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Terrain Plus

Changes map generation parameters for vanilla terrain types (Mountains and Valleys). Larger open spaces, separated by longer mountain ranges. Less erosion. Interesting lakes. More rivers.


This mod has an alternative that generates fewer lakes and rivers:
Terrain Plus (Alt)

A comparison between the two can be found on that page.



My inability to generate a decent (both beautiful and functional) map with the vanilla presets was one of the biggest reasons that pushed me to download the modkit. So, you can thank (or blame) this mod for all the other stuff I'll be publishing alongside it.


Valleys:

With these mapgen parameters, compared to vanilla, generally you'll have fewer but larger buildable areas, dotted with fewer 'speed bumps' (sometimes none). You know those small, green hills that look flat, but always throw a wrench in your construction plans when you actually start laying the foundations? Yeah, they're mostly gone now. Mostly.

Instead, now you get proper mountains that practically yell "Don't build Market here, build Tunnel!". Not only do they block access to that other large space you want to expand towards, they also allow for more opportunities to build Tunnels that make sense (because they're larger and longer, and you can't build Tunnels diagonally).

Lakes are also created from fewer but larger 'pieces' now, and they tend to get 'invaded' by the new, more aggressive mountain generation. Usually, the result is more-or-less natural looking lakes with more varied shapes. You may need to get lucky with the map seed to find something truly beautiful, but at the very least, you won't get those same-looking 'blue craters' dotting your map anymore.

An extra river (small) means more trade route possibilities (e.g. they can connect lakes to the large river). Also, more fire safety! But let's be serious: The real reason I added one more is because they look pretty; more chances for nature to be nature and paint weird shapes on the landscape just so we can build bridges on them is the real reason we all play this game, let's agree on that.


Mountains:

The principles are the same as Valleys, so I'll just list the differences:

- Larger, rougher, more imposing mountains.
- Fewer and slightly smaller flat areas.
- Tends to generate more interesting but less practical maps than Valleys.
- Tends to generate mountain passes* sometimes.

*: They are straight paths carved into mountains. They're about as wide as a Town Hall, and they connect the flat areas. I believe the map generator force-creates them to meet a quota for connected areas. They looked fun (if a bit artificial), so I didn't try to get rid of them.


- Compatible with Flatlands Terrain -- can be active at the same time.

- NOT compatible with most other terrain mods. A good rule of thumb is to download all the terrain mods you like, but in your Mods list, activate only the one you'll be using for your next game.

- Cheap Tunnels mod strongly recommended. You'll actually need those things now.


No more note! This mod is map. Look pictures, yes.