I’ve not really played many golf games on a computer since my High School days and there are two reasons for this; firstly because there were very few websites you could actually get on using school computers, so it was only basic games like mini golf or pool that you could end up finding online. My second reason is because I really don’t like golf that much so I’ve never really bothered going out of my way to purchase or even play a golf themed game, with the exception of Wii Sports when it first came out. Despite my lack of interest in the sport though I will admit that since a crazy golf course opened up by me I do enjoy playing the occasional game now and again, but only because it’s so freakin crazy, normal golf bores me more than playing the Sims. So can this 3D Golf game developed by Z-Software GmbH do what my local crazy golf course has done to perk me up, or will it make me just as tired as when someone forces me to watch the Ryder Cup?
First impressions are important, and my first thoughts on this game aren’t spectacular but they aren’t really bad either. Opening up the game you’re introduced to a screen where you create your User profile before being taken to the main menu which has a very simple layout that’s easy to navigate and doesn’t try to overcomplicate anything. On the main menu you’ll be able to select from various game modes that vary from selecting specific holes to practice on in challenge mode, to playing through a tournament and selecting a local multiplayer mode that allows you to compete with up to 4 friends. Starting any of the modes takes you to one of three pleasant looking 3D populated worlds (a park, a campsite and a sandy beach) which doesn’t look completely realistic but it isn’t an overly cartoony style either, it’s just enough that you can tell that realism is the main focus without trying to make the feel of the game too serious like a golf sim such as the PGA Tour games.
Despite not looking like the most impressive game, 3D Golf does have a lot to offer in fairness to it with over 54 challenging holes, 18 of which are apparently modelled after official courses in the real world. Each of the courses as mentioned above takes place in one of three locations which consist of a lush green park, a family friendly campsite (not the kind you see in horror movies) and a lovely sandy beach (free of sharks). As you make your way around the course you can collect virtual medals for your best matches and always replay the game to try and beat yours or your friend’s best scores. The only downside is that multiplayer is local and not playable online so you all have to take it in turns for your go on one computer and well frankly, I thought those kind of days were in the past. You expect that back on school computers or maybe for little children to play on but I think it makes the game feel a little dated and leaves a lot to be desired even at a small £6.99 price tag on Steam.
Gameplay isn’t the games strongest point either; with two control systems available using either a mouse or a keyboard (you can probably programme a controller for use as well) the controls are very easy to pick up. It’s as simple as controlling which direction you want to hit the ball in, then selecting the power you want to hit the ball before the club swings. Now this should be pretty easy to get the physics correct but I couldn’t help but feel like the game was far too sensitive. The best example to explain this is for hole 1 of challenge mode, a long flat green with the hole at the opposite end to where you tee up. Now you begin to line up your shot, easier with a mouse than a keyboard, but due to being oversensitive the pointer moves too much taking it past your target. When you finally manage to line your shot up you can try and set the power, but again it appears to be oversensitive as even taking your shot halfway up the powerbar it over hits the ball enough reach the end of the course and bounce back. So for something which should be as simple as hitting a ball straight into the hole since it was Par 1, it isn’t.
It could be argued that the controls for the camera are just as annoying as the controls for playing the game, although they go in the complete opposite direction of being overly sensitive. Instead setting up your camera seems more static and rather than being allowed to roam freely so you can work out all the best angles to hit a ball at, you’re kind of restricted to what you are able to see. This is because the game uses fixed angles that you cycle through so whereas most golf games allow you to get the layout of the course before taking a shot, this game makes it difficult to do that and this hampers the gameplay experience.
So overall I have to say that I’m not too impressed with this game. If it were made by game development students or someone starting out and this being an early effort it would be classed as a decent enough try, but I’ve found that the game feels very dated and I’ve played free mini golf games online that were a little better than this. Despite looking like a nice game and offering quite a bit for gamers to do, the physics seem to be off and considering the controls are very simple this is a major let down. I think if they tidied this up so the sensitivity wasn’t so much of an issue and also made it a little more challenging by using a moving power bar that you had to stop rather than allowing you to select exactly how hard you hit a ball it would add a little more fun to the game. It could also better from a new camera mode that allows you to get the lay of the land and an online multiplayer mode for you to be able to play other gamers online. As it stands though I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you are addicted to mini golf games so it gets a low 1.5/5.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Windows Minimum:
- OS: XP/Vista/7/8
- Processor: Dual-Core: 2GHz
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Graphics: Video 3D 256MB
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Hard Drive: 1GB Available Space
- Sound Card: Windows Compatible Card
Additional Notes: Multiplayer mode is turn-based on one computer, it is not online.
Mac OS X Minimum:
- OS: 10.8
- Processor: 2GHz Intel-Based and Above
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Graphics: 256MB RAM Required
- Hard Drive: 2GB Available Space
Additional Notes: Multiplayer mode is turn-based on one computer, it is not online.
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
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