Park / Age of Sail
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25-December 23
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97.00%(required: 80%) Spotlight
CoasterCreator9 100% yes Cocoa 100% yes Mulpje 100% no ottersalad 100% yes Recurious 100% yes bigshootergill 95% yes G Force 95% yes In:Cities 95% yes posix 95% yes RWE 95% yes SSSammy 95% yes WhosLeon 95% yes 97.00% 91.67% -
Description
Age of Sail is a pirate themed park, divided into four swashbuckling locales: The North African themed “Barbary Coast”, the Caribbean “Port Royal”, the Southeast Asian “Jakarta Bay”, and finally the Atlantean, treasure-laden “Lost Kingdom”.
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X marks the spotlight
Wow.
I almost don't want to write a review because there's no way I have the time nor space to mention everything I am enjoying so far in this park.
The whole park has this vibe to it that reminds me of some classic LL spotlights, but with the added RCT2 details it feels like it's woken up and come fully to life.
Starting in Barbary Coast - I love the overall vibe of the area, with the green queues as walkway covers. Wonderful use of blue and red in the buildings over to the right of the entrance. Some really different and interesting roof patterns where it would have been easy to use the same texture across all buildings; the wagon, the bank, paths, different candy pieces... the double carousel sitting between trees and awnings to me nails the vibe of the area best. I also love the rope tunnel under the lift hill on Cutlass.
Moving into Jakarta Bay, it feels like a little bit of a missed opportunity for Stowaway not to go through the ship, as opposed to just over it. The delicately constructed church building station more than makes up for it though. This area probably has the most beautiful track architecture I've ever seen. The wooden shacks are culminating in the station of Naga are fantastic, especially those along the coast, and the diagonal pagodas are the kind of thing that make me stop and just look at them and wonder how on earth you could ever think to build them like that. I'm genuinely interested if this type of thing comes out of messing with track for hours or if this stuff just seems to come easy to people who come up with it. Having been deprived of coasters until my late teenage years with the exception of Vampire @ Chessington, I have a soft spot for suspended swingers so really enjoyed Naga, more so the second half swinging around the rocks on the coast. Raindance is nice but this close to a suspended swinger the cars feel more like roller coasters without a track.
Let me just pause for a moment and say that it's absolutely ridiculous that not only is the entirety of the underwater landscaped and foliaged, but also that you put a giant squid in there. Ridiculous.
Moving round the park to Lost Kingdom. The shipwreck behind the Goldrush launch is crazy good. It's a little bit of a shame that guests can't see it, but I can, so screw them! The ride is absolutely crazy just like a launched invert should be. I wonder if making the train gold or the rails on the track gold would have vibed with the theme just a little bit more, but I am also sure I'm a worse judge of that than Alex. I know the game beeps about it a little, but I love how long the queues are in the park, especially for this ride. All these guests queued up for miles checking their little watches, desperate to ride the coasters. Like in so many places in this park, at the entrance to Goldrush I had to pull out the land tool and hover over the treasure just to figure out how the hell you did it. Crazy good use of the Goliath sign. Either Alex is a total genius or he scoured every single render in the entire game looking for things he could potentially manipulate into gold treasure. Just ridiculous. I also have to mention the circular awning on the way over to Neptune's Fury, this was a simpler setup but just like the double carousel, so effective.
The kids have just come downstairs for Christmas so I'll have to cut my review short there, one area short and the one I was saving for last! If I don't get back to it let me just say - the Vodou station is absolutely insane. Nemesis vibes but better.
Obvious and clear spotlight. Well done Alex!
We didn't think NCSO could get better than Ancient Worlds but Santalex proves us wrong today. Best NCSO park in a long long time, possibly ever, and obviously one of the best releases of the decade. Alex reinvents his style with modern meta conveniences like new track types and pieces and invisible colors while retaining his classic RCT style and dumbass simple how-has-no-one-else-thought-of-this method of execution.
I'm gonna go around the park and point out my personal highlights to keep myself from just pointing out literally everything on the map.
Barbary Coast
- Amazing entrance with an overwhelming sense of scale. Highlights are the huge archway and the wooden viewing platform overlooking the river.
- Like many of his other releases, this entrance opens up to a panoramic view of the lagoon with a clear view of almost every E-ticket coaster; the classic IoA approach but augmented by a high angle. That seawall is still so damn good and the little bits of staggered Egyptian wall resembling cracks are a great detail.
- These are some good-ass boats. A combination of modern NCSO work with the Tile Inspector, LL tricks like the coaster stations for the canvas covered sections, and tricks so simple they're almost frustratingly convincing like the wild mouse track simply using vanilla supports for the crow's nests.
- Wind Waker works well being so high up in the air weaving through the village. Bit of an unconventional choice but I think it works well. Love me some whitewashed architecture too so of course its surroundings has my heart. The blue details and playing card walls work surprisingly well.
- Cutlass's first drop and turnaround is such a moment.
Port Royal
- The first moment that truly wowed me in this park was the diagonal bridge next to the waterfall between Barbary Coast and Port Royal. The landscaping and waterfalls in this park are off the charts in general but this one really sticks out to me for the way it interacts with the path.
- Love the way the playground is done. The swing is surprisingly clear and I love the roundabout and the balloon stall cannonballs.
- Vodou is incredible. Flow, pacing, interaction; it's all there. The station made of boat skeletons is a hell of a statement and that queue is an experience in itself. It's also neat seeing wooden buildings made from minigolf stations; someone's still holding true to his LL roots.
- Unbelievable archi around Fort Blanco and the nearby ships are absolutely insane.
- Rum Plunderer is adorable and I love the buildings it's built around.
- Nautic jets are always a good time. Love the stacked barrels on the nearby port.
Lost Kingdom
- The opulence here. Love the elaborate architecture and Goliath rocks as big piles of gold.
- Neptune's Fury has an unconventional layout but just looks so damn good with all the curves, the interaction with the drops, and the wooden railings above.
- Goldrush is unbelievable. The initial launch over the path toward the island is something I wish I came up with and all the views from the path are to die for. I feel like the ending isn't up to par with the rest of the layout but that's a high bar to top.
- The underwater detailing reaches a high point here with the lost city and the giant squid. How have I never seen underwater swamp goo as bubbles before? Genius!
- The trident is another stupid smart piece of NCSO genius. It's fences. That's it. Because what else do you need to pull it off?
Jarkarta
- The highlight of the park for me by far. Scrolling over to Naga's station stopped me in my tracks. The subtle curves and bends in the roof don't even look like NCSO!
- Just as impressive archi-wise is the diagonal pagoda. Such an unconventional choice for a NCSO park and I'm here for it. It's also positioned very smartly, facing the lagoon but also standing up to the huge cliffs behind it.
- Speaking of which, this area also has my favorite landscaping. The tall Cedar of Lebanon trees are a great choice for their height, and I love the vines cascading down the cliffs as well.
- Raindance is surrounded by some of the most beautiful ambient landscaping I've ever seen done in NCSO. The flowers under the water add an extra layer of atmosphere that really rounds it out. The swinger itself is executed unbelievably well for NCSO in a way I haven't seen done before.
All this augmented by consistently peak composition, landscaping, and micro detailing makes this the best NCSO in a long time. Alex makes this look too easy. 95/yes
Looks like Ancient Worlds has an equally phenomenal fraternal twin! While each park is uniquely different, Age of Sail has a bit of 'Part 2' vibe to it, just as amazing as 'Part 1'. You never cease to blow our minds with your creativity and talent, thank you alex! I can't say it's worse or better than AW, seems like the perfect successor... so I mirror my vote from 3 1/2 years ago. 95/yes
EDIT: Just to add... I couldn't help but think when I first saw this park's theme, no one else could get away with building a park based on a theme that is perhaps one of the most overdone theme's on NE -- Pirates -- and repeat it 4 times over in the same park, and do it with such freshness and justice that you win another spotlight and reaffirm yourself as a Legendary Parkmaker. Well played!
yes
Congrats on another masterpiece of parkmaking, Alex. Figured I'd go thru the park area by area in reviewing it.
The entrance area is quite grand and imposing - the star shaped fountain is very cool! I think you establish the motif of path covers with the green queue piece and bobsled awning and it sets the stage for everywhere else in the park. Once you go through the main gate, the sightlines are quite nice as well. Being able to see glimpses of each land is really cool. Atlantis might be too far off in the distance, but it's still a great view! Also this area is an easy place to highlight the verticality of this park as we look at the pirate ship below Jolly Roger's Tavern and carry our sight up to the lighthouse. So much detail and immersion.
The Barbary Coast is bright and colorful - lot of great object usage, namely with the blue tennis court nets. Really unique aesthetic that we rarely see in RCT - North Africa! I spent most of my time in this area viewing the docks along the center lake - really detailed. Windwaker perhaps isn't my favorite layout in the park, but it's definitely unique and we don't see this coaster type a lot. Lot of interaction and the commitment to theming and detail on the roof tops is great. Cutlass on the other hand takes those interactions and cranks it up to the max. Absolutely love the layout and how well the last couple elements of the ride are nestled between the station, queue, and exit path. Excellent stuff.
Moving on to Jakarta Bay, that treasure ship is beautiful! I agree it would've been neat for the bikes to go through the ship, but oh well! Still a great corner of the park. I adore the quiet transition from Cutlass to the treasure ship with the raised buildings with brown track rooves near The Trading Post. Love little serene moments like that. Also, the station/entire area around Naga is perfection.. like come on dude! That station is a jawdropper, as well as the giant rock formations and interaction. Would be quite intense of a rides flying around like that. Lastly, I'll point out the continuation to unique ships/boats. So cool.
Next up, Atlantis. Really unique spin on a classical theme. It's bright and colorful which I enjoy quite a bit. The use of the Goliath rocks and treasure chests were great little details to add even more character here. Goldrush was a fun layout - especially enjoyed the last bit of the ride as it snaked up this rocky ravine.
Huge fan of the shipwreck beneath the temple island by the giant squid. Really cool atmosphere.
Moving on to the Caribbean, the architecture here is such a great elevation of the base scenery tab. It's difficult to pick a favorite area, but this feels so lived in and detailed. The pirate ships are also massive! There's so much to explore here with the Treasure Quest ride, the coasters, different shorelines with unique details, and that awesome adventure queue for Vodou. Speaking of which, the station is quite unique. Loved it. And again, the verticality and layer here is top notch. You have the bustling paths to the left and at the top, Treasure Quest sneaking underneath Mr. Bones, the station overhead, just so much going on in one little sliver of the park.
Lastly, as we wrap up near the entrance, just want to give a quick shout out to the landscaping/foliage. Amazing usage of the land trick to make tunnels throughout the park, but amazing waterfalls on display as well. Such a lovely scene.. it's a simple moment and easy to pass over, but just reinforces the atmosphere and world building.
I'm sure I could say more about this park - I think others have said that this feels new yet old. Somewhat with the meta, but also timeless. As with all of your work, this is a park that other's will draw inspiration from and come back to time and time again. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. We are lucky to have you!
Everywhere I look there's another clever use of an object and a great scene or small detail, the macro is pretty much perfect and the ride design is fantastic. Probably not much more I can say that others won't say better, but I'd like to mention Rum Plunderer is an amazing supporting ride, love the layout, interaction and support work of it. Also, the centerpiece ships themselves, best I've ever seen in NCSO or possibly in RCT in general.
I don't have much more to say than this;
It is no secret that I love this sort of theme, I've always loved tropical parks since encountering Palm Tropics Resort many, many years ago. This is, in every sense, an incredible evolution of the theme in an NCSO fashion. You continue to be a massive inspiration to me; from the architecture to the landscaping to the ride design - everything just *feels* right.
If you told me you were a reincarnation of Chris Sawyer, I'd believe it. Well done.
Edit: Second highest scoring accolade ever is so well deserved it's unreal.
This is one of the few releases thats made me feel the excitement I felt when I first discovered the online RCT community. We've come so far in terms of techniques and innovations but nothing else has left me with so many "wow" moments in a long time. One of the big reasons you're in the running for GOAT full scale park builder is the level to which you utilize park composition to create a sense of immersion. And as I believe I said about Ancient Worlds, you perfectly balance both consideration of the isometric view and the perspective of a peep exploring the park.
On top of all the praise I could shower for your macro & composition, your use of NCSO is as groundbreaking and clean as always. Such a refreshing and natural use of a narrow range of objects, I think CSO builders can learn much from your object use as well.
Could post screens of all my favorite moments but 1) they're too numerous 2) nothing will do the experience of viewing the park in-game justice, so just fucking download it and take it in.
I think the coolest thing about your parkmaking is that it's a fusion of that classic NCSO style, but with modern techniques and scenery usage that will change how people build with NCSO. Your parks always seem kind of nostalgic to me but are also very innovative and refreshing and Age of Sail is no exception.
There are a ton of highlights of this park, like the Galleon or the station roof for Naga. Yet, it's the small details, made with some unexpected scenery pieces that I really find awesome: things like the rope fence ladders, the heartline twister squid, the 3D signs being used as wooden beams sticking out of walls, or the tennis net being used for windmill blades. I also love that building that uses half of the colosseum object for its walls... it's a very beautiful part of the park.
All-in-all, congratulations on getting spotlight on this park... it's compositionally perfect, and there's a ton of extremely creative and truly ingenious scenery usage.
Coasters are top notch, the tricks in your architecture are innovative and the landscape is flawless. You pump these parks out like they're nothing and I'm jealous.
Someone mentioned on the Discord that your style is one to aspire for, I wholeheartedly agree. This is why I love good NCSO, it captures that RCT spirit with the original textures. Congratulations on another fantastic park!
Wow a 97 is incredible! Congrats to that, super cool. This is such a fun and inspiring park. X surly does mark the spotlight, I love that huge X in the water. The entrance is my favorite area is the whole park. Its just an entire masterclass in form; where to lead the viewer, and density and shit, where is busy and where is peaceful! Damn you’ve even got busy lookin places feelin peaceful, (the ship wreck under the lim!!! insane!) Shoutout to the rice paddies, thats beautiful. The sus swinging coaster is my favorite area and ride in the park, holy cow!
Yeah idk how a just a little comment can reflect anything about how stellar this park is!! So much to learn. I love your object selection for roofs, im so bad at that. These dont use that many different objects, its clean simple and sick af. Also the color blocking of whole areas is really nice.
(also shoutout to commenting like 6 line about drama and 1 about the park hehe)
Truly an inspiring park. As others have noted, I appreciate how alex blends the classic NCSO style with modern techniques to produce something captivating. Comparisons will be made between this park and Ancient Worlds. I think both are excellent in their own right, but I feel Age of Sail has bolder landscaping and architecture while retaining great macro and cleanliness.
My favorite section in the park is probably Asia, with the purple coaster "Naga" and the junk boats. The architecture here was fantastic and used trackitecture brilliantly. I also really enjoyed the rice paddy landscaping, which I thought was executed really nicely.
I also want to comment on the entrance area. I appreciate how you took an almost similar approach to Evergreen Gardens with the sight lines obstructed mainly to the rest of the park until you cross the main gates. I also think putting what I assume is a take on the Lighthouse of Alexandria at the entrance area was a nice touch and worked well.
I also think the use of water within the overall landscape of this park really helped elevate it, especially with the maritime theme. The way you incorporated waterfalls and other coves and bays into some of the rides was genuinely excellent and elevated the park's atmosphere.
Is the 97% score perhaps a little inflated? I'm not sure. On the one hand, this park is genuinely excellent and absolutely deserves a high score. On the other hand, I'm not sure I see a 7.5% difference between this park and, say, Storybrook Glen. But, of course, that's a whole other discussion to be had.
All in all, alex, you should be proud once again. Keep being awesome.
@Mulpje, I apologize for that comment. My comment was rude and lacking in an appropriate tone. If you'd like to discuss it further, please DM me.
Amazing park, one of my favorites of all-time. I love how NCSO gives that pure RCT look, which you nailed here. It's like Rivers of Babylon meets Riverlands thanks to all the details you worked in.
Port Royal was my favorite area, layout, attractions just all perfectly done. Outstanding and even a hacked landscape. Loved it. 100% work here. Vodou is a perfect coaster too, amazing layout, pacing and interaction.
The Barbary Coast was great. Not a big fan of Wind Waker, but Cutlass was outstanding. I see you worked in some other rides, but they seem to get lost in 2x2 buildings. Unclear where they start.
Jarkarta Bay was brilliant, especially Naga and its epic station. Love all the ships and that temple. Not as amazed by the other side of the area with Stowaway, but it's all still solid work. Raindance is cute, but did not seem like a great fit in that space.
Lost Kingdom had some of the best landscaping and buildings in the park. Still, I didn't love the rides here. Goldrush has a nice layout and fantastic Q, just not a fan of the main element being a dive loop. The scale did not seem right. Good coaster otherwise.
The main water rides in the park were a weak point imo. Neptune's Fury seemed pretty generic and had no trident, tho a restaurant on the other side of the area did? Cassia Cascades has great layered rapids and a outstanding station/Q, but it's really just a big circle among a very nice landscape. The lift is hidden underground too. Not a fan of water rides having a big main drop and then hitting a turn at an unrealistic speed, not really possible on a free-floating ride.
Sorry if my feedback sounds a little negative. I really love the park overall. I think I would have been a 95/YES vote. Cool with the 97% AP score too. This is really a fantastic park and worthy of a very high score. It's as clean and "finished" as I have ever seen. I would just encourage you to get a little more creative next time.
Congrats on your near natelox-level 4th NE Spotlight, hope to see a 5th in the future!
EXT. PARK ENTRANCE
It's an early Summer day at Age of Sail, a newly opened theme park at an undisclosed locale. It's hot and muggy, with tropical ambiance surrounding it's guests. It's crowded, but pleasant. Palm trees sway overhead while the subtle sound of rushing water from the central fountain bubbles in the background. The park's creator and owner, alex, waits eagerly in front of it for his first VIP Tour.
alex: Okay, it's ten past 9:00, the fuck are these losers?
Steve: Hey, you got the time?
alex: Oh, hey, yeah, uh, it's ten past 9:00.
Steve: Oh, shoot, do you know where the tours start?
alex: ...you're Steve, aren't you?
Steve: Wow, ugh, this is wicked embarrassing. alex!
The two embrace. A classic mix up. They reconnect over the course of a couple minutes while a cast member comes by with a welcome package and tickets. It features various park gifts with a bottled water and snacks. However, there was more than one welcome bag...
Steve: Uh, are these all for me?
alex: You didn't think this was a private tour, did y-- oh, here they come!
Through the crowd beyond the fountain, they emerge: posix, Liam, CC9 and Xtreme. The entire New Element staff had also been secretly invited to tour the park.
alex: Guys! You made it!
posix: Sorry for being so late, so not like me... but you see what I'm dealing with? Look at these three.
Liam: I told you I had to bring these four cameras.
CC9: And I told you I had to stop and help that family dying of heat exhaustion.
Xtreme: Well, if I had known we were doing hilarious things to be late and make posix look bad then I would have done something specific and outrageous, too...
posix: I have no doubt that you'll find the time.
Steve: Guys can you please shut the fuck up and let Xtreme hug me already, good lord.
The group chat for some time, catching up and taking in the sights of the imposing park gates and plaza prior. After recounting old and fond times, they find themselves inside the park's first port of call...
INT. JOLLY ROGER'S TAVERN
Slapshod theming surrounds the inside of the quaint little cafe. Knick knacks and barrels and pirate garb adorn the walls and floors, while the smell of breakfast invades.
alex: Okay, everything is on the house today, folks! So what'll it be?
posix: I think I'll stick with a black coffee for now. I don't know where Liam and CC9 went...
Xtreme: You guys got anything loaded with sugar?
alex: We'll rustle up our enormous cinnamon roll for ya. Steve?
Steve: I'll wait until we get to the Dunkin' further in the park, man, all good here.
alex: ...wait, huh?
Steve: I'll get something at the Dunkin'.
alex: Oh. Oh, uh, man... well, there isn-
Xtreme: Steve, there's no fucking Dunkin' Donuts here.
A hush falls over the entire restaurant. Patrons who were once eating suddenly turn their attention to the front of the building where our group is huddled. Even Liam and CC9 who were at the restrooms taking photos for Liam's new blog burst into the doors, jaws nearly to the floor in anticipation of what would happen next. Steve pauses for a moment, and collects himself through furrowed brow and shuddered breaths.
Steve: Wicked rude.
alex: I'm sorry, I know, I mean maybe we can ju-
Steve: No no no, it's fine I'll get a cold brew and just suffer...
Xtreme: I'm sure it's good here, Steve, chill... Where you guys been?
Liam: We were at the toilets, I was doing a review of them for my new blog.
CC9: I went with him to check out the heart monitor things outside next to the fountains.
posix: Can you guys please be normal for longer than five minutes?
EXT. THE SALTY DOG
The group finds themselves deep inside the park now, watching the hustle and bustle of pirate life while Vodou roars by beyond the water and brush. Within proximity, Treasure Quest boats and Rum Plunderer carts both cruise by through their courses.
Xtreme: I love a good beemer. I remember when I did Hulk at Islands of Adventure the first time. You guys know I love Universal? Man, just so good. I could spend all day there. You guys know the UK is getting a Universal park? I remember when I did Hulk for the second time, too. I have the on-ride photo for all 39 times, actually.
Liam: I have four cameras on me and still wouldn't be able to capture the mundanity of that digression.
posix: Liam, be nice or I'll make you run a contest. alex, how do you do all this?
alex: Build the park? A lot of trial and error and hard work, I guess? Patience?
Steve: Well, I really like this mine shaft object here. What's even in this doorway?
alex: STEVE WAIT.
Steve opens the door to the mine shaft object. A burst of light appears before, finally, a darkness shows itself with stars and galaxies surrounding him. In the center of this, a figure of some kind sits at a desk with a laptop only. Suddenly, Steve finds himself next to them.
Steve: Uh... hello?
sacoasterfreak: Oh, thank God -- I'm saved! How did you find me?!
Steve: Oh shit okay you're a hugger, heh okay okay well yeah I just opened the door to this thing and then I was here, I guess? This is kind of freaking me out, honestly. Is there a way outta he--
Steve was grabbed by the back of his shirt and found himself back in the park. The gang stared wide-eyed at what had just happened, while alex stands hunched over and out of breath.
CC9: Okay, what was that.
alex: That's just... don't worry about that. Employees only! Haha!
Steve: But there was like, fucking space and shit in there...
alex: That is one of our bigger break rooms, yeah... okay, let's move on!
Steve: Move on? Dude, what--
alex: I'll build a Dunkin here.
Steve: Oh...then that really was a big break room.
EXT. RESTROOM 15
Our intrepid gang arrives in an area of the park shrouded in overgrowing foliage and adorned with ruins. The Summer heat bears down. Nearby, the group can see one of the park's water rides, Neptune's Fury, in the distance.
Liam: Okay, another toilet ripe for reviewing. I'll be right back. posix, come help me.
posix: With what, exactly?
Liam: The review. For my vlog. I just need you to hold it.
posix: Liam, I've told you this already...
Liam: No, no... hold the CAMERA, posix. I didn't bring a tripod.
posix: You're insufferable.
Xtreme: That was weird. Anyway. Steve, let's go on Neptune's Fury! Y'know, reminds me of that walkthrough ride at Islands of Ad-
Steve: I'm going to stop you right there.
CC9: I'll come with you guys, it's hotter out here than when my AC at home stopped working for three minutes.
alex: And I'll meet you guys at the loading platform. I gotta take care of something.
Steve, Xtreme, and CC9 find their way to the queue. They were curious about what alex was up to, but pressed on. The standby wait time for the impressive water ride exceeded ninety minutes, but the gang was determined to get wet on this sweltering Summer day.
Steve: This wait is absolutely fucked, we've been in line already now for half an hour and I think I could die here.
CC9: It's been four minutes, Steve.
Xtreme: Why couldn't alex have gotten us ahead of the line? What was the point of the VIP treatment, y'know?
Steve: Don't ask stupid questions unless you want a stupid answer.
CC9: Is it too early for a beer?
Xtreme: Well I think we're getting lunch after this, maybe alex cou-- Oh! God, shit.
Out of nowhere, an alex surprise. He had filtered his way through the line to find the guys waiting, though hurriedly and somewhat out of breath. He had pulled them from the line and brought them straight to the front, and promptly boarded a vessel for the ride as it departs from the station.
Steve: Ah. The royal treatment I deserve.
CC9: We thought you left us hanging, man!
alex: I see what you guys really think of me, huh. I just had to tend to a little something!
Xtreme: I'm grateful either way. Those waterfalls are just... ugh.
Steve: They really are... and oh shit, is there dark ride stuff on this one? The theming here is great.
alex: You bet there is. Went above and beyo-- oh, no.
natelox: (whispering) psst! Hey! I can't stay here, dude, the fuck. I told you I'd help but this is insane.
alex: (under breath) I told you to stick to the script!
Steve: alex, is that...?
alex: Ah, guys, don't worry... it's nothing! Little faulty wiring, all good. Check out that water feature, huh!
CC9: Was that a real person?
INT. MADAME CHENG'S
Under the cover of wooden beams and thatch roofing, the squad reassembles for lunch at the park. This spot offers not only shade and grub, but the chance to finally have some true conversation between friends. Maybe even the chance to find out what the fuck is going on.
Steve: What the fuck is going on? ...alex? ALEX.
alex: Huh?
posix: You've been kind of out of it since walking from that ride to lunch, here.
Xtreme and CC9: (in tandem) Really out of it.
Liam: Guys, you're overreacting. As a leading historian on these things, if alex was harboring fugitives of parkmaking like natelox and sacoasterfreak then I would absolutely know about it. You have nothing to worry about.
alex: Well...
Liam: ...oh, no.
alex: I didn't think anyone would notice! I've been building parks for years and no one had caught on to the atmosphere and the ride design and the architecture. And they've both been long gone for such a long time that I didn't think the connections would be made. I mean, come on, so what if there's a little ghost building going on?
posix: We're going to have to neg on so much shit for the website, oh my god. Xtreme, start drafting that announcement.
Xtreme: Way ahead of you, boss.
Steve: Wait wait wait, so all the stuff you've been doing, alex, was done by those guys? It makes so much sense.
alex: Fatha' and x-sector miiiiiiiiight be in the lighthouse...
CC9: Definitely not too early for a beer now.
Steve: Okay, this is fine, it's okay. alex, a little light kidnapping and impersonation is fine, y'know? These things happen, right? I mean people have been copying me for years, right, Liam?
Liam: Don't ask stupid questions you don't want stupid answers to.
Steve: You weren't even there when I said that. Anyway. alex, we can fix this, we just gotta let 'em go and hopefully they don't press charges.
posix: I'm on damage control now but alex, I am very disappointed. But, also, proud to witness what seems to be a turning point for you. I trust you will do the right thing going forward.
alex: Thanks, dad.
posix: What?
alex: I said I'm sorry. I will make things right, guys.
Thereafter, the group's meals arrive. alex had arranged a full spread prior to the conversation of setting things straight. Through further heartfelt connections and good times, alex's good intentions came to light. Although the actions may have been nefarious, they came from a kind disposition. Regardless, the New Element staff had to depart early due to what had come to fruition. They say their goodbyes...
posix: Thanks. Bye.
CC9: Thanks so much, man, it was a blast!
Liam: Fuck, I lost my fourth camera.
Xtreme: (through tears and hugs) I'll talk to you later, Steve.
EXT. LOADING DOCK OF CORSAIR CRUISE
Steve and alex had made their way towards the park's wooden coaster Cutlass, before stopping at the park's internal water transport. Steve, too, had decided to cut things a little short, and hitch the next boat back to the park's entrance. But not before having a true heart-to-heart with the park's creator.
Steve: I guess this is it.
alex: Are you always this dramatic?
Steve: It's like you don't even know me at all.
alex: Well, I'm just sorry that it had to come to all this. Why'd you have to open that door earlier? It's like it set off this chain reaction or something.
Steve: It was so creative and I was curious! Don't gaslight me, asshole.
alex: I just wanted to be great.
Steve: Hey, you are great, dude. Despite all the imitation and influence or inspiration or kidnapping or whatever I mean... you still did some of it, right? I mean there's some nuance here that is unmistakably you, and that's something that no one can do but yourself. You'll take inspiration from whoever you want, but in the end, your trademark mannerisms are what really makes your work so special, man. I know everyone is grateful for it, and you should be, too.
alex: Wow. That was the nicest thing you've ever said to me.
Steve: It wasn't wicked rude?
alex: No, man. It was perfect.
The two embrace on the dock as a boat drifts by with staff disembarking to tie the vessel down. The sun begins to lower on the horizon, and the temperature with it. Steve puts down his welcome package bag and rifles through it to find an Age of Sail hoodie, and begins to put it on before the boat departs.
Boat Captain: How many in your party, sir?
Steve: Just one for me.
alex: ...until the next park?
Steve: I'll be there, man.
alex: Wicked cool.
chatgpt is embarrassed to have generated that
just logged in to leave a comment. what an achievement.
Thanks a lot for all the reviews and comments