|
Camelot
by Mark Fyffe
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 829 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-03-23 |
33,059,548 bytes |
72 |
7209 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
Camelot.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 4c766c6c9e3341df9db7fc48a19893fe |
69d41887e17d8fa5c17e3d982668f964 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Chuck Clark April 2002
Background: This is the third course done by Mr. Fyffe. His previous two courses (Ironwood and Mirage) have both been discontinued. They were done in the early days of the APCD, maybe during the Beta testing phase of the APCD, so I have played neither. The following is from the read-me:
"The course was a labor of love for me, and a real challenge to complete. I suffer from Multiple Sclerosis and find it very difficult to use a mouse for more then a few minutes at a time. Over a nine-month period I gave into the course and decided it was just too much to over come. Before my son left for the Marine Corp he asked while he was in boot camp that I attempt one more time to complete the course. I ventured on and over the next four months the course slowly came along. The name of the course was selected due to playing on the Camelot team for going on our 4th year now. I've had the opportunity to play with some of the greatest partners around and the course is in their honor. Although it's largely just 'Dragon' and I together now, someday we hope to put a whole team together again. In Camelot, I was attempting to create a course that even the beginning player could enjoy, but still have something the accomplished player could find challenging. I also made an effort to have some areas of the course open to view several holes at one time, and make it appealing to the eye. ( ya know. a little eye candy)."
Well, obviously, doing a course this well under the circumstances is an extraordinary achievement by Mr. Fyffe and he should be commended for it. It is also obvious to me that I can't really review this course with the same critical eye. What would be easy and quick for me to do, is a long and difficult process for Mr. Fyffe. That is not to say I won't give this course the rating I think it deserves, but then again, I can't even begin to understand the dedication necessary to build a course a few minutes at a time over 12 months.
Overall Impression: Your first impression of this course is of the full, rich colors used. The deep rough grass in particular is a highly deep green. There is also lots of bright colored trees and bushes. All and all there is a lot to look at. The Whistler pano is used again here, but it seems to fit this course better than most. Another thing you notice quickly about this course is that many of the holes seem to have a big drop from tee to fairway. This is an interesting course to look at and a pretty interesting course to play. It gets a bit narrow at times, there is a lot of water in play and a couple of the greens are a bit severe. But generally speaking, this is a fun and agreeable round of golf.
Playability: This course is generally playable. Some of the fairways are on the narrow side, so PS'ers and Champ players may get in some trouble, but they are not as bad as some courses I have seen. There are one or two greens (especially the eleventh) which I would call foul on, but again they are not really that bad. The eleventh is really two greens connected by a narrow stip. The trouble is that the back "green" is about 15 feet higher than the lower "green". If you end up on the lower green, you can't putt to the top green; no matter how hard you hit it. So you are forced to chip the ball up the slope.
Shot Values: This course does a good job at testing all of your game. There are many up and downhill shots with lots of different clubs. You have dog legs of each direction and some blind shots and forced carries as well. But nothing is carried to extreme, so there is a good variety to keep you thinking.
Visuals: This is a very visually interesing golf course. From the first tee on, you are always fascinated to see what comes next. As mentioned above, there are bright colors used and deep rich textures as well. There are many interesting uses of water, including a large waterfall behind the second green. It is probably not the best done waterfall I have ever seen (in Links), but it is different. There is a high variety of trees and flowers also. At times they get to be a bit inconsistent, but I guess that the inconsistency is the theme here.
Technique: The only technical errors I saw were minor and unimportant, so we won't even discuss them.
Summary: This is a fascinating and visually interesting golf course. Considering the size, I would recommend it to everyone except for slow connection guys who play PS or Champ levels. Considering Mr. Fyffe's "abilities" (that the rest of us take for granted); this course is actually an amazing accomplishment. For no other reason, you should download it and see what real human dedication and determination can do. We should all be humbled by Mr. Fyffe's refusal to give in and his courage in the face of adversity.
Included/Not Included:
Cameo: Yes
Splash Screen: Yes
Hole Previews: Yes
Tee Signs: No
Custom Tee Markers: Yes
Custom Flags: Yes
Read-Me: Yes
Handicaps: No
Custom or added Sounds: No?
I am both a player and a designer. I review courses primarily from the standpoint of fun and playability. I appreciate courses that are beautiful to look at, but first and foremost I want a fun experience. I have spent many hours designing courses myself, so I understand the blood, sweat and tears that go into the design process. Any critical comments made here are meant to be constructive and helpful. |
|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Imaginary, lakeside course |
Location
TBC |
Conditions
TBC |
Concept 5/10
Sadly, it is never quite revealed whether this course is intended to be set
within the fictional Camelot (in the same way that Rivendell is): it certainly
could be, given the rich colours and slightly antiquated style. It earns its
Imaginary tag through the rich use of water, some oddball features
(including a very credible waterfall), and heavy emphasis on target golf.
The narrow fairways and daunting expanses of tough rough will be a turnoff
for many, but those playing on easy setting might be more convincend.
Sadly, it's showing its age a little these days, but that's not to say it's not worthwhile. Just don't expect to be dazzled, that's all. |
Appearance 4/10
The read-me has promised 'eye-candy', and the course does its best to deliver, with some spectacular views and a good line in custom
objects and dramatic landscaping. Sadly, the low-resolution textures, unblended, have not dated well, and look very rough indeed.
There's a scatter-gun approach to the planting in parts, too, with little underplanting or foresting to compensate. |
Playability 5/10
If you can suspend a bit of disbelief, then Camelot is pretty entertaining. In true imaginary-course fashion, the course is all about big
hits and brazen target-play. Some holes feature a clever twist or two, which at the time must have been almost unprecedented. Others,
though, are more like frustrating ball-snares where 7s and 8s might not be uncommon, and the lack of adequate hole previews doesn't
help. Fine to dip into occasionally, if you don't find the rather coarse design off-putting. |
Challenge 5/10
There's misery waiting in the deep rough, which is abnormally punishing, and around many of the planted areas. Thankfully, the
greens are unexpectedly moderate and can afford the luxury of the occasional 1-putt. You still would be very lucky to break Par. |
Technical 6/10
Considering some of the difficulties that must have plagued the designer, and the fact that this course is reaching a venerable age, it's
easy to incline towards generosity, and some of the features and customisation of this course are indicative of a great imagination and
a lot of hard work. In other places, not least the surface, it's all a bit rough and ready. |
| Overall |
Many will overlook this little bit of whimsy, and the realists will do rightly to. For
others, it's good enough as a one-off. |
25/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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