Fore Play

Nintendo has announced that will be adding golf to its sporting compendium Nintendo Switch Sports next week. The game enjoyed by rich capitalists and corrupt officials the world over will find itself added �free of char?ge �for all players on Monday, November 28.

The golf update will feature an adaptation of the much-enjoyed Wii Sports golf effort, complete?? with all of that title's 21 holes. Also included is a new "Survival Golf" tournament mode, which will support up to eight players online in a knockout competition to complete holes in the fewe??st strokes possible.

Of course, casual local play with pals will also be available, so you can ??probably get your relatives up off of the sofa this Holiday season. Spirit of '09 is back in action, baby.

Nintendo Switch Sports is ?available now on... Nintendo Switch, naturally.

//twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1594858249123143682?s=20??&t=??-Onj5lYKiXdnUc0MbHBZzw

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Back to the links?

Clap Hanz, the indie outfit behind the beloved Everybody's Golf franchise, has registered two new golf-related trademarks, suggesting that the Yokohama-based studio m??ight be preparing to return to the green in the near future.

As spotted by ResetEra users, (and later reported by VGC), the trademarks Easy Come, Easy Golf and いつでもGOLF, (which roughly translates to "Golf Anytime"), were registered together, which suggests that they are localized names for the exact same project. Whether this represents an all-new golfing franchise or is merely a rebranding for the previously released Apple Arcade game Clap Hanz Golf is unknown.

Everybody's Golf launched on PlayStation in 1997 to immediate success, presenting quality golf gameplay with accessible controls, tight mechanics, and a generally cheerful and charming comedic aesthetic. This original release would be followed by over 10 sequels and spin-offs on various PlayStation and mobile platforms. The last iteration launched on PSVR in 2019. Given the closure of PlayStation Studios �as well as an overall disinterest in supporting t??hird-party projects �??the chance of the series returning anytime soon is incredibly unlikely.

The franchise is definitely missed by its dedicated playerbase. Given golf's intricate technicalities, titles such as the Clap Hanz series �as well as franchises such as Mario Golf and Golf Story �ar??e often very successful, stripping back the simulation efforts and replacing them with colorful and charismatic visuals. Hopefully, Clap Hanz will reveal its plans for the new trademarks very soon.

Everybody’s Golf studio has reg??istered trademarks for a potential new golf game [VGC]

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Online support ends September 30

One of the very finest links swingers, Everybody's Golf, is getting set to close up the green later this year, at least in an online sense. Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that it will be shuttering all online services for the jolly golf sim this fal??l, unfortunately?? putting an end to all multiplayer modes.

“Online servers for Everybody’s Golf will shut down on September 30, 2022," wrote the developer on the official website. "All online features (including onl?ine multiplayer modes) will cease on that date. You will still be able to play and? enjoy the game in single-player offline modes."

The modes and features that will be rendered unusable from October 1 include Open Course Selection, Turf War, International Tournaments, all ranking and profile viewing pages, leaderboards, and a ??selection of specific fishing prizes. In addition, players will no longer be able to bag any online-related trophies �so move fast, trophy hunters!

Everybody's Golf, which launched on PS4 way back in 2017?, has long offered players low-intensity golfing action, retaining some of the skill, strategy, and geometry of the sport while lightening up affairs with cutesy character models, colorful visuals, and an overall party atmosphere. The title has had a very successful five-year run, and it will be a real shame to see the gates locked forever. At least you can still enjoy offline bunker-dodging post-fall �though this does entirely preclude the brand's party vibe.

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Swing and a miss

Electronic Arts has announced that it is shifting the launch date of its incoming simulator EA Sports PGA Tour. Oddly, the publisher did not offer a new release date, nor call the shift a "delay," but one would assume that the premier golf title has been pushed backward, and will no lo??nger be meeting its initial spring 2022 release window.

"Hey golf fans, we wanted to let you know that we are shifting the launch date of EA Sports PGA Tour," said EA on Twitter. "We're excited to bring championship golf to you and will be providing more informatio??n on our laun?ch plans in the coming months."

Currently in development at Electronic Arts' Tiburon studio, EA Sports PGA Tour represents EA's first use of the PGA license since 2015, with the new simulator utilizing the company's Frostbite engine to provide a next-gen golfing experience like none other that has come before. EA hopes to provide incredible realism alongside stunning photo-realistic visuals to offer fans the best title in the PGA Golf franchise's decades-long hi??story. While understandably niche, the golf simulator has always proved successful, and EA Sports will no doubt wish to see their new ti??tle hit the links soon.

EA Sports PGA Tour? is c??urrently in development for PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

//twitter.com/EASPORTSPGATOUR/status/1455989220342960?136?s=20

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Fore-shadowing

As part of Tokyo Game Show 2021, publisher Kemco has released a new trailer and some fresh deets pertaining to its ultra-cute golfing adventure RPGolf Legends, which will tee off on PC and console platforms at some point in 2022.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pezzS-sCmY4

RPGolf Legends will see players step into the pleated skirt of a golfing enthusiast as they embark on a mystic quest to save the sport from an evil entity. Yep. This powerful force has sealed off all of the golf holes in the world, and you, armed with your trusty six-iron and aided by the "spirit of a golf club", must travel the gl??obe clearing greens, ??dodging bunkers, battling monsters, fishing, and helping out a huge roster of fun characters along the way. Oh, don't forget to play some golf, too.

An adorable blend of Legend of Zelda-style adventuring and accessible golfing fun, RPGolf Legends looks to be a blast. Well worth sticking on your wishlist if you were a fan of Sidebar Games similarly themed Golf Story, or Nintendo's Game Boy Advance classic Mario Golf: Advance Tour. No specific release date has been announced, but RPGolf Legends will arrive on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switc?h at some point next year.

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Metroid and roguelikes meet on the golf course

Golf games have been exploring just what virtual golf can be, exactly. And Cursed to Golf, a new golfing game from Chuhai Labs and Thunderful Publishing, asks: what i??f golf was a roguelike? And what if you were also in Golf Purgatory?

Announced today, Cursed to Golf is headed for PC in January 2022 as a full-fledged game. The setup i?s that you're on the winning shot of an int??ernational tournament when tragedy strikes, and now you—the Cursed Golfer, trapped in Golf Purgatory—need to tee off across the devious courses of the underworld to get home.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWwv7HRifug

I mentioned "full game" because there's a precursor of sorts available free on Itch, if you'd like to get an idea of what Cursed to Golf is going for. I had actually played it a while ago, after seeing it pop up?? on social media, and it's pretty ??interesting.

As you golf through courses, you can pick up new boons to help you make Par on each new hole. Different upgrades can add new abilities to your golfer, to make navigating the treacherous hazards a bit easier, and it loo??ks like the full game is adding some wild stuff. I love the portals, in particular.

The final game will also include online leaderboards, as well as over 80 holes to play and a Daily Challenge Mode. Basically, a lot of golf to play. I've been enjoying the way that developers have been re-interpreting the act of virtual golfing, with neat indies like Golf Story coming up with inventive uses for a classic style of gameplay. Seems like Cursed to Golf is one to keep a??n eye on if you're also into fresh take?s on the digital green.

You can wishlist Cursed to Golf on Steam over here.

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Take me down to the New Donk City, where the grass is green and the shots are chippy

Mario Golf: Super Rush got its first bout of post-launch content last night: the previously shown New Donk City course, based on the city from Super Mario Odyssey. And you might ??think a city, with its urban s?prawl and massive skyscrapers, would make for a bad—or at least, unconventional—golf course.

It does, and that's why it works so well.

When I played through Mario Golf: Super Rush back at launch, I had a good time playing some normal, regular, let's-take-turns-teeing-off golf. It was the other issues that made it a lackluster experience for me, and I've only played a couple rounds o?f 18 sinc?e then. Part of that was easily the roster of courses.

Most felt pulled in two directions: trying to be a golf course, and trying to be a Speed Golf course. Mario Golf: Super Rush introduced the Speed Golf mode as a fun, party-game alternative to standard golf where you sprint between shots, occa??sionally dodging hazards and messing with your friends.

It's a neat concept, but one I just didn't find myself wanting to play, and in turn, most of the courses felt a little flat when playing standard golf. Each range would have a standout or two, or possibly some tricky environmental problems to navigate like? the grates on the Bowser course. But it lacked that Mario universe charm.

Booting up New Donk City, ??I wasn't sure if it would really nail it. But after playing a standard round of 18 with som??e friends, I'm hoping it's the sign of what's in store for future updates.

Playing in the city mea?ns navigating around lo?ts of unconventional hazards, like a car parked in the street or a signpost blocking your short shot. Even though the map itself is fairly small and contained, you end up playing across it over multiple holes. It ends up making great use of small space to create new problems to solve.

A favorite of mine calls for you to tee off with a building in the direct patch of your shot, so it already checks the golfer's ability to curve their shots. On others, a missed angle meant placing your golf ball in an alley or around the corner, and now you have to navigate around the city layou??t.

We quickly developed a game of intentionally hi??tting objects to bounce the golf balls to where we wanted them. Huge trick shots were sunk by "donking" them off buildings, as we called it. It really feels like a reward for having a steady grasp of the game's physics when you "donk" a shot off a building and onto the green.

The greens also felt much more ch?allenging, with some surprising hills and lots of issues to deal with if you f?ell off and onto the outlying rough. But my favorite moments were the skyscraper holes near the end of the back-nine, where we were hitting shots from the roof of one tall building to another.

It's not just the spectacle, but the challenge that demands your accuracy and ability to read conditions like wind and gravity. I'm not necessarily s??aying New Donk City is difficult to play through; my first run ended up being a pretty good score, compared to my first run of other courses.

It's the inventiveness, the cheer, the atmosphere, and the general earnest fun of New Donk City that has already made it a standout course for me. Where the desert map felt more like a barren golf course with some Mario accouterment, New Donk City is the weird, wacky golf course I was looking for in the base game. It's got some fun set dressing, including the very-human-humans of New Donk City (it's weird that there are real, non-Mario-proportioned humans there, right?), and there were plenty of moments where I remembered a fun Moon I grabbed in Super Mario Odyssey while golfing through an area.

Mario Golf: Super Rush still has a ways to go for me. The online is still a bit of a mess, as we had someone lose connection halfway through, replacing them with a bot. We eventually had to quit out and remake a lobby, as we couldn't figure how, or even if, they could rejoin. The Ranked Match option is also a nice post-launch goal to chase, even if putting Yoshi color options behind?? an online rankin?g system doesn't feel great.

I just hope this is a sign of what's to come for Mario Golf: Super Rush. Its fellow Switch sports spinoff Mario Tennis Aces needed the same updates and support, and given how fast this update hit for Mario Golf, I'm hopeful. I'd like this to eventually square up with its predecessors, but for now, I'm happy to just have a course I'm eager to pl??ay another round through again.

(Oh, and I also tried out Toadette. Seems fine, but I'm sticking to my boy Bowser.??)

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Holesome Content

Triband's very cool and very silly title What the Golf? has received a new update, adding a ton of new courses, a new campaign mode, new music t??racks, and much more to the chaotic, physics-defying game. Best of all, the new update is available to download on Apple Arcade absolutely free! (The DLC will drop on PC and Switch in a few weeks' ?time).

A Hole New World adds approximately 1000 new holes to What the Golf?'s loony links, along with 50 new levels a??nd revised classic stages. There's more mad mechanics in order to keep?? your golf game as blunt as a bowling ball, alongside an expanded soundtrack and, perhaps most importantly of all, sausage dogs. It's probably best you just take a look at the trailer below, as I doubt I can really offer all of this silliness the credit it deserves.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCZNJssz0F8

Originally launching on Apple Arcade back in the fall of 2019, What the Golf? immediately won over critics and fans with its simple mechanics and compelling gameplay, whilst also offering plenty of laughs due to its increasingly bizarre concept and daft "anything goes" style. A PC port followed in 2019 with a Nintendo Switch edition following in May of this year. Just last week the Switch edition of What the Golf? received a DLC update a little earlier than intended, following a technical slip-up by the developer. Of course, Triband just leaned into its mistake, befitting of What the Golf?'s Chaotic Good.

What the Golf? is available no?w on PC, Switch, and Apple Arcade.

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A shaky fore-ay

Mario might be known for his platforming abilities, but I've always been just as keen on his side ventures into sports. The vari??ous Mario sports spin-offs can have a way of turning athletics into spectacles, brimming with charm while still retaining the core of what makes these activities appealing. They are on the arcade side of things, not simulation.

When Mario Golf: Super Rush is at its best, it nails this. It can be goofy, fun, and a nice mix of classic golfing with some Super Shots and challenging course obstacles. But when it feels like it's hitting the rough as often as it lands on the green, it gets harder to ignore ??the downsides.

Mario Golf: Super Rush provides a few different ways to smack tiny orbs across the links. Classic golf is pretty much exactly what you expect i??t to be: players take turns teeing off across a set number of holes, ranging from basic courses t??o more complex ones with different obstacles, layouts, and environments to overcome in search of the green.

Mario Golf: Super Rush (Nintendo Switch)
Developer: Camelot
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: June 25, 2021
MSRP: $59.99

Golfing feels really good in Super Rush. It takes a while to really dial in certain aspects of it, and playing through the single-player campaign can help a lot in that respect. I'd also really recommend using a Pro Controller if possible, and especially the button controls over the motion controls. I'm glad that there are motion controls for some goofy antics, ??but they definitely feel more novel than anything.

Clubs feel distinct, adjusting shots for wind speed and the slope of the green feels great, and overall, I enjoyed my time whenever I was just chipping away across the courses. Each member of the Mario ca??st brings their own talents as well, and I really like the selection. Sure, you've got Mario, Bowser, Peach, and Luigi, but there's also Charging Chuck and King Bob-omb. Those are good, solid cuts from Mario lore. I do wish they had a bit more character to them, as their celebrations (or bouts of depression from a triple bogey) are a little understated, but Super Shots seem to be where that went. Each golfer has their own, with effects ranging from laying down a sheet of ice or smokescreen to transforming other balls into eggs or stars. Golf is more fun when you're not just sinking putts, but ruining your friends' putts too, right?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ePrWcWJm8E

Course selection in Mario Golf: Super Rush is a little slim—the lineup is expected to expand over time post-launch—and while there are some highlights, like a course resembling Bowser's face, some of the courses feel a little more designed for Speed Golf. This version of golf is one of the new play modes, where instead of teleporting to your ball's restin?g place and taking turns, every player run??s around and has to chase after their shots, navigating the course and its hazards in the process.

I don't know that ?I ever r??eally gelled with Speed Golf. It's not a bad addition, but it certainly has some ups and downs. In some cases, it's fun to hold off on a shot until everyone is landing on the green, then smacking them all with a Super Shot and watching them scramble. Or you can Super Dash into someone else on the way to your shot, bumping them around in the scramble for the green. The urgency and chaos is appealing, and there are some neat obstacles to navigate in the process.

That said, Speed Golf can also feel very repetitive, especially due to how often it's employed in the single-player campaign. Frequently, I felt myself falling into a cycle of hitting the ball and dashing to it, without really taking strategy or alternative options into account. It can also make a good shot feel extremely anticlimactic; in one instance, I teed off and was notified that I landed a hole-in-on?e, as I was still walking across the course, no replay or anything.

Battle Golf is a variation of Speed Golf, where everyone plays at the same time, only there are a bunch of flags, greens, and holes littered around a hazard-laden arena. You battle the other players to be the first to three holes sunk, so it's as much about speed as it is precision. It's a bit like the Mario Party of Mario Golf, and while it was fun the first few ?times, I didn't have much desire to go back to it.

The Golf Adventure mode is the single-player campaign, something that's likely to be of interest to folks who dug the Game Boy Mario Golf or, more recently, Golf Story??. The single-player mode definitely takes after those, as a "golf RPG" that sees your Mii traveling between courses, competing with franchise favorites, and completing challenges that aren't j??ust hitting par or better.

While it has some good ideas and?, in some areas, really fun twists on gameplay, it's also short, not too in-depth, and rehashes some of its twists. Your Mii can grow in different areas over time, though by adventure's en??d, you'll probably be fairly maxed out in most respects, and have an arsenal of clubs with different effects, like added spin or making your shots more susceptible to wind.

Some courses will have a timer, where you have a limited amoun??t of time to make it to your ball and hit it again or you'll fail out, or a set amount of time to complete a certain number of holes. The desert area introduces "thirst" as a concept, where if you take too long to golf, you'll run out of?? water and fail. So, two variations on the same essential concept.

The challenges I enjoyed more were ones that got me to rethink how I play, or play in different ways. Batting my golf ball up and down cliff sides using tornadoes was an interesting hurdle to overcome, as was a series of courses where my team would fail if no one managed to hit par. They added a bit more tension and stakes, and forced me to u??se some of the more interesting clubs in my bag, without feeling like another ticking clock. There are some later-in-the-campaign twists that both add a little bit more zaniness to the story and some weird new mechanics, but ultimately it was the challenges of my golfing ability that stuck out the most.

That was my takeaway from Mario Golf: Super Rush as a whole. Some parts of it were some really solid, fun golf, and other parts just felt like they missed the mark. It reminds me a lot of the previous Mario sports game on the Switch, Tennis Aces, where most of my fun was playing against friends in some good ol' fashioned tennis bouts. As is, it's a little slim, with single-player not taking up more than a ??handful of hours to see through, a?nd really only the multiplayer to keep you going beyond that.

It also just needs a bit more Mario charm. Courses range from the sort of hazard-laden, gorgeous links you'd expect from a Mario sports game to underwhelming ventures with a few Mario cosmetics littered about the area. Celebrations are re-used and static. It's missing some of that spark that makes Mario Kart and the older Mario sports games really pop.

Mario Golf: Super Rush is still a fairly solid golf experience, but it will need some of that aforementioned post-launch?? support to match up with previous sports spinoffs for me. It satisfies a craving for some arcade-style golf multiplayer, and I can see myself having some fun playing an 18-hole trek with friends online a few more times. I'm just hoping for some m??ore reasons to keep me coming back.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Uh... birdie?

If you wanted some new, wacky interpretations of golf and other sports today, well, there's been a happy little accident. A big What the Golf Switch update is live, just a little bit early.

As noted on social media and in a press blast sent around today, developer Triband had been working on updating the Nintendo Switch version of What the Golf? with the extra mini-ca??mpaigns and challenge mode already on the Steam and Apple Arcade version. And apparently, the wron??g button got pushed, and it's live a little bit early.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE0o1PDXT8A

To their credit, the team is just rolling with it and the update is just out now. Can't un-sink the putt, so might as well have some fun?? with the accidental press of the big red button.

The What the Golf Switch update includes the Sporty Sports ??Pack, It's Snowtime Pack, and a Challenge mode. These packs were already out o?n the Steam and Apple Arcade versions of the game, but now you can opt to play them on the hybrid console.

What the Golf? is essentially a goofy, bizarre interpretation of what "golf" means, where everything can be golf. Everything. It's a lot of fun, and with the new update live on a console I can play on my couch (aside from iOS, as I'm an Android owner), it might be time to once again truly ponder, what is golf?

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I'm gonna pay you $100 to screw off

Mario Golf: Super Rush, like many golf games, has been polarizing so far. Camelot is still doing their thing making endless sports games for Nintendo (and not Golden Sun), but this recent video from Redditor Castor_volk has me looki??ng twice at this Toad AI. Simply amaz?ing stuff.

In the clip we see the player as Rosalina sink a birdie. But AI Toad, not content with going for an easy eagle putt, decides to turn around and smack the ball the other way with a driver, Happy Gilmore style. Then they smack it back, after safely knowing that their human opponen?t sunk it in: agonizingly, the clip stops before we find out if they hit it in with their approach wedge (AW).

This is entering "Toad was paid off" territory, to the likes of which AI doesn't typically stoop to. It's both frustr?ating to see and amazing to watch.

It also made me ponder all of the times that the AI maybe let me win. But I was quickly sated by recalling every time that the AI absolutely cheated, so it balanced out. Watching AI breakdowns is a great way to spend an entire day!

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A platformer-adventure golf game with chill vibes

I don't know what it is about golf in particular that gets indie developers' creative juices flowing compared to other sports, but I'm into it. Golf Club: Wasteland is one of those genre-stretching games that can speak to non-golf-lovers just as much as enthusi?asts.

It's a look into wh??at would happen if Earth was rid of pesky humanity and the planet becam??e a golf course for the surviving "ultra-rich" on Mars �and it's very pretty.

//youtu.be/b7-0sJPMtQo

Aside from taking in the tragically beautiful sights of an abandoned world in the main Story mode, Golf Club: Wasteland also has a more m?ethodica??l Challenge mode �where you'll aim for at least par �and a stressful Iron mode "where there's almost zero room for error."

Announced this week, the game is coming to PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this August from Untold Ta?les and devel??oper Demagog Studio.

We'll be able to demo Golf Club: Wasteland on PC once the Steam Next Fest begins on June 16, 2021. There's also an (already releas??ed) iOS and Android version out there, too.

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A lot more than just standard golf

The Mario sports spin-offs have always taken a broader, zanier approach to their respective athletic past-times. In the latest trailer for the upcoming Mario Golf: Super Rush, it definitely see??ms like the trend is carrying forward, with a ?surprising number of modes to boot.

Today's trailer showcases some of the modes included in Super Rush, both multiplayer and single-player. On the competitive side, we've already seen Speed Golf, the fast-paced race to the finish where golfers can use special abilities to get ahead. Battle Golf is one step further: a Speed Golf variant with multiple holes to capture, in an almost Mario Kart-like battle arena.

Of course, there's still standard golf with a host of quality-of-life features. Mario Golf: Super Rush will also have a solo mode called Golf Adventure, where pl??ayers can take their Mii through the ranks at a country club, completing a variety of challenges and leveling up in the?? process.

As someone who bounced off Mario Tennis Aces after a week or so, I'm eagerly looking forward to this one. The single-player side seems like it's got some interesting challenges to hold the player's attention, and I am all about the bonkers battle modes. I'm really just here for the incredibly good golf attire—did you see Bowser's visor?—but it looks like Mario Golf: Super Rush is gearing up to bring some more good golfin' to the Switch on Ju?ne 25.

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You have selected POWER DRIVE

Electronic Arts has announced that it is currently developing a new PGA Tour golf title for release on next-gen platforms. The new game is being developed at EA Tiburon, who are the team behind the million-dollar Madden franchise.

Speaking in a lengthy blog post on the PGA Tour website, it was revealed that EA Sports PGA Tour will become the "home of championship golf" and will allow fairway friends to?? build a custom career and experience the thrills of?? the entire PGA season including the PGA Tour, The Players Championship, and the FedExCup Playoffs. The new title promises multiple real-life courses and a selection of world-renowned professional players.

"We've partnered with EA Sports to bring immersive golf video game experiences to fans of all ages for years," said PGA Tour Chief Legal Officer Len Brown. "We are thrilled to continue working with EA Sports on?? its golf franchise to authentically represent the PGA Tour for the next generation. The newest game will give golf fans another way to experience their favorite sport, or to discover their passion for it."

More info?rmation, including platforms and a release date, will be r??evealed "in the coming weeks."

Coming soon. 🎮👀

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, a new next-gen golf game.

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 29, 2021

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Story mode?!

The Nintendo Switch?? has? been missing some good golf games, but that's going to change this summer. 

There is a lot here to be excited about beyond just getting a new entry in Nintendo's best Mario sports franchise. Mario Golf: Super Rush will include motion controls for anyone who still has fond memories of playing golf in Wii Sports. There are also new tools to help you gauge your shot and figure out the terrain?? of each hole.

Perhaps most exciting is the return of a story mode. Play as your Mii and level up as you challenge and interact with the heroes and villains of the Mushroom Kingdom. If you're confident with your Mii, you can take them into multipla??yer mode as well.

Speaking of multiplayer, Speed Golf looks like an outstanding addition to the franchise. In this competitive mode, you race against other pla??yers to be the first to knock your ball into the hole. Power-ups will help give you the advantage, but the better shot you are, the better chance you'll have to emerge the victor.

Mario Golf: Super Rush will launch on June 25 for Nintendo Switch.

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It would be a hole-in-one

It's a great tragedy that with the unstoppable success of the Nintendo Switch, we haven't seen hide nor hair of Mario Golf on the hardware. Mario Tennis&nbs??p;made a decent enough comeback following its severe stumble on the Wii U, but there hasn't been a peep out of Nintendo or Camelot Software about Mario's return to the links.

Its absence has been noticed throughout the pandemic. Since I went into work-from-home mode -- or as it's better known, trapped-at-home mode -- I've been putting in some time on the greens with my 3DS and Mario Gold: World Tour. But even with all the purchased DLC, I've been feeling the urge to move onto something new. Maybe that's why I fell so hard for Birdie Crush this past week.

From developer Com2uS, Birdie Crush is a new, free-to-play?? golf game now available in North America for iOS and Android. It's billed as a "fantasy golf" title, and to sell that concept, you'll participate in a short hole-in-one challenge as a witch while you download the game. Beyond that, the fantasy elements are quite light. You play as a quartet of golf?ers who are students at the Delion Bridge Golf Academy, where they compete in various tournaments. Each character has their own backstory, but if you're just in this to golf, you can easily skip through the dialogue.

If you're wary about downloading another free-to-play gacha game, know that Birdie Crush is loaded with ways you can pour a disgust??ing amount of money into the app. There are a wide variety of packages available that'll load you up with coins and crystals for gacha pulls or new costume parts that range from 99¢ to $99. If you don't want to wait to collect all the pieces of a costume, there are some you can buy outright for $45. And because every game has to have one now, there is a season pass for purchase as well. The game is very in-your-face about its spending options, and you can expect to run into many ads.

So far, those ads haven't really bothered me as the golfing here is really quite good. It uses a simplified version of what you find in Mario Golf or Everybody's Golf. Tap the screen, and you'll zoom out to the green where you can set where you want your ball to land, based on your available equipment and power. When you're ready to swing, you tap the button to get the cursor moving and tap it again as close to the center of the swing zone as you can. The m?ore you level up your equipment, the larger the center of that zone will become, and the more likely you'll be to land those perfect shots. Putting is even easier as you really only have to worry about lining up your shot with the sloping terrain.

It can often feel as though Birdie Crush?? is simultaneously overstuffed and severely lacking content. In terms of just straight golfing, there are different tournaments to play, events, grade matches aga??inst other players, team matches, and casually playing with your registered friends. As bountiful as that might sound, most modes limit you to just three holes at a time, and it can grow repetitive in the early hours as you'll continually play the same handful of holes.

Beyond that ?is a bunch of additi??onal features I didn't really care for, including a board game challenge map and the different buildings of the Golf Academy you're supposed to unlock. It can seem like unnecessary busy-work, but I guess it did keep me playing day in and day out.

Look, I know a game that's as grossly monetized as this one probably isn't worth spreading the word about, but the gameplay is so warmly familiar that I sink right in every time I open the app. It's the perfect title to unwind with after work, and it's beautiful too, running incredibly smoothly on my Google Pixel 3a, even if it does devour the battery. Make no mistake, I will delete this off my phone in a heartbeat if Nintendo releases a new Mario Golf, but until that happens, Birdie Crush has proven itself more than capable of scratch??ing that golf itch.

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A chaotic and fun collection of 'sports'-related mini-games

I know some of you are still subscribed to Apple Arcade (hopefully not unintentionally!), but for me, the subscription service feels like a fever dream in 2020. Did I really play What the Golf? over a ?year ago? I did. I loved it, and ??I think the iPhone was a great fit for the silly sports spoof game, but I've moved on.

My three favorite Apple Arcade titles – What the Golf?, Shinsekai: Into the Depths, and Grindstone – have either branched out to other platforms ??or are planning to (in t??he case of Capybara's puzzle gem).

This week, Triband brought What the Golf? to Steam, and if that? doesn't sound enticing enough on its ?own, maybe the level editor will. The anything-goes nature of this game is ideal for custom stages.

Oh no!🙀 Pretty sure this is gonna go wrong💥
We've been working on a Level Editor for WHAT THE GOLF?⛳

Also, it's finally out on STEAM: //t.co/Z9kNbHS7tf pic.twitter.com/EheGZFQGHd

— Tim Garbos (@timgarbos) October 22, 2020

"We've received so many level ideas from the community and our inbox is now full of them... so now there's a level editor," said Triband co-founder Tim Garbos. The level editor is in "early access alpha beta preview" (hah) and the game's Discord is ready and wa?iting for feedback from intrepid creators.

It's also worth noting that the Steam version comes with the bonus Sporty Sports levels if you missed them. What the Golf? will ????typically cost $20, but with a launch-week discount, it's down to $13.99.

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The Sporty Sports Special update is live on Apple Arcade

Triband took the gameplay-as-comedy premise of What the Golf? to its (il)logical extreme, but the team hasn't run out of outlandish ideas for golf at its most abstract. The Apple Arcade version of What the Golf? got a Sporty Sports Special upda?te today with 30 extra track-and-field-themed levels.

In retrospect, archery golf? seems like a no-brainer. It's the sport of champions.

Today's Apple Arcade update also includes faster load times, performance improvements, and a "Golf Menu 2.1 with enhanced GPS (Golf Positioning Service)" to help you explore the overworld. There's no word on an equivalent update for Nintendo Switch and PC other than "maybe...if people like it."

Even if you're not an Apple Arcade subscriber (and even if you skipped What the Golf? altogether), you've gotta hear to the c??atchy song in the trailer. I'm? tempted, but I don't think I'll renew just for these levels.

The post What the Golf? is back with 30 silly new levels appeared first on Destructoid.

Tigers, woods -- it's all here

In today's contest you can win a PC or Switch copy of What The Golf?!

Weird games! I love 'em. Normal is for boring jerks who have regular, important things to do. Not I, said the walrus ??-- I'm too busy trying to see how many hot dogs I can fit into a light soc?ket. You know, the interesting stuff.

Speaking of hot dogs and interesting stuff, we snatched a few copies of Very Serious Golf Simulator What the Golf? to give away so you, too can? experience a little weird in your life!

I'm not going to say much about this one. It's a golf game, in the way that Pennywise is a circus clown. You do some golf-y things, but not really. Oh, also it just came to Switch and now has a local two-player mode, so there's that! Look, just watch the trailer and determine whether or not you'd like to play it, because no words I use a??re going to sway you.

Ok, you in? Good. Comment below telling me what the golf, and you could win a copy! Make sure you also specify whether you'd like a Switch or PC copy. If you don't do that, I won't know which to enter you in and then you can't win because life is already complicated enough without me having to c??hase everyone down who can't follow simple instructions. It's early and I'm cranky, ok?!

We have three Switch NA and five PC copies (via Epic Games Store, please don't complain -- it's free) to give away; winners will be drawn Wednesday, May 27. Make sure to comment using a Dtoid account with your current email address on file. New to the site? Sign up here and let's what the golf together!

What the Golf? is available now for Switch and PC. We've got some more keys available over at PC Invasion, so check 'em out!

The post Contest: Let’s all hate golf together with a Switch or PC copy of What the Golf? appeared first on Destructoid.

You have selected 'POWER DRIVE'

Time to iron that crease in your slacks, dust off that visor, and prepare to call into work with a poorly performed fake cough, as publisher 2K Games has announced that PGA Tour 2K21 will be hitting the links on PS4, PC, Xb??ox One and Stad?ia August 21.

PGA Tour 2K21 is the first PGA series entry since The Golf Club 2019?? and promises to be an engaging and realistic simulation of top golfing action. 15 official PGA Tour courses have been scanned and meticulously recreated in-game, while the built-in Course Designer will let you construct your own fairway. I hope it has those little windmills where you have to putt between the blades.

After creating their own custom golfer via the MyPLAYER character designer, players will face off against 12 of the sport's top pro's, including cover star Justin Thomas.? A whole host of popular brands have been licensed to provide authentic equipment and clothing for your perusal, including Adidas, Polo Ralph Lauren, Malbon Golf, Callaway Golf, Bridgestone Golf, and TaylorMade Golf. So at least you'll always look class, even in the rough.

PGA Tour 2K21 has been designed with all players in mind, and features numerous tutorials, guides, and training modes for beginners, with complex and in-depth systems for series veterans, including Pro Vision??, Distance Control, and Putt Preview. Online play will offer the option of forming "Societies", which will allow players to group together for full-season tournaments, with custom handicap settings and other options. Authentic TV-style presentation is capped off with play-b??y-play from PGA announcers Luke Elvy and Rich Beem.

Finally, players who pre-order PGA Tour 2K21 from today will bag themselves an exclusive in-game "2K/Adidas CODECHAOS MyP?LAYER Pack", which includes CODEC??HAOS BOA golf shoes and custom 2K/Adidas gear, designed specifically for the game. Snazzy.

PGA Tour 2K21 launches on PS4, PC, Xbox?? One, and Stadia August 21.

The post PGA Tour 2K21 coming to PC and consoles August 21 appeared first on Destructoid.

Watch out for gophers

Triband's great "Golf game for people who hate golf" - What the Golf? - is finally ready to tee off on Ninte??ndo Switch. The loopy links will be available to download from the Nintendo eShop on May 21, ??priced at around $20.

Originally released on PC and Apple Arcade in September of 2019, What the Golf? is a silly and cartoonish take on the sport beloved by rich folk, '90s business guys, and irresponsible world leaders. Completely absurdist by design, What the Golf? tasks players with completing a series of barely-golfing-related courses, such as throwing a carpet down a bowling alley, helping a strongman pick up his weights, or sniping peop??le atop a skyscraper, all made possible by the game's bizarre physics and (frightening) imagination. Wanna drive a car on the green? Go for it! Maybe take a horse diving instead? Sure!

An all-new Party Mode will feature all your favourite characters, like "Burger Bird" and "Toaster," and will allow two players to tackle courses simultaneously, which sounds like a recipe for disaster. The Nintendo Switch port has been optimised for the hybrid console, integrating its touch-screen and gyro controls. If you're dying to play a golf game that has as little do?? with golf as is humanly possible, then be sure to give this ridiculous title a look when it arrives late next w??eek.

What the Golf? launches on N??intendo Switch May 21. It is available now on PC an?d Apple Arcade.

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Fore-play

2K Games has dropped a teaser trailer for the next release its PGA Tour 2K line of golf simulators. PGA Tour 2K21 will be the first series entry since 2018 release The Golf Club 2019?, which suggests a rebranding of sorts for the franchise.

The trailer has little to offer, some nice greenery and some dude taking a swing while an audience looks on, all? backed by bland "works for any sports trailer" music. But fans won't have much longer to wait for the details, as 2K Games is planning a full reveal of the new title on May 14. So polish up your nine-wood and prepare to hide out on the links, instead of facing up to responsibilities and/or job.

PGA Tour 2K21 is currently in development at HB Studios.

The post PGA Tour 2K21 teased, full reveal coming May 14 appeared first on Destructoid.

The game is also coming to PS4 and Xbox One this year

Golf With Your Friends is one of those surprisingly popular Steam games you don't often hear about in casual?? conversation. The 12-player minigolf game has been doing its thing in Early Access since 2016, but now i??t's gearing up for a full launch on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this year.

This game looks fun, plain and simple. There's no-frills putting, zanier modes like Hockey and Hoops, a range of plain and out-there courses (12 in total), power-ups like sticky ?honey trails, and a level editor.

Golf With Your Friends is exactly the kind of approachable?, just-wild-enough minigolf experience I've been craving on Switch – something I can unwind with and have a few laughs over. Know what I mean?

The console ports and final, out-of-Early-Access PC version wi?ll launch in Q2 2?020.

The post I’m weirdly pumped for Golf With Your Friends on Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

After laughter comes tears

Twenty-nineteen was a hectic year for me. I’??m a 32-year-old full-time college student, and I jus?t wrapped up my first semester at a four-year university, chasing after that ever-elusive bachelor’s degree. Obviously, this impacted the way I play games, but I was surprised to look back at just how many I actually got to experience.

Apple Arcade, in particular, ended up becoming a huge boon and fit in really nicely with my busy lifestyle. I don’t have a ton of disposable income, but I can still swing five dollars a month. I’m broke, but I ain’t that broke.

Anyways, that’s enough about me. Oh, wait, my name is literally in the title of this article. This is actually all about m?e. These are the games that I, with all of my worldly wisdom, have deemed most excellent a??nd worth your time.

5. Apex Legends­

Like many of our readers here, I was initially a bit peeved that this wasn’t Titanfall 3. However, I very quickly stopped caring because Apex Legends ended u??p being one of my favorite multiplayer games in ages. It had a rough start with? Season One, but the core gameplay was good enough to keep me coming back.

We’re now in Season Three, and Respawn has ironed out most of the initial hiccups and turned this into a franchise to be reckoned with. There’s a bit of a learning curve when first jumping in, but it’s still immensely satisfying to see “Champion” come across th?e screen after whittling through the competition.

4. Guildlings

This one went under the radar of quite a few folks, but it’s a really adorable story that goes to some very interesting places. The introduction, in particular, hammers home just how different this game is from your typical mobile excursions. It’s equal parts fantasy and science fiction, and it kept me glued to the screen from start to finish. If you’re subscribed to Apple Arcade, don’t miss out on Guildlings.

3. Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard

Look, I am never going to shut up about the Frog Detective series. The quickest way to get ??me to stop is to just play the damn thing already. It’s cheap, each episode is only about an hour-long, and? it will make you laugh a bunch. Or else. *Cocks gun*

2. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

This was my first entry into the Fire Emblem series, and despite my initial reservations, it ended up being my most played game of the year. A lot of that had to do w??ith the fact that it took me over 100 hours to finish my first playthrough. Maybe it’s Stockholm syndrome? Maybe it’s love? Maybe it’s M?aybelline?

All I know for certain ??is that Black Eagles is best house and Edelgard did nothing wrong.

1. What The Golf?

This game brought me an absurd amount of joy. I beat it at launch, and just recently went back through it again to go for the 100% completion fr??om scratch. It is that good.

What The Golf? made me smile a whole lot throughout both playthroughs, but the homages to other games, and the way it liberally borrowed mech??anics from them, added up to something really unique and special. It led to a feeling of “everything is fair game, and nothing is off-limits” that I hadn’t seen from the industry in a long time.

There’s a spark of creativity here that reminded me of being a little kid, hearing a new word and then imagining what it could possibly mean. It’s goofy, abstract, and it takes a lot of risks that pay off in a big way by the time you reach the final? boss fight.

Honorable Mentions:

The Outer Worlds

I’m still in my first playthrough, as I just received it as a gift for Christmas, but it’s hitting all the right notes for me so far. I’m only about twenty hours deep, and despit??e the long load times on a base PS4, I already love it. The scenery is gorgeous?, and I’m really digging the combat.

Hanging out in space with my drinking buddy Parvati, making plenty of morally questionable decisions and stealing every single? item I can, has proven to be a great way to pass the time.

Scoob and Shag 

This isn’t a video game, but it is probably the most memorable piece of media I’ve encountered all year. Our very own Mike Sounders introduced me to it, and I owe him a ?great debt.

Scoob and Shag is a webcomic that starts out as a handful of goofy, one-off jokes and slowly morphs into straight-up body horror. After about 20 to 30 issues, it shows its hand and proves to actually be a full-on shonen (a la Dragon Ball Z or My Hero Academia) starring characters like Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Mickey Mo??use, Patrick Star, Popeye, and just abo??ut every other major cartoon from the last 50 years.

It doesn’t even bother telling jokes at this point in the story, and Dingo, the creator, has been stepping up his delivery with each new issue. If you haven’t hopped on the Scoob and Shag train just yet, I highly recommend it.

The post Kevin Mersereau’s favorite games from 2019 appeared first on Destructoid.

Are you too good for your home?

What the Golf? is as good as I hoped it'd be, which is to say, "very." I'm hones??tly relieved!

The game takes an otherworldly view of golf, twisting and turning a basic premise in increasingly outlandish ways not unlike something out of WarioWare. It's funny – and, crucially, fun.

There's no shortage of over-the-top silly games out there that are far more amusing in theory than they are in practice, and thankfully, What the Golf? avoids falling in with that crowd. The pace is always bounding from one surprise to the next. By the time you catch up, it's already onto the next joke.

What the Golf? (iOS [reviewed], Mac, PC, Nintendo Switch)
Developer: Triband
Publisher: Triband
Released: September 19, 2019 (Apple Arcade) / October 1, 2019 (PC) / TBA 2019 (Switch)
MSRP: Part of Apple Arcade ($4.99 a month) / $19.99 (PC, Switch)

If you've seen any of the trailers or gifs, you're pretty much up to speed. What starts as a simple exercise in golf quickly devolves into chaos. Suddenly, your golf ball isn't a bal??l at all??, but rather, a house. Or a horse. Or a car caught up in a race. Or a cowboy hat that needs to be flung into bowling pins.

Most of the time, you can't even be sure what will happen when you take that first swing. Som??e levels are played in portrait mode, others are presented in landscape like a side-scrolling platformer, and certain stages are straight-up first-person shooters with gyro aiming. Again, this game goes places.

To keep things semi-grounded, the controls are consistent across more or less every level – you aim and determine the power of your stroke just like pulling back on a slingshot. It's simple, it's precise, and it feels great. What the Golf? works best with one-finger touch controls, but there's controller support, too. I had decent enough results using a DualShock 4, so if you're skimming this review ahead of the g??ame's release on other platforms like PC and Nintendo Switch, you shouldn't be concerned.

What the Golf? never seems to sit still or dwell on any one idea for too long, and that's where its magic lies. My biggest concern going in was that there would be duds, and while there are a few missteps, the sheer number of unique concepts is astounding. Even riffs on well-established games like Katamari Damacy, Super Meat Boy, Superhot, Portal, and Guitar Hero end up feeling original in their own way.

My other pleasant surprise? The presentation. It real??ly ties the whole game together.

If What the Golf? was a stitched-together collection of one-off gags, that would've been fine, if a bit underwhelming. But it's not! There's a charming, cohesive overworld to explore, complete with different themes for each zone and Arkanoid-es??que boss battles. It's inherently enjoyable to just putt around as ??you move from area to area. I'm also happy there's some non-linearity to the level selection.

Levels are unlocked in groups, so if you get stuck, you can try your luck elsewhere. And the developers smartly decided to set aside the most challenging goals – like getting par or a hole-in-one – as optional objectives. That design choice keeps the game flowi??ng and feeling ??breezy, which is perfect for mobile.

You're likely also wondering about the length. While I wasn't keeping exact track, I can offer an estimate. (Funny enough, there's an in-game counter, but mine's busted.) It took me a good couple of hours to beat What the Golf?, then I spent another couple of hours working back through the optional objectives, and I?? bet I still need at least one mor?e hour to get most of the way there. Hitting 100% will be tough.

If you can make use of the one-month free trial for Apple Arcade, this game should be a no-brainer. It's among the most fun I've had on my phone in ages. If you're considering the pricier console or PC version of What the Golf?, well, just go with your gut. If this looks amusing to you, it probably? will be.

_{[This review is based on a retail build?? of the game through an Apple Arcade subscription purchased by the reviewer.]}

The post Review: What the Golf? appeared first on Destructoid.

It's all in the hips

The PlayStation 5 may be looming on the horizon, but that doesn't mean Sony is done supporting PlayStation VR. Even as someone who bought the headset at launch, I'm as surprised as anyone to see new games continue to pop up. The 2019 release schedule is fuller than I ever would've imagined.

One title I've been eager to try out for myself this year is Everybody's Golf VR, a slightly more realistic first-person take on the classic arcade golf series. It's not a one-to-one literal translation of Hot Shots Golf into the realm of virtual reality, and for the most part, that's a good thing. The experience feels comfortably on-brand yet distinct enoug?h to justify its existence as a smaller-scale standalone proj??ect.

After running through the tutorials in Everybody's Golf VR, my first mental note for this review was a phrase to sum up how it felt to smack golf balls in VR: "satisfying as shit." They sure nailed it.

Everybody's Golf VR (PlayStation VR [reviewed with a PS4 Pro])
Developer: Clap Hanz, Smile Connect E!, Japan Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: May 21, 2019
MSRP: $29.99

And really, that's the most important part of this upbeat golf game: that feeling when you do your due diligence, line up your ideal angle, swing just hard enough that you don't quite lose control, and watch in mild dread until you can confirm that the ball landed more or less where you intended. While Everybody's Golf VR has a few setbacks, the act of go?lfing isn't one of them. It's wonderfully cathartic.

Instead of the traditional multi-click swinging where you time button presses to get the ball across the course, here, you're dealing with physicality. Whether you play with a DualShock 4 (better suited for seated play) or a single PlayStation Move (ideal for standing), you'll rely on motion controls. Imagine a club extending out of your controller of choice and you've pretty much got the idea. Posture matters, as does the speed and a??ngle of your swing. There's more of a learning curve, but the system works as you'd expect, and given the controller-tracking hardware involved, I mean that as a big compliment.

Much like in real life, I'm consistent enough with drivers and putters, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around wedges. Part of it stems from impatience. If I took my time, I'd do a hell of a lot better. Everybody's Golf VR wants to help; it cleverly leans into practice runs. You can take as many test swings as you'd like to get your form down pat, and the game will show you not only when and where your swing deviated, but how the point of impact wil?l affect the ball's flight plan. It's never a mystery.

There's a balance to strike between going all out with your entire body (especially with a PlayStation Move) versus taking a safer, more measured stroke mainly using your wrists. Everybody's Golf VR is at its most enjoyable when you're essentially recreating real-world maneuvers, but that approach isn't always conducive to topping the scoreboard?. I'd rather play like a bit of a madman, personally.

Then there's the caddies. They mean well – I'm sure they do – but they tend to talk your ear off. At best, they're vaguely helpful background noise to keep you company while you do your thing. At worst, they'll spout off the same reassuring lines even when your ball is clearly destined to go out of bounds and take you on little mid-course excursions that are more like cutscenes than anything else. (Graciously, you can skip these segments.) I get what Clap Hanz was going for – chilling with your caddie in virtual reality sounds entertaining on paper – but the chara??cters are uncannily one-dimensional. It's a shame.

I wasn't expecting that to be my main complaint given that Everybody's Golf VR only has three full courses, a number that would feel sparse in any other golf game. Another mid-tier course would've been appreciated, don?'t get me wrong, but three feels like enough. The slower pace of the game and its up-close-and-personal nature make that work, plus there's a driving range and putting green. It's something you're meant to keep coming back to rather than zip through just the once. As an added incentive, there's a basic unlock system for attaining? new outfits, clubs, and course options.

In other words, the price is about right. You can get a feel for Everybody's Golf VR in a few short hours, but if y??ou're anything like me, you won't want to move on quite so fast. It's an earworm of a game. Just thinking about it makes me want to dig out my PlayStation VR and clear the room. That's no small feat.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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EDF saves the day!

Microsoft has announced the May 2019 line-up for its "Games With Gold" selection and it's all over the place. I understand not every month can be a banger, but this is an exceptionally odd collection of games. Each game?? is from a different genre and their release dates span an entire decade. I can'??t even detect a common theme between these titles, other than being lesser known games.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon is the clear winner here, but Comic Jumper is supposedly pretty good. I have no idea what Marooners is, but The Golf Club 2019 is not worth your time. While the game is in a better place than when I reviewed it last year, it still hasn't fixed problems inherent to its design. Hitting the ball with any kind of accuracy is a c?rapshoot and the lack of progr?ession really limits the appeal of its "career" mode.

Stil?l, I guess there is some fun to be had?? here. It's just a big step down from previous months.

Xbox One

• Marooners - May 1 - May 31
• The Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA Tour - May 16 - June 15

Xbox 360 (Backward Compatible on Xbox One)

• Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon - May 1 - May 15
• Comic Jumper - May 16 - May 31

Xbox Live Games With Gold For May 2019 [Major Nelson]

The post May’s Games With Gold selection is all over the place appeared first on Destructoid.

Launching May 21 for PlayStation VR

One of my favorite parts of virtual reality gaming is being able to inhabit a place and just... exist for a bit. Sometimes, that means being chased around a decrepit house by a charismatic madman. Other times, I want to get lost in a Tetris-induced trance and have my surroundings melt away. Thinking of other places I'd like to visit in the near future, the upbeat world of Everybody's Golf ranks pretty high.

SIE Japan Studio and Clap Hanz have shared new details about Everybody's Golf VR, a spin-off game coming to PS4 on May 21, 2019. The idea wasn't to make it a strict simulation, but rather "something that players could easily enjoy." You'll swing awa?y with either a DualShock 4 or a single PlayStation Move controller, and as a first for the series, there will b??e a practice ground for warming up.

If you're wondering about that balancing-act screenshot, Everybody's Golf VR puts caddies in "random events" between rounds. "We thought that VR created a unique opport??unity to interact with them and hope that these events provide a fun little break between holes," said associate producer Reina Araki.

I'm?? a little skeptical about there being only three courses, but I like that there's a driving range and if they're well made, I'll take quality over quantity any day. That, and $30 isn't a huge ask.

Everybody's Go??lf?? Tees Off in PlayStation VR May 21st [PlayStation Blog]

The post Everybody’s Golf VR could easily be my next go-to unwinding game appeared first on Destructoid.

What is that peanut guy?

Golf is a very deceptive sport. While many people ??will bemoan how "boring" it is, they're only looking at it from the viewpoint of a spectator. Actually picking up a club and swinging at a ball will show you just how much technique goes into perfecting your shot. You need to understand the weight of your gear, the arc of your shots, the wind resistance of the course, and account for the shapes of the greens. It can sometimes feel like a giant puzzle.

That's what makes a game like Golf Peaks feel so natural. This is an idea so obvious, it's a real s?urprise it hasn't happened before. Golf requires careful thought and planning, so why not mix that with a puzzle game? While you might be l?osing all of the club selection and execution of technique, what you're gaining is a title that captures the essence of golf in bite-sized chunks that anyone can dig into.

Golf Peaks (Android, iOS, PC, Switch [Reviewed])
Developer: Afterburn
Publisher: Afterburn (Mobile, PC), 7Levels (Switch)
Release Date: November 13, 2018 (Mobile, PC), March 14, 2019 (Switch)
MSRP: $2.99 (Mobile), $4.99 (PC, Switch)

Explaining Golf Peaks is actually quite a bit harder than simply playing it. It's a mixture of the aesthetics of golf with a card-based puzzle platformer. Levels introduce concepts that get iterated on for multiple levels before culminating in a final challenge. Each world (there?? are nine) focuses on something ne?w and constantly tasks your mind with figuring out which shots you need to reach the hole.

The shots you have available are pre-determined on each hole, so you can't simply shoot your ball straight at the goal. You'll need to carefully assess the grounds, make sure you're compensating for obstacles, and ensure your final shot won't overshoot the hole. It perfectly encapsulates the various parameters that go into every shot of golf while focusing more on level?? design instead of skill execution.

Being set in a fictional environment allows Golf Peaks the opportunity to create some bizarre greens. Everything is placed on a grid system, but you'll see various slopes, water hazards, jump pads, boost pads, and tiered platforms. These aren't the flat plains of real golf, but more like something you'd see in a Mario title. The isometric viewpoint does limit the possibilities a little, but it ??also d?oesn't obscure obstacles from your view.

On the Switch port, you control the game with the Joy-Con or via the touch screen. Since Golf Peaks was originally a mobile game, it only makes sense that the original control scheme would be carried over. You can’t detach the Joy-Con and play in portrait mode, but you are given docked play. The physical controls work perfec?tly fine and it's nice to have a massive view of the playing field. You can call a friend over if you get stumped, which is certainly usef??ul.

As for how the game progresses, it is basically the Jonathan Blow formula set forth by Braid. Worlds don't radically alter the controls, but you'll have to contend with different variables on each hole. The theme of each area changes, and it blends with the concept that's spotlighted. For instance, an ice world has a blue color scheme. It makes the levels feel distinct and has a natu??ral difficulty curve that is mostly well-executed. For some reason, World Seven is the hardest, yet there are still a bunch of levels after the game maxes its difficulty out.

Once you finish the main nine levels presented in each world, the game will seamlessly push you onto the next world. If you back out to the menu, you'll find three bonus challenges that sometimes mix l?ater concepts into the current level. There isn't some stipulation to unlocking these levels apart from completing the current world, which does feel like a missed opportunity for bonus content.

What I mean is that some of the holes have multiple solutions to them. While there is clearly one path the developers meant for you to take?, you can occasionally complete courses in fewer shots than you're allotted. I'm convinced that all these options are intentional misdirection on some levels, but I've also replayed levels where I've not utilized each option and managed to finish them while burning through pointless shots. I feel there could have been a better reward for finding the most efficient path through a ?level, which would make replaying individual holes feel more rewarding.

That’s really my only?? complaint, tthough. There are 109 levels (one is a bonus in the credits) and figuring out how to finish them doesn't take that long. I’m not saying there needs to be 100 more or anything, but locking those bonus levels behind alternate paths would have given players a reason to revisit levels and perfect their game, much like real golfers.

I suppose the mobile roots of this game explains why the levels are so small and easily digestible. This was something meant to be played in quick spurts instead of plowed through in a single sitting. It's not like you'll be missing out on anything by doing so, but I'm not sure the Switch is the best platform for Golf Peaks. It does retain that portability factor, but it also costs a few dollars more than its mobile c?ounterpar??t.

Still, $5 for a solid puzzle game with an interesting spin on golf is hardly what I'd call a bad deal. Unless you simply do not enjoy puzzle games, you're bound to have some degree of fun with Golf Peaks. Being a fan of golf will help, but anyone with a penchant for wor?king through various puzzles will have a good time here.

Now I just wish?? I understood what that weird nut thing from the promotional materials is. Is he a golf caddie or Mr. Peanut's hippie cousin?

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Golf Peaks appeared first on Destructoid.

Fore!

Puzzle me this with today's contest for Golf Peaks for Switch.

Golf itself is stupid, but I've always enjoyed golf video games. Weird, r?ight? It's like, I can drink as much at home playing virtual golf as I would on a real golf course, for like 1/20 o??f the cost. And no one asks me to leave!

Except my ex wife.

Uh, anyway, win a Switch copy of Golf Peaks!

Ok read this description first. It's in ?my contract.

No understanding of golf is required – just grab your controllers and conquer the mountain peaks by making your way to the hole, however not in the usual skill-shot based style. Instead, plan your strategy and use action cards to move the ball! Solve over 100 enjoyable yet cha?llenging puzzles accompanied by relaxing music and minimalist, eye-pleasing graphics and conquer the summits!

The title uniquely combines entertaining logic-game mechanics with a?n easy-to-learn card-based movement system, providing the player with numerous action cards. The minimalist visuals accompanied by a relaxing soundtrack makes Golf Peaks a mind-soothing experience!

Ok?, did you read th??at? I'm in the clear. So, this image is on the eShop page:

What the fuck is that? What's driving that golf cart? That's what I want to know. Tell us what the fuck that thing is. Why is it driving that cart? Does it have?? a driver's license? What is it doing on Earth? Tell us below. That's how you enter this contest. 

We have three Switch keys to give out. They're for North American eShop accounts, only. Winners will be drawn on Thursday, March 14. Make sure you comment using a Dtoid account with your current email address on file. New users can sign up here to opine on what the shit that thing is. I s??urely don't know.

Golf Peaks will be available on Nintendo Switch on March 14. Head over to Ninten??do ??Enthusiast for more chances to win.

The post Contest: Win a Switch copy of Golf Peaks appeared first on Destructoid.