the map is probably ballanced when both sides are experts on the map, for allot of maps this is true. however when you are new to a map playing 1 or the other side makes a world of difference. i personaly experienced this with lord of the rings aswel. there i made some good attacks with high tuv gains, but for some reasons those attacks backfired because i was ignorent to certen strategies.
positive about all this is that people can descide for themselves what maps they like and dislike, and move forward from that point.
my personal experiences are as followed:
NAP, not impressed, hard to explain, imo its missing a x-factor. meaning something that spices up the game
NWO, already 1 of my favourites
270BC, surprised by the funrate of this map, but imo it also needs some upgrades to get different good strategical options
GW, had alllot of fun but was victem to not knowing how to do a perfect first few rounds resulting in a defeat later ingame (what Veqryn is experiencing aswel probably
LOTR, really not my kind of map, I did have allot of fun with my opponent but this map uses a different kind of ballance that is a mystery to me. not even mentioning the units.
overall, very happy to try all the new stuff, and thx to V for making it all possible
ice