in the ASL future.
Honorable Mention:
I really admire the HASL maps for Gavutu-Tanambogo as well as Operation Chariot. I would include these in a personal Top 10 for their historical aspects and especially for uniqueness of gameplay.
Full disclosure:
I have not yet received my order for CDG 2, although considering the persons involved in the design of the Dinant HASL, I would not be surprised if this product would merit inclusion in my list in the future.
I look forward to hearing your opinions!
- I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and choices regarding HASL maps.
- I thought I might mitigate the potential derailing of the Dinant thread with this informal survey.
1) Fight for Seoul, both the Smith's Ridge and Seoul city maps.
Lots of variety, including rising terrain, unique buildings (with historical labels!), railroads, new stream types, etc. The artwork, especially the shadowing of the rooftops is absolutely stunning. The excellent and amazingly well balanced combined arms scenarios are a real bonus. I'm really finding it nearly impossible to play anything else.
2). Festung Budapest.
IMO, the most revolutionary urban map since Red Barricades. Unique building styles (I love the large multi-story stone building with the central courtyard, I created some serious 'Jenga stacks' fighting in that one!). I especially enjoyed the open terrain areas such as the large 'Central Park' where the gliders could land, and the Castle Hill. As with 'Fight for Seoul', FB has exceptional replay value for me.
3) Kampfgruppe Scherer.
I confess to being a real fan of winter maps. I guess I don't possess the requisite visual imagination to completely enjoy playing winter scenarios on maps that resemble summer terrain. The inclusion of 2 maps representing winter and spring terrain was revolutionary for an HASL, and something which I wonder if we will ever see again. Again, like Festung Budapest, I enjoy the presence of some of the open terrain, which coincidentally also allows for glider landings.
Another prime example of the visual labor of love which the designers for LFT lavish upon their products.
4). Hatten in Flames.
I admire this map not only because of the beautiful winter terrain artwork, but for its simplicity (lack of hills primarily). The historical layout of the town and the interesting, less than obvious lines of sight make for interesting gameplay situations. Perhaps one of the most exciting 'urban' or 'town' HASL maps for tank battles.
5). Ruweisat Ridge (second edition).
Since DTO is my favorite sub-category of ASL, I felt that I would be remiss in not including what is apparently the only desert HASL map to date. The layout of the ridge and the characteristics of the surrounding terrain allow for both the long To Hit shots so beloved of ASL desert players as well as allowing the attacking/counterattacking infantry units to have a fair chance of actually reaching their objectives. The fighting on the ridge on this map in no way resembles the congealed mess of wadis and cliffs which we have been forced to use for (IMO) far too long on board 25. Hopefully new desert HASL terrain (Tunisia?) will one day be in the ASL future.
Honorable Mention:
I really admire the HASL maps for Gavutu-Tanambogo as well as Operation Chariot. I would include these in a personal Top 10 for their historical aspects and especially for uniqueness of gameplay.
Full disclosure:
I have not yet received my order for CDG 2, although considering the persons involved in the design of the Dinant HASL, I would not be surprised if this product would merit inclusion in my list in the future.
I look forward to hearing your opinions!