LYNX: Awesome Golf










From: Robert Jung (ap803@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)

Date: 12/07/91-04:11:04 AM Z









From: ap803@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Robert Jung)
Subject: LYNX: Awesome Golf
Date: Sat Dec  7 04:11:04 1991


(Note: I originally posted this on Monday the 2nd of December, but the
Free-net was acting up. Hence the delay)

  And here I thought Atari was going to save up their sports titles for a
Spring promotion. Not that I'm complaining, mind you...

===========================================================================
AWESOME GOLF
1-4 players, horizontal game
Atari Corp., for the Atari Lynx
$29.95
Stereo? No

OVERVIEW:
    Forget those 5:00am tee-offs, with AWESOME GOLF you can now play the links
on the Lynx. This is a fully loaded golf game, offering three courses filled
with obstacles, and enough challenge to keep you busy. Chipper the chipmunk
will be your caddy and scorekeeper, so pick your club, and please replace your
divots.

    You can play on one of three imaginary courses, for a 9-hole or an 18-hole
game. Up to four players can ComLynx together, practice on individual holes,
or work on a driving range. Each hole beings with an overhead map, where you
can aim your shot as well as scroll and zoom as desired. Fourteen clubs are
available: three woods, eight irons, two wedges, and a putter. Finally, you
take swing, hopefully staying on the fairway and avoiding the hazards.

GAMEPLAY:
    AWESOME GOLF is a straight, no-nonsense implementation of the game, with
many features and game options. A game can feature three different wind
levels, while the properties of terrain and the slope of the green must be
kept in mind. Distances to the hole are always available, and each club's
range, usage, and effect on the ball are accurately duplicated. Strokes are
done with a power bar using three button presses: The first press starts the
swing, the second press sets the strength, and the third press determines hook
and slice. Finally, you can select the clothing, race and sex of your video
duffer, though the only major effect is that women golfers tee off closer to
the hole.

    There's not much else to be said -- AWESOME GOLF plays golf, and plays it
well. As in real golf, the key to winning is a good strategy and a good
technique. The game is helpful without being pandering; players can set
individual handicaps, hints on clubs and aim are available to beginners, and
the driving range reports statistics on your swing. The only gripe is with the
multiplayer option. You must ComLynx to play against other people, though the
game could have been designed to support multiple players on one Lynx. It's a
trivial point, but one worth mentioning.

GRAPHICS/SOUND:
    Graphics on AWESOME GOLF are a combination of detailed realism and light
humor. Shots are seen from behind your player, and the ball's flight is viewed
from overhead, all done with quality animation, detailed backgrounds, and
smooth scrolling and scaling. Finally, cartoon stills highlight events such as
bogeys, penalties, and birdies. On the sound side, AWESOME GOLF is fairly
quiet, using short chimes to indicate selections and decisions. To spice
things up, Chipper's high-pitched voice is peppered throughout, congratulating
good strokes, laughing at blunders, and making remarks everywhere.

SUMMARY:
    Between CHECKERED FLAG and AWESOME GOLF, the Lynx is shaping up to be a
serious video sports system. This game captures the intricacies of the sport,
while offering enough extras to enhance its appeal, though playing with
friends can be a hassle. If golf is your game, AWESOME GOLF should not be
missed.


                GAMEPLAY:        9
                GRAPHICS:        9
                SOUND:           9
                OVERALL:         9

  Rating values  10 - 8   Great! This game can't get much better.
                  7 - 5   Good. Average game, could be improved.
                  4 - 2   Poor. For devotees only.
                      1   Ick. Shoot it.

===========================================================================

  For a little laugh, check out the name of the 17th hole on the American
course...

                                                --R.J.
                                                B-)

//////////////////////////////////////|\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
   Send whatevers to rjung@usc.edu    |    If it has pixels, I'm for it.
--------------------------------------+------------------------------Lynx up!
       "If it moves, shoot it. If it doesn't move, shoot it anyway."









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