Cursed to Golf
By Angelica Guarino,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sports-themed roguelike game is deceptively challenging.
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Cursed to Golf
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What’s It About?
Born to die, CURSED TO GOLF. In the event that the afterlife really is highly personalized torture, Golf Purgatory is the worst place for our protagonist, a champion golfer, to end up. He's greeted by the first of four spirits overseeing Golf Purgatory -- the Scotsman. After a quick introduction, the Scotsman gives the protagonist a not-so-simple task: make it through 18 holes of unforgiving, precision-heavy, afterlife-style golf for a chance to escape Golf Purgatory and return to life. The stakes are high: Run out of shots, and you'll be sent all the way back to the first hole. Using ace cards, shot idols, and multiple runs, players will need to take risks and make mistakes to adapt to all of the tricks, miseries, and challenges Golf Purgatory has to offer.
Is It Any Good?
This mix of a sports-themed platformer with a strategy-heavy roguelike game works really well, even though it's very challenging to play. Cursed to Golf feels like a punishment you can't stop playing, which may not sound like a compliment, but it is. Even if it means reaching just one hole further along in the 18-hole marathon, a successful run is incredibly satisfying. Unlike other adventure games, this title constantly reminds you of how far you've come in the story by sending you right back to the beginning. It hurts every time.
This game is best for players who are already fans of the roguelike genre. Though there are many different strategies for advancing in the course, it's likely that players will need to bring in knowledge from similar titles to understand the best approaches to the game. For instance, the Eterni-Tee golf shop contains a card binder feature, which allows players to save ace cards for later runs. A player more accustomed to roguelikes, which often require planning for future runs, may use this feature to spend several practice runs focused on loading up the binder with rare ace cards, hoping that the cards will propel them further on one or two later escape attempts. Though that's just one example, players who aren't used to thinking that way may take so long to figure out what to do that they quit the game in exhaustion. Don't fall for the cute graphics and upbeat soundtrack. Though Cursed to Golf can definitely be fun, it's not for everyone. In fact, it's probably only worth recommending to a very specific group of players looking for a challenge to their golf and strategy skills.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the rules of Cursed to Golf differ from playing golf in real life. How do these rules make room for players to practice being strategic?
It's not meant to be taken seriously, but how does it make you feel to see this portrayal of what happens after your character dies in Cursed to Golf?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid ($19.99)
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Thunderful Publishing AB
- Release date: August 18, 2022
- Genre: Sports
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- ESRB rating: E for Mild language
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
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