Golf Story

This unique twist on a sports game manages to amuse players on and off the golf course with humor, plot twists, and a healthy dose of putting along the way. Chasing your dreams can mean getting stuck in the rough sometimes. But with dedication and a little follow-through, reaching that goal can be a "fore"-gone conclusion. At least, that's the message behind this uniquely entertaining sports/RPG hybrid. On the surface, mixing role-playing and golf seems like an absurdly ridiculous idea ... and make no mistake, it truly is. But once you accept the insanity of the idea and roll with it, it's hard not to get hooked. The game's 8-bit visuals and retro gameplay give off an irresistible sense of nostalgia, while the quirky and almost nonsensical plot coupled with the offbeat humor are sure to keep a smile on your face. It's a good thing too, because the humor helps break up the game's repetition. After all, there are only so many ways to cram golf into an adventure game (though the murder mystery was a surprise).

Most of your time with Golf Story involves testing your skills on the green. There are a few variations, such as disc golf, mini-golf, and a bucketful of mini-games meant to test and hone your skills. This means a lot of time spent making the most of the game's golf mechanics. On the upside, it's relatively easy to pick up a club and swing away. There are a few quirks, though, particularly when you're trying to judge things like how the wind speed or angle of slope will affect your shot. Much like real golf, even when everything seems lined up perfectly, sometimes the ball just does its own thing, usually in the form of an odd bounce or roll. This can mean the difference between a birdie or a double bogey. It's a little frustrating, but it's never unfair and instead drives you to try a little harder on the next swing. Golf Story may come up just shy of landing a hole in one, but its personality and gameplay still make for a fun-filled time on this freaky fairway.