Differences in tutorial and my work

[The Great Fry]

Hello all,
This is my first post. I started doing some of these maps about a week ago and have tired a few different styles. I have a question about two of the styles I tired. I followed these tutorials
Building a Continent
Atlas Style
It's the same question for both maps. I believe I am following the guide to the letter, but end up with different results.
My question is how Ascension is able to keep a relativity smooth land mass?
Like in step 39 of the continent tutorial he shows a picture and I get a pretty rugged land scape when I attempt it.
Mine on the left vs Ascension's on the Right
continent.jpgtut2.jpg
And another example is in the atlas tutorial at step 22 he shows his example, which varies drastically with mine.
atlas wip.jpgtut1.jpg
I think it has something do to with how I set the lighting but I am not sure. Or could it be version differences or something of that nature?
If someone could clear this up, or point me in the right direction I would appreciate it a lot.
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum by the way.

EDIT: My bad I linked the wrong guide. The atlas link was to the wrong guide, fixed