So far it is last One Million Units contest mission I haven't reviewed. And it is quite hard to write down review since here I have some conflicting impressions. Cinder Notes is semi-sequel (or semi-spinoff) to Sliptip's Ashen Age: Part 1 (albeit I don't know whether Sliptip is the author of CN). Garrett seeks in sunny town for eponymous Cinder Notes, excerpt from Book of Ash (our mcguffin in Ashen Age 1). That is the setup of adventuring here.

Let me start with good things. The high fidelity graphics here are amazing, and the mission really looks like some dream or fairy-tale city like Sliptip's co-project, Fables of the Penitent Thief, albeit more grounded in world of Thief 1-3. I always liked the vertical city exploration missions, and Cinder Notes delivers such an experience. It is not big, but is quite high. The seminary puzzle was balanced - not hard at all, but required some attention to details.

The not so good stuff here is that mission contains almost no challenge - especially in city section. Something surely doesn't click with me also in underground parts: they are too small and also not that menacing or challenging. As for the plot - the mission's ending feels quite abrupt, looks like Ashen Age: Part 3 is something we now should wait for. Sometimes I had the overall feeling that mission was unfinished (I'm about you, seminary's basement) or "shortened" to satisfy the contest requirements.

In any case, my judging might be too harsh and in comparison with many old missions from some old Komag's contests this one surely looks strong. It has redeeming qualities, and leaves lasting feeling.