Jene

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• Netherlands

First off, I want to say to the admins of NE that I was really enthusiastic for the set-up of this round. Being a slower builder myself with a lot going on in real-life, set-ups like these are a great way to still compete in challenges . . . though, alas, I couldn’t pull through on this one. Nevertheless I’m glad we have two great entries for round five. First up:

Race for the Renaissance - Narc (85%) and Faas (15%)

A nice little bit of old-skool vibe mixed in with some more modern objects. The duelling GCI looks fun. Racing at the first half and then sprawling off in the second. The architecture has some nice moments; especially the white church in the centre and the one inspired by the Duomo of Florence. I think the rest of the architecture looks quite rough and lacks some form and refinement. I think using one of the smoother palette’s would’ve helped with setting the tone more.

The Polymath's Lament - BarnNID (50%) and Gustav Goblin (50%)

Damn that’s hot! What a beautiful map you guys build. I love the Stardust-Racer like coaster, but the gorgeous architecture steals the show. Also brilliant how you guys made these paintings and what a great transition into the canvas on the back of the building. Also loved the Davinci machines. Only small nitpick I could find was the macro-placing of the three ships. That central ship is just so gorgeous, but because the smaller ships are in the same colour and close to it, it’s a little hard to read in most viewing-angles. But anyway, this one’s the clear winner in my book.  

I´m all hyped up. Can´t wait to see how this beauty turns out. Loved the Arkham Trilogy. Great to see your proces setting out the macro like this!

Ancient Light – Lurker

Classic park-making in true Lurker fashion. I like the macro, the coaster layouts and the combination of the Martian ground-texture and foliage. I think the lighthouse of Alexandria, as a central feature, could’ve benefited from a little more oomph. In my opinion it lacks greatness and looks a little underwhelming. The sightlines in the city and farm area are a highlight.

Ptolemy II's Alexandria: 250 BC - Deanosrs and FredD

Awesome entry! The lighthouse with the watercoaster going through it, is an impressive eye-catcher. Love the megalite supports on the tower. The combination of the megalite and shakeroof on the bottom level looks a bit uneasy in my opinion, but that’s a nitpick. I thought the choice for rotatable doombuggies for the garden-ride looked a bit strange to me on first glance, but when I turned the screen and found out they’re part of a Library-themed darkride it made a lot more sense. I loved how you guys added this big ass darkride in the centre of the map; especially how it’s kinda hidden on opening and I think the planetarium is gorgeous too. The diagonal temple on the small island helps to break up the macro straight lines. The city-area might have benefited from some extra non-gridline roads or buildings, but again a nitpick. This is a very strong, very full and very complete entry.

Indoor Egypt – AJ

How fun would it have been if the Memphis Pyramid had re-opened like this, in stead of a Bass-Pro shop. Daydreams aside, you really succeeded in packing this park to the brim with attractions. Love the Lapis-Lazu-looper drop-coaster layout. I think the Ra-llercoast is burdened by the height-space restrictions maybe a little too much. I do love the interaction with the Delta Drops though. From a colour-perspective, the park has something ‘coldish’ about it. Maybe the greys in the pyramid, pahts and parking lot. It reminds me a bit of the palette in Charybdis and Scylla from Xeccah. The Algerian pop blasting through my speakers really brings out the sun though and adds to the general vibe.

The Construction of Giza - RWE and MK98

This is a really interesting entry. I think it has a lot of style and class. It’s sharp and crisp. Really ‘to the point’. Strong layout, strong monochrome archy to add just enough context, strong waterbed with foliage to add just enough contrast. The only thing holding this entry back is the spammy use of the wooden support structure. I think that just a little bit more of variation in the wood-construction would’ve elevated this to even greater heights. But all the texture, the crunch, it’s art.

The Ancient World – Narc

The wrath of Osiris looks like it could be a realistic coaster somewhere on the edge of a park. The layout is flowy and definitely the strongpoint together with the macro. The foliage is nice too. The conifers clash a bit with the sandy ground-texture, but I get it from a context-perspective. I think that there are two things holding this park back in terms of quality: 1. the architecture, most prominently the lighthouse and 2. The lack of context / purpose for the giant pyramid. I do like how you added transportation-rides from other areas of the park.

The Seven Wonders Selection Survey at Sidon Wonderland - Liampie and Gustav Goblin

On the one hand it’s a shame you guys didn’t get to finish this park fully in time, but on the other hand I’m glad you guys decided to join and show what was already there. Even though it's not ideal it's still material. The concept is great and Liam’s eye for macro is as always present. The micro scenes are just lovely and I think Gustav could’ve added some fun music/soundclip/multimedia-type shenanigans if there was more time.

Pyramid of Gizeh - Kenos

Great to see you participate in this contest Kenos. Macro is definitely not bad. I would’ve suggested to put the roto-drop a few tiles further to make it accentuate the curve of the coaster a bit more and I would’ve made it a lot less high. You’ve nailed the general shapes and it’s great to see you experiment with the finer details. I really like the statue of Seth and I like the pops of colour you’re using on the trims. Looking forward to see what you come up with next.  

The lights, the reflections, the atmosphere. Absolutely brilliant. Robbie raised the bar on night-time parks with Bellum Aeternus, but Haunted Harbour looks next level. 

This looks so interesting! I see some Efteling inspired area´s and a lot of cool macro choices. Keep pushing forward MK!