Games Database
PC
Sport: Golf
| Also for: | Power Mac | ||
| Viewed: | 3D Combination | Genre: | Sport: Golf |
| Media: | CD | Arcade origin: | No |
| Developer: | Microsoft | Soft. Co.: | Microsoft |
| Publishers: | Microsoft
(GB) |
Released: | 12 Oct 2001
(GB) |
| Ratings: | 3+ | ||
| Accessories: | Control Pad | ||
Summary
Golf is one of the few games that is more fun to play in simulated form on computer than it is in real life. If you can be bothered to find a course that will let you play, you have to get there, deal with “those looks” in the clubhouse and suffer businessmen called Barry weighing up the benefits of the wife’s runaround.
Then all you have to look forward to is lugging a heavy bag around a six-mile course whilst trying to hit what can only be described as a very small ball with a credit card sized piece of wood or metal, all the time being intimidated by Barry and friends telling you to hurry through.
It is for this reason that video golf was created.
The genre has had its stars in the past. The PGA series found a great following in the 16-Bit era and other classics, such as Neo Turf Masters and Top Players Golf stood the test of time in the arcades.
The Links series is one of the longest running PC series and has built up a loyal userbase over the years. This is mainly due to its hardcore golf simulator ethos. Some golf games are games. This is a dedicated simulator and is the leader in its field by some way.
This edition could be described as Links 2001 on steroids. As well as all the real courses from 2001 as well as 13 new complete courses designed by various prominent members of from the golfing world such as Arnold Palmer and Sergio Garcia.
As with most golf games, Links relies on the time-honoured combination of astute decision making and finger timing. You choose the direction and stance of your player, select the club and then tap the power bar. You have to tap it again when it gets to the desired percentage and then tap again when it passes the centre of the bottom of the bar. Any deviation from this results in either a hook or a slice shot which more experienced players can utilise to negotiate turns and doglegs.
The courses are made up of semi-digitised renders of real courses and, as such, seem fairly realistic. As well as loads of courses and golfers you get some little extras thrown in to this particular pack, namely full online tournament modes and a course designer.
This, the latest Links title is one of the better PC golf titles on the market and will doubtlessly please fans of the sport and any middle manager named Barry.
Then all you have to look forward to is lugging a heavy bag around a six-mile course whilst trying to hit what can only be described as a very small ball with a credit card sized piece of wood or metal, all the time being intimidated by Barry and friends telling you to hurry through.
It is for this reason that video golf was created.
The genre has had its stars in the past. The PGA series found a great following in the 16-Bit era and other classics, such as Neo Turf Masters and Top Players Golf stood the test of time in the arcades.
The Links series is one of the longest running PC series and has built up a loyal userbase over the years. This is mainly due to its hardcore golf simulator ethos. Some golf games are games. This is a dedicated simulator and is the leader in its field by some way.
This edition could be described as Links 2001 on steroids. As well as all the real courses from 2001 as well as 13 new complete courses designed by various prominent members of from the golfing world such as Arnold Palmer and Sergio Garcia.
As with most golf games, Links relies on the time-honoured combination of astute decision making and finger timing. You choose the direction and stance of your player, select the club and then tap the power bar. You have to tap it again when it gets to the desired percentage and then tap again when it passes the centre of the bottom of the bar. Any deviation from this results in either a hook or a slice shot which more experienced players can utilise to negotiate turns and doglegs.
The courses are made up of semi-digitised renders of real courses and, as such, seem fairly realistic. As well as loads of courses and golfers you get some little extras thrown in to this particular pack, namely full online tournament modes and a course designer.
This, the latest Links title is one of the better PC golf titles on the market and will doubtlessly please fans of the sport and any middle manager named Barry.
