I really needed some relaxed gameplay after the brutal battles of Champions of Khandia, and I couldn't pick a better map. Spark of Ean'lu is a revolutionary puzzle-adventure game that brings SC mapping to a whole new level and will be remembered for a long time. Be advised that this map is for Starcraft Remastered only: sadly, those who have the original game won't be able to experience it. So here's my review:
PRESENTATION: A-
Clean presentation with a short and crisp intro, gorgeous soundtracks and spot-on sound effects. Right from the first moment, you know you are in for something truly special. The map comes without a documentation or readme which is a small comedown.
GAMEPLAY: A
The gameplay is smooth and solid, and the control system is perfectly implemented: you use in-game icons to collect, examine and interact. Of course you have an inventory, it uses in-game icons as well, and the icons chosen are intuitive. Some of the puzzles were objectively difficult; luckily for me, I'm a seasoned adventure game lover, so I'm used to these sort of brain teasers: I never got stuck, and I was able to complete the game in less than 2 hours without having to watch the playthrough. Other players may have a harder time, but they will find a plethora of hints in the on-screen texts.
MAP DESIGN: B
Since this is a puzzle scenario, map design must be evaluated in terms of how it affects the gameplay dynamics: under this aspect, everything is done perfectly, with luxuriant jungles, dimly lit interiors, gravelly grounds, abandoned structures, etc. Some more detail and eye candy would have been nice, but I understand that having too much stuff on the screen could have ruined the experience, since most of the objects are not just there for decoration but they act as visual clues.
STORY: A
Your journey begins in a land time has forgotten. Your world is slowly dying, and the only way to avoid the ultimate catastrophe is to penetrate the Vaults of the Visitor from Afar and find a way to reignite the planetary core. From here on out, the story evolves thanks to on-screen texts that recount past events and give useful hints. The game oozes with atmosphere and the experience is immersive.
ORIGINALITY: A+
The creativity skyrockets in Spark of Ean'lu. EUD triggers are used at their best to create otherwise impossible dynamics: moving platforms, conveyor belts, objects hidden under piles of scrap, chemical experiments, genetic manipulation, and much more! This could be the most creative map ever made - it surely is the most creative map that I've ever played. Kudos!
Nomen omen - the name is a sign. Because Milestone did really create a milestone in SC gaming. Apparently this is the first in a series of chapters, and I can't wait to see the next installments. Download and play Spark of Ean'lu now, otherwise I'll cry.
~~~ Si vis pacem, para bellum ~~~