Battle Golfer Yui
Mario Golf does it betterGenre: sports - golf
Publisher: Sega
Year: 1991
System: MD
Gameplay Score: 3
Gameplay Notes:
The golfing mechanics are chopped down to be accessible, but at the cost of playability. It's hard to guage distance because all you have is the distance to the pin and the estimated distance for your club, but you can't tell how much the ground will affect your shot. The computer struggles with this as much as you do, so it hits balls all over the place - into water and bunkers and O.B. Putting is the same, although I was able to figure out the distance after some trial and error. The RPG elements amount to a long menu-driven conversation which requires a certain sequence which is only achieved through trial and error. You can Talk, Ask, Check, Think, and occasionally perform a different task such as Item or Anger. Again, all you have to do is click through over and over to find the next option which will advance the encounter.
Level Design Score: 2
Level Design Notes:
There are two mode: Adventure and Golf Play. Adventure is a lite RPG with no overworld or movement, just a series of menu-based conversations with an opponent. It's very short and very silly, and while I appreciate the novelty of it, it's not terribly compelling. Golf Play is a more traditional Match or Stroke Play. Stroke Play is the only mode you can play solo and it doesn't even keep track of your overall strokes. It's barebones. Unfortunately, the course design in this game is AWFUL. The fairways are miniscule and nearly impossible to reach. Enormous bunkers and water hazards cover a majority of the screen. Who designed these terrible holes?
Theme Score: 4
Theme Notes:
Very silly story where an evil guy wants to brainwash two teenage girls to become robot golfers and help him take over the world. It makes absolutely no sense but I love it. The story loses steam quickly since you're just having conversations with a series of disconnected characters with no obvious link to the central plot. Maybe the eventual payoff is worth it.
Art Style Score: 4
Art Style Notes:
Great cartoony artwork and a pleasant look and feel. Very Camelot-esque.
Audio Score: 4
Audio Notes:
Terrific music
Overall Score: 60
Review ID: 6006
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