95 replies to this topic

[Titan]

I'm also not surprised at the comments. It is very outdated, which is mostly my fault... :">

I was very surprised it won VP, but like Sambo said, no park is perfect...

And sorry VooDoo, I just had to add the brakes... I also haven't seen the movie in ages, so I made up my own theme really...

[james_isaac]

It's quite a good park...

But I don't like the fact that they used trainers so much. Isn't that cheating in VP?

But stoll, the rest of the park is quite good.

[Impuls3]

Worst. Choice. EvAr.

Old Tunnel Mill ownz this park. Seriously.

[ragingbullguy]

But I don't like the fact that they used trainers so much. Isn't that cheating in VP?

No.

~RBG

[sircursealot]

It wasn't very good, a huge let down in my opinion. The outdated excuse doesn't work here, if it was outdated, why did it win? Besides, my favourite park of all time is well over a year old, and it doesn't suffer from being outdated...

[ja227]

It was OK, but to be blunt, I just didn't feel the 'Oz' magic fully. I haven't watched the film in years so I don't really know what exactly was missing. It was still a solid park, don't get me wrong.

[james_isaac]

Yes... I think cBass's July winning park was amazing. This park is hardly as good as it.

[KaiBueno]

Oh dear...

Where do I begin? It's rare anymore due to time constraints that I actually set time aside to comment on a park, but I feel it is needed in this case. Trust me when I say that I do view a lot of parks (both here and at NE), but when it comes time to comment on them, I prefer to remain silent and keep my thoughts to myself if I don't have the time to properly state them. The release of Wisconsin (one of my all-time favorite RCT 2 parks) didn't align itself well with my schedule, so I was unable to properly comment on it. The park is special to me, so I will get to it eventually, but for now, my efforts are needed elsewhere, like the most recent VP of the Month issue.

Before I comment in full, let me preface the discussion with these points, so as to avoid certain questions that may arise.
-While I’m a member of RCT2.com staff, these thoughts do not represent the rest of the staff, the website, or owner, nor should they be interpreted as such.
-Also, while I do respect the decision of the judges and the system in place, I don't feel the need to agree with the outcome, regardless of how numerically close the results may/may not have been, and/or my affiliation with the staff/site. This is not intended to offend, insult, or ruffle feathers, as these comments are to help, not hurt, this site and the VP program.
-This has nothing to do with RCTI, Roger's affiliation with RCTM, or my friendship with him. Please don't question my motives behind my remarks, as they will be as objective as possible.

With that said, I present:

How Tunnel Mill Got The Shaft
by KaiBueno

Let's see...you're probably asking, Tunnel Mill? What's that?
Well, let me refresh your memory, as you can see screens here.

Why do I bring this up? What does this park have to do with OZ?
It has everything to do with OZ, as it and 5 or so other parks were also entered as participants in the August VP, yet it has been regretfully outmatched somehow.

Why then are you making a big stink of it? OZ was voted the winner through the system, and surely the judges were correct in picking the best park submitted, right?
Indeed, one would think that the best park was selected as the winner, the place to go for people to go see. Sadly this is not the case, and while admittedly I have not seen the other 5 or so parks submitted, I present now, point by point, where I feel the panel has gone wrong.



Concept:
Fantasy vs. Semi-reality.

Tough call here, as many of you know I'm a huge proponent of fantasy parks, having created Glass, Toxic and Forge, so the idea of basing an entire park off of a classic film such as this isn't something I have an issue with. In reality, I embrace it, and for months now have wondered how the park was progressing, as it was one of RCTI's projects (along with 007) I've been tracking the most.


As for Roger's park, it is woodsy and shares a concept he utilized last summer using RCT/LL. While not the most original (since he'd done the Mill last summer), it certainly has a good overall concept for the semi-realistic style of parks, including the idea of recreating the Mill in more detail.
Verdict: RCTI's OZ in a nail-bitter.



Park Size:

This isn't something that I really judge a park on, 'cos to expect that every VP winner is a 256er sized park like Wisconsin isn't rational, but there are merits due to the parks' authors if they create the correct sized park to fit their concept. Also, it is important that within the map, that all of the details are analyzed in full, but that will be addressed later.



Coasters/Theming/Landscaping:

Oz - Ermm... To be honest, this was a big let down for the park. The Kansas Twister and the Wicked Witch are standout coasters that actually interact with the landscape well, while the Rocket coaster in the Tin Man area was themed fairly well for a coaster type that tends to loom overtop of everything anyway. The twin Monkey coasters were so messy that I was reminded instantly of LL parks from 4 years ago when building dueling coasters in general was the biggest thrill ever. To discover later that Voodoo was the author was only more disappointing, as he's done great things with RCT2 lately...

The theming seemed here and there to be honest. True, Kansas is flat and somewhat barren (or at least in the late 1800s), but leaving a flat ride out to dry like that (a scrambler I believe) is something I was shocked to see. The rest of Kansas wasn't so bad. Emerald City had its moments, but I honestly don't understand what the concept was behind the entrance or Munchkinland. The color usage I applaud, but the manor in which it was applied was in a haphazard fashion, never mind the buildings. Overall the best area was where the Wicked Witch resides, as well as the “storefronts” that are for the Tin Man area. Those buildings are well done, and if the whole park was executed in this fashion, it might have been stronger. Why there were hardly any benches, fences, etc… to help the peeps out, I’m not sure, and these missing details only add to the list of issues.


Tunnel - Trees, trees, and more trees? Is this what did it in? Sure, there are a lot of parks that do this, but I thought this one was executed properly. The landscaping was top notch as numerous rivers/streams wandered down occasional falls, providing nice little divides for the different "town-like" areas of the park. The entrance and midway feature outstanding structures, and showcase a very nice NON-WESTERN wooden style. The Eiffel-like Tower is a sight to behold, and this is before you get into the rest of the lush park.

Highlights here include the lovely Tunnel Mill Resort and the Mill itself, finely crafted and sporting a fine Ferris Wheel attraction hidden in it. Monster coasters like the Prospector and the Yellow Jacket reach high into the heavens and then cruise beautifully above the varied terrain. The supports alone for this "wooden" giga coaster are among the best I've seen, and a unique concept I've not seen previously. The Mine train and rapids ride just downhill is one of my favorite areas in the park, utilizing the landscape very well. Throughout the park areas such as shoppes, food stalls, and first aide centers are placed to add the needed realism, and various forms of transport help visitors traverse the large landscape. Another notable area is the Vernon Water Tower, which seems to be framed in by the other structures and foliage nicely.

Finally, it's important to mention a park section in this creation, namely the water park. Sporting and outstanding wave pool, numerous slides that look beautiful decorated in RCT2's scenery pieces, the area also includes the fine detailed locker rooms/changing areas and restaurants.

Edge: Tunnel in a blowout.

Overall feel:

Well, there's my spiel. RCTI's concept was fantastic, yet poorly executed and severly lacking in the fine details you'd expect from a club with great potential, and a VP winner. Flaws including poorly paced/themed coasters, drab theming and uninspiring landscaping are the highlights for this park. Aside from the Tin Man and Witch, the magic just isn't there like you'd expect it to be.

Roger's park, while many of them are hidden amongst the trees, is abundant in fine details, quality coasters, and an overall sense of effort. The coasters are tailored to the landscape, the water rides are nestled in properly (or showcased in grande fashion in the water park), and there are many, many fine architectural skills on display throughout.

Should-be winner: Tunnel Mill



Closing arguments:

I'd like to remark on one comment above, and that's the claim that OZ is outdated. This is mostly a false argument (or at least in the way it is being termed outdated), as is demonstrated by last month's winner Wisconsin, and this month's snub Tunnel Mill. Both parks, utilizing zero or minimal custom scenery, were started in November of 2002. I don't know when OZ was started, but I don't believe it's older than that.

The issue that is outdated is poor execution of RCT2's scenery/theming tool, as if used correctly, can yield wonderful parks. There are numerous parks released before now that still hold up under the spotlight, despite how many months ago they were either started or finished. The thing that would have saved this abysmal (yet victorious) park was that older areas were re-evaluated, updated, and then finalized. It is clear to me that Munchkinland is one of the older areas, and that Tin Man is newer, or at least more carefully crafted. Next time, I suggest more time is made refining the park, as I don't see any "old" areas like this in Tunnel.

Thanks for your patience and for reading this, and I hope that the judging panel looks upon this as constructive criticism, though, we all have our preferences, and I respect that.

It will be interesting to see what your thoughts are on the above.

Kai

[BigFoot]

If i get my rct2 fixed, then I'll dl and add my opinion. But judging from others speaking, it seems the people that are commenting on the 'let down' of this park, are the few people I would actually trust to make a judgement like that.

In any case, i think 'Vacation Park' is a stupid name. I just wanted to let ya'll know that no offence, just think of something better for cryin out loud.

[ja227]

The issue that is outdated is poor execution of RCT2's scenery/theming tool, as if used correctly, can yield wonderful parks. There are numerous parks released before now that still hold up under the spotlight, despite how many months ago they were either started or finished. The thing that would have saved this abysmal (yet victorious) park was that older areas were re-evaluated, updated, and then finalized. It is clear to me that Munchkinland is one of the older areas, and that Tin Man is newer, or at least more carefully crafted. Next time, I suggest more time is made refining the park, as I don't see any "old" areas like this in Tunnel.

I know I had some areas in the park I submitted that didn't match the quality of other, more recent areas. Oh well, we'll see who the runners up are in 2 days.