|
Fantasy Hills 2
by Niklas Oscarsson
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 784 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-02-18 |
22,175,278 bytes |
71 |
7003 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
fantasyhills2.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 0333b62224a611d6bfea0040335344c0 |
c4222828cb3d3bca9b71cc753cb85228 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by
Mike Nifong
March 2002
Course type: 'In spite of its name, Fantasy Hills is a fictional course set in the mountains' begins the general design notes section of the read-me file included with this course. This reflects a change of position from the description included with version 1.0, but the revised view is entirely justified by the character of the course.
Historical perspective: Fantasy Hills has quite an interesting history, which was detailed in my earlier Links Corner review of the initial release, Fantasy Hills 1.0. By way of update to that account, I would tell you that Niklas admits in the read-me for the new version that Fantasy Hills 1.0 was essentially a beta release of Fantasy Hills 2, which was planned from the outset. Since there have been some grumblings in the web boards of late about multiple releases of courses (one, as I recall, specifically directed at this course), I would like to point out that Niklas did release a pre-1.0 beta version which was downloaded some 450 times and engendered only a single response. The moral, I suppose, is that people who do not avail themselves of the opportunity to influence a design's final realization should not complain that the designer did not get everything perfect the first time: speak after the beta version, or forever hold your peace.
At any rate, the main complaint about Fantasy Hills 1.0 involved edges and extrusions: several people found the edges on the rough side, and the extrusions undeniably caused some shadowing in the top view. A few people also questioned the use of a different color of sand in some of the fairway bunkers. The quibbles, in other words, were pretty minor; in my opinion, 'fixing' them was insufficient justification for a new version of what was already a very good course. As you are about to read, however, the revision was not limited to merely cosmetic changes.
Any reader who is unfamiliar with Fantasy Hills should refer to my earlier review, not only for the history, but also for my observations about the course, which remain relevant except as noted below.
What is included: The revised read-me file includes an update on the course history; it also contains brief hole notes which have been revised to reflect the layout changes described below. There is a new cameo, and there is also a revised splash screen that carries the artistry noted in the previous version a step farther. The hole previews remain, and now they are also reproduced on well-placed markers at each tee. The screensaver included with FH 1.0 has been omitted.
What has been changed: Cosmetically, all the complaints seem to have been addressed. The extrusions have been toned down and the edges smoothed out, giving the course a more manicured feel without sacrificing anything that was essential to its personality. Niklas also tells us in the read-me that most sounds have been removed, although you may recall from my earlier review that the sounds present in FH 1.0 failed to make much of an impression. (That annoying insect, which sounds like it is the size of a small airplane, remains.) The previously mentioned hole markers are also a nice touch.
The cosmetic changes, however, are the least significant part of the story. The important changes involve the course layout.
If you compare the course statistics for the two versions, you will note a couple of changes: the course length has dropped from 7020 to 7003 yards, and par is now 71. While the first of those changes may seem inconsequential, the way the overall yardage reduction was achieved has a significant impact on the way this course plays. Specifically, the lengths of eleven holes have been altered; most of the changes involve just a few yards one way or the other, but a few change the equation. #1, for example, has been shortened by 19 yards, which means your second shot will likely be attempted with a short iron, increasing your control (and your chances of birdie). And #16, the longest of the par-5's (all of which have been shortened), has been shortened enough to make reaching the green in two more of a possibility, albeit not without risk.
The two holes that have undergone the most dramatic transformations, however, are #8 and #10. On #8, the original layout remains, but now added are a second patch of fairway and a second green, so that, depending on where the pin is placed, it may play either as the original dogleg right with a corner that can be cut or as a straight ahead tee shot with a later dogleg. The hole also became more attractive in the process. The formerly par-5 #10, which was reduced in length by seven yards and now plays as a 475-yard par-4 (hence the change to a course par of 71), is even more altered. What had been a sure birdie and likely eagle hole is now a par hole unless you hit near-perfect tee and approach shots, a prospect complicated by a huge fairway bunker that is difficult to carry from the back tees. What seemed to work best for me was a lay up with a 5W, followed by a second 5W to the elevated green; from the back tees, even if you can carry the bunker, the only safe landing area is to the left, from which you will have an uphill lie that will likely necessitate a 5W approach shot anyway. And the elevation of the green means that you cannot afford to miss right or (especially) long. In short, what once was the easiest hole has become one of the hardest. The elevation of the #10 green, incidentally, affects the view off the #15 tee, but has no effect on the way that hole plays.
The bottom line: The changes outlined above have not only enhanced the challenge of this course, but have also somehow made it feel more integrated, so that my comment about the whole seeming less than the sum of its parts no longer applies. If you do not already have the first incarnation of Fantasy Hills, you should most certainly get Fantasy Hills 2. Even if you have FH 1.0, however, I would recommend that you replace it with this version. It is, simply put, just a better course.
Filesize - 20MB
Course Statistics :
Par 71; 3 sets of tees; 7003 yards from back tees; holes are handicapped. |
|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Imaginary, mountain course |
Location
TBC |
Conditions
TBC |
Concept 8/10
Fantasy Hills takes some obvious influences from Kylane, but is an
impressive piece of work in its own right. With it's wide open and strategic
holes, impressively-scaled rock faces and lavish, sweeping elevations,
there is no doubt that this is a real, wild mountain. It's very absorbing, well
set out, and a convincing atmosphere to boot. A most enjoyable round of
golf. |
Appearance 6/10
There's some entertaining visuals on offer, and it's nice - on a course with such gradients - to have a clear view of nearly every hole.
The planting has gone to some extent to be clone-free, but at low levels, the grass is somewhat clumpy and sparse, which detracts
slightly. The textures are underwhelming too. Despite the fantasy tag, though, this course is never unbelievable, thanks to a realistic
view of what constitutes landscaping. |
Playability 7/10
This is highly entertaining golf. All holes have a variety of options, thanks to split fairways, and sometimes greens. There's lots of eye
candy and some passable ambient sound. One downer is that the greenside shots are made extremely difficult by the elevations,
visibility and green slope. Approach shots that miss might well be heavily punished. |
Challenge 7/10
I had to play this course several times to reassure myself that it wasn't as hard as one might think. This is certainly no Pine Forest
Hills, and if you hit the snaps you could score particularly well. Sensible play will yield more pars than bogeys, and even if your score is
over 72, it certainly won't be a disaster. |
Technical 6/10
Planting and textures hallmark this as an early course, and inevitably set it back by today's standards. Other than that, this is a
smashing one-off course from an otherwise unheard-of designer and fully deserves credit for the understanding of course layout and
sophisticated challenge. |
| Overall |
A fantasy mountain course that hasn't become carried away. Fun to play and a
winner in its off-beat appeal. |
34/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
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