shots
| Links 2004 XBox review | |
| developer | Microsoft Game Studios |
| publisher | Microsoft Game Studios |
| author | Chris O'Regan |
| date | Dec. 17, 2003 |
| graphics |   |
| sound | |
| gameplay | |
| value | |
| reviewer's toast | |
| overall | |
|
|
Chromehounds
NA Review by Marcin
Oblivion-The First 3 Hours
PC Quicktake by walTer
Comic Quick Takes January 25, 2006
Feature by Mike
Mark Twain has often been quoted as saying 'Golf is a good walk ruined'. For this reviewer such sentiments will find sympathetic ears, at least as the far as the real game is concerned. Watching it on TV is even worse as it's like watching hours and hours of televised sky as Jasper Carrot (an English comedian) once said.
Despite all of this the video game interpretation of the sport has generally been quite entertaining, mainly because it is so well-suited to the medium. Think about it. There are so many games that take the key point of the sport - getting a shot in on target - that golf is bound to be perfect for video games. Still don't believe me? Then take 'Worms' for example. You elevate your shot, try to predict where it will hit and fire. Golf is the same...only without the explosions...and comedy sheep...oh all right then maybe the odd one.
Welcome to an exciting new world of sports...so long as you're American
Links 2004 is the latest incarnation of the Links golf sim series from Microsoft. Normally found on the PC, this latest edition has found itself on the behemoth Xbox console as part of the XSN Sports series of games. This series of games allows players to create their own leagues and tournaments online all of which is handled via a web site linked to Xbox Live! Just as a side note the range of 'sports' represented in XSN are all rather US centric. There are no soccer, rugby or cricket games but there are American football, basket ball, tennis, ice hockey and even snow boarding games. Now I can forgive the omission of rugby and cricket as these are sports only played by Commonwealth countries which the US is not part of, but to omit soccer is a travesty! Anyway, enough of that, let's get back to the game...
Hit the ball with the golf bat
The primary aim of golf, for those of you who don't know, is to hit a small ball with a stick up a field until it falls into a hole at the end of the field, and use the least amount of hits possible. Links 2004 eases players into the intricacies of the game by initially dumbing down concepts such as back spin on the ball, wind effects and the rise and fall of greens around the hole.
Once the player masters this beginner state of play they can then move on to intermediate which imbues the player with greater control over which club to use and offers less help on putting and striking the ball. Once that mode of play is mastered, advanced can be chosen which ups the ante even further by giving no help on the power of the golf club swing and punishing the player for errant shots. This final mode is the most realistic yet the most frustrating, much like its real life counter part!
The only place where you can wear stupid looking pants without being arrested
Before you start playing Links 2004 you have to create a player. This player can be male or female and can be decked out in all manner of clothing from a pre-defined selection. The players nickname can also be chosen from a list that is uttered by the commentators as they make comments during play. The ball logo can also be selected which, like the clothing noted above, can be seen in both offline and online multiplayer games.
'You have found a +3 Golf Club of Spin'
When creating a player there is also the option to select the set of clubs to play with. The make initially has no real bearing on play but can be given improvements that increase the ability of the player to control the ball. These improvements can only be unlocked by completing 'Skill Events' in the single player challenge mode of play. New and improved balls can be unlocked also as the player progresses through the challenges. These bonuses are attributed to the players 'Skills Points'.
Baldur's Gate meets Golf
Skills points are a key part of Links 2004 as they improve the stats of the player. They alter the players ability to strike the ball, putt, play recovery shots from bunkers and the rough and control the balls spin. They can be gained in a number of ways the most traditional is to play through the career mode. Skills points are offered in exchange for virtual money - the maximum that can be accrued is $47 million, quite a tidy sum. The other way is to complete the above mentioned Skill Events and to play games online against others.
All of this adds a bit of an RPG character advancement to the game which adds to the longevity and appeal of Links 2004.