 All of the big-time golfers will want to check this mini golf game out because of its realistic features. Golfing is a very popular game with many people and the ability to play a mini golf game on a PocketPC is very appealing to me and the price for the game is very reasonable, considering the quality of the game. Vapor Trail Games has done a fantastic job creating this game and it appears as if it is their only game for the PocketPC. The graphics are clean and crisp and the game play will keep you coming back.
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One very interesting feature is that you are given the ability to place the ball anywhere on a starting game pad, which is a gray box. Most other mini golf games force you to start in a specific spot, but most real mini golf games simply give you a general recommendation of where to place the ball. This allows Mini Golf Challenge to be more realistic in that respect. Each swing at the ball is very realistic and there is also almost no limit to how strong a swing can be, which gives the player the ability to swing almost as hard as desired. While playing, the player is given the ability to drag the screen around to see the entire area, which is very helpful and the scrolling is very smooth, which is helpful as well.
When the game is started, there is some music that is played, but when the game actually starts, the music stops. I find it helpful if games include optional music, but this doesn't appear to include any music to listen to while playing. Although, as talked about in my review of Fade by Fade-Team, the lack of music is not all bad because that gives me the ability to listen to my own music, which is, in most cases, better than the music that most every game for the PocketPC provides. Each hole is very unique and they each provide a unique challenge. Challenges range from simply hills that you have to pass without bounding back and going back over the hills, to having to get to the top of the hill without continuing over the other side if the hole is at the top of the hill. Many holes present obstacles that are very well designed and strange, but this just increases the difficulty.
Another amazing feature is the ability to minimize the game very easily. Too many games today offer no way of minimizing the game and the only way to use the device for something else is to exit the game. Many objects are also slightly transparent, adding to the overall appeal of the visuals. Everything is very smooth and reacts quickly. While on the main screen, you will notice two modes. First, you can use the practice mode which allows the user to play any hole. Second is the challenge mode and this will provide a more structured game and it adds a multiplayer function for up to 4 players.
This game also has a very interesting and well designed feature that allows you to play against the computer. It contains very smart AI that makes playing against the computer a joy. While playing with other players, such as computers, you can play either a 9-hole or 18-hold game and there is even the ability to have the holes decided randomly to add a bit of luck to a competition. Again, the AI is very smart and seems to be very well designed. When the computer is playing, you actually see the swing by the computer and it seems very realistic. Lastly, when playing myself, I am impressed with the ability to get a hole-in-one occasionally. Many golf games make it nearly impossible to get a hole-in-one. In my opinion, the player should be able to get at least one hole-in-one per game because that is basically the best possible shot. If it was impossible to get a hole-in-one, then there should not be the term hole-in-one.
Game options include the ability to turn off the music that plays on the main menu, crowd noise, and sound effects. In addition, aim snapping and a release filter are also options that are supposed to allow the player to make more accurate shots for the more difficult holes. This is a very well designed golfing game and Vapor Trail Games did a wonderful job with the game. I highly recommend that all golfers try this out and see what they think. |
