hiiii
I'm just going to list my opinions on the first 12 solo maps listed for the time being (both from a builders point of view, and a players pont of view).
Angelic
Aesthetics - Aesthetics here are really nice; the theme looks wonderful and has been presented appropriately. One of my favourite maps aesthetically, and there's nothing I would personally change other than remove some excessive flora placed on the ground on each of the islands and make it more natural rather than bonemeal-spammed, and additionally, touch up the clouds and make them have a more fluffy vibe as they have some sharp corners and unnatural shaping imo.
Gameplay - It's okay; the connecting islands are annoying and provide some players with an advantage over others due to the height distance requiring more blocks; I think if you are to keep a high difference with the clouds it would be best to add more notably visible platforms for players to build to.
Overall a really nice map (favourites).
Beach
Aesthetics - Very simple, yet effective; palette looks really nice and so do the trees. Not much to comment on here other than perhaps minor details could be added to the island perhaps smaller rocks?
Gameplay - Really open. This is a very bow-dominant map in any instance. There should be a little more a] openness and space to prevent being so easily knocked off b] cover to allow people to hide within the map itself. Also not a huge fan of the tnt bridges as once destroyed, you have to build over, I think there should be some sort of broken down bridge with holes for parkour just as a sort of last resort. I'd also like to see mid a little bigger as it's not good for pvp as you can easily get knocked off.
Overall quite a good map, with some changes could be a lot better (neutral).
Birdhouse
Aesthetics - Really beautiful looking map. Simplistic yet perfect palette. Works incredibly well, tree has a beautiful organic shape which I definitely love.
Gameplay - Some islands have an advantage in reaching middle faster than others; I'd try, where possible on maps to consistently keep islands the same distance from middle to allow for balanced gameplay. Player islands are perfect for gameplay, open, but also plenty of cover. Perhaps a few more diamond ore though. Connecting islands are far too cramped. There's no space. PVP here is extremely difficult for players, and I'd definitely like to see the size increased here. Birdbath at middle undoubtedly supports camping and makes it incredibly easy for anyone with a bow to win. I'd like to see some sort of way to get up there rather than just pillaring with blocks so it doesn't give players an easy win with a bow.
Overall, awesome map, awesome theme; executed very well (favourites).
Bones
Aesthetics - Looks nice; feel the palette is a little messy and all over the place making it appear really harsh. Bone shaping looks awesome, very natural and organic; just personally feel like the dog-looking bones take away from the map altogether as they seem childish and moreso like pixel art.
Gameplay- Islands are cramped - there was too much hindering me from getting to the outsides of my islands - the cave is out of place and is just another hindrance and obstacle in this instance; perhaps a small ladder and platform off the side of the island so it doesnt obstruct the space for pvp. Much like other maps where people undoubtedly have an advantage when trying to reach middle as the islands are set up in a way which allows some people to reach mid quickly, whereas others have to fight multiple players to have a chance. The bones at middle that are placed one-sidedly provide one side with an upperhand; they either need to be nonexistent or consistent; no inbetweens. It just offsets the balance for gameplay.
Overall, high potential, poor execution (disliked).
Candy
Aesthetics - Looks awesome. Example of a really nice theme, with quality aesthetics. Nothing to comment on here; really like the theme a lot.
Gameplay - Hardly anything to comment on here; an example of a really good map. Props to the creator(s). I'd just like to see the initial island a little bigger for pvp, and the central island raised as fall damage is very annoying and can lead to a pvp disadvantage.
Overall, almost faultless. Definitely a favourite.
Castle
Aesthetics - Looks mediocre; seems quite overdetailed. The large vines dangling into the void look odd and unneeded. The flags are too square, would look better if it was pointed.
Gameplay - Initial islands are too small, very cramped. You need more space for pvp on them. Cover is perfectly fine. I'd also like to see a connecting island as it's very difficult to make it to middle, it would definitely help avoid center camping which is common on this map as projectiles are definitely unbalanced favouring defender rather than attacker.
Overall - ok aesthetics here, ok gameplay (neutral).
Desert
Aesthetics - a nice simple theme, executed nicely. If I was to be really picky; I'd say add something more to the individual spawn islands as they are pretty bland, I'd personally make an artifical cactus as I feel it'd be more suiting. You could add some slabs to fill some of the space and seem like it's more detailed. Terrain is quite square and blocky in some places, again just being really picky.
Gameplay - Honestly, one of, if not the best, examples of gameplay. Only thing, middle has to have the same amount of space all around the structure; it is annoying only having 1/4 of the middle outside the structure having pvp space, try to keep 4-5 blocks around the outside at all times, and remove the cactus at mid, think of something a little different and it can also be annoying for players building over.
Overall neat map, neatly executed (favourite).
End
Aesthetics - Love love love the theme, aesthetically - I'd say faultless.
Gameplay - Again, another great map very few things to pick up on; middle has no space again - I'd like to see more space outside the egg for people to. Initial island needs more blocks which you can break and use with your fist as otherwise if you get no blocks, or pickaxe, it's difficult to get to middle. Layout is poor, players have an advantage getting to middle same stuff as I've mentioned previously. Chorus fruit/plant thing can also get in the way of spawning pods and can obstruct players falling down; not sure how to change this but \o/. Also; obsidian. WHY. It's annoying to break. Need either more glass, or a replacement for it.
Overall - love the theme, really awesome. Few slipups on gameplay imo; but definitely a favourite.
Flowers
Aesthetics - Again, another incredible looking one, the organics are awesome looking; I just feel like the starter island flowers are a little weak compared to the middle flowers regardless looks awesome!
Gameplay - Connecting islands need roughly 3 blocks around ALL parts of the structure, but the space is fine. Middle is really cramped, definitely needs to be more open as it's difficult for pvp and very kb and projectile oriented. Nothing other than that.
Overall nice map, quite tight on space though. Nevertheless, definitely a favourite!
Glass
[Screenshots for this need updating!]
Aesthetics - The oak wood planks seem a little out of place on this map's terrain palette. The theme is a little weird overall "glass" doesn't really fit as a name imo. That's just a personal thing though. Connecting islands could use a little decoration, feels bland and rushed.
Gameplay - Starter islands are nice, really like it. Layout is also really nice, an example of a well-balanced map in that instance. Mid itself though is very annoying for pvp, the harsh steepness of the sphere is unwelcoming and annoying in general, could use some more flatness, and perhaps a way for players to be able to access the bottom via a staircase if you get stuck down there with no blocks it's an easy kill.
Overall, decent map, pretty good gameplay - however, not one of my favourites (feels a little weird, and just lacks compared to other maps imo).
Jungle
Aesthetics - awesome, middle could use a little more decoration, I feel like a central decoration would be more fitting and would also not obstruct any pvp for others.
Gameplay - like I said, central decoration would be the best bet for this map to prevent any pvp obstruction and middle access for certain people. Mid could also be a slight bit bigger, but awesome gameplay overall.
Overall, negatives are very minor compared to the big positives of this map (favourite).
Mushroom
Aesthetics - looks beautiful, mushrooms are awesome and they have a lovely organic shape!
Gameplay - It's a little open on the connecting islands allowing for bows (especially punch 1) to dominate. Perhaps something to obstruct the easy bow access from middle. Also the 2 high mushroom things, they are annoying; either make them part of the floor or so that you can go underneath them as they make it difficult for pvp and if you get cornered there it's hard to escape.
Overall, definitely a favourite map!
