Golf.
Those who love golf can`t get enough of it. They watch and play it any chance they get. Most golfers never master the sport, unless your name happens to be Tiger or Ernie. Of course, not being any good at something shouldn`t stop you from spending a fortune on equipment.
This brings me to gamers. They are often ridiculed for spending hours at a time in front of a computer or console instead of "doing some useful". People often wonder how a person can spend thousands of rands on a device for a computer just to speed up game play.
Why mention golfers and gamers in the same review? Well, I recently had the chance to play the beta version of Microsoft`s Links 2003 golf title.
Links made its debut on the PC in the late 1980s when developer Accolade, later acquired by Microsoft, released it. It says much for the game that it only recently started getting serious competition in this genre from EA Sports with its Tiger Woods franchise. This competition has seen the companies tussle for market share with both releasing new features and added functionality with each successive title.
Well, local PC golfing fans should lick their lips in anticipation for November since both EA and Microsoft are releasing new versions of their golfing titles. EA will beat Microsoft to the post with Tiger Woods USA Tour 2003 shipping a couple of weeks before Links 2003. While the SA market is not as competitive as some of the overseas ones, it should still be interesting to see which title fans prefer.
My personal feelings to Tiger Woods (the player, not the game) aside, I must admit that I have been following the Links franchise since its inception and still enjoy playing it. While I am loath to form a final opinion based on a beta version, Links 2003 does look like it will turn a few heads with its new features.
The first thing that will strike fans is that the golfers are now 3D. While motion captured golfers were nice and some might even say a necessity during the 90s, most gamers have outgrown this.
The game still excels with regards to the course graphics. When playing Links you will be forgiven for thinking that you are actually on a real course bar a few annoying details. These details come in the form of the environmental effects. It is very difficult to get drawn into a game that has no crowd animation when the cardboard cutouts are cheering you after playing a nice shot. Other annoying details or lack thereof are the stationary trees and clouds. Not too put to fine a point on it, but why can`t we have moving trees and clouds when there is wind blowing on the course?
Okay, enough with the negatives. A major advantage for me is that you now have left-handed golfers. You can also customise your golfer to your heart`s delight. There are options to change shirt, pants, cap and even skin colours. Players will also be able to import their own photographs.
Additionally, Links 2003 has a selection of several current professionals while offering a couple of non-descript amateur models as well. Needless to say, you can also choose a voice pack for your golfer.
The real-time swing has been added to the three standard Links swing modes easy, classic and power stroke. With this swing type you must move your mouse towards you in a straight line for the back swing and then forwards along the same line for the follow through. How straight you keep the mouse and how fast you move it will determine the accuracy and power of your shot.
Microsoft has introduced this swing for a more realistic experience and has succeeded to a large extent. After taking a couple of lessons in this swing mode, I started developing a feel for how strong some shots needed to be using different clubs.
This is by far the most useful addition to the Links franchise. Many overseas writers complained about the fact that this swing is vertical and therefore difficult to become accustomed to. I say hogwash. While some might argue that it is natural to move the mouse horizontally to mimic a swing, I believe the vertical movement is ideal for the PC.
There are six courses in the beta version and it is likely that all of them will be included in the final version. The courses are:
* Cambrian Ridge
* Kauri Cliffs
* Skeleton Coast
* The Centenary Course at Gleneagles
* The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol
* Tribute at the Otsego Club
The beta features more than 40 different modes of play and gives you the option to create your own games.
Links 2003 also ships with the Arnold Palmer course designer for all those aspiring course architects out there. While it may seem daunting to some users, it does add much needed functionality to the game.
Of course, what would a sports game be without online play? You will be able to play in tournaments all over the world via the Internet and can even stand a chance of winning some real money. Links 2003 also features a career mode for those who take their PC golf seriously and who want to play like the professionals. Of course, you will have to go through the qualifying school first.
While the beta still had some bugs in the graphics department, it does give a good glimpse of what the gamer can expect from the final version. While I will keep my recommendation until I have played the release version, I must admit that Links 2003 does have many possibilities.
More screenshots
Here are some additional screenshots:
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