Golf: Tee It Up!

A new addition to the Xbox Live Arcade came in the last week is a title from Housemarque and Activision (fast connection needed for Activision link) called ”Golf: Tee It Up!”. This release cost 800 points ($10).

Currently in the Xbox Live Arcade there is only one other title that involves golf. However, that is of the miniature variety.  There are very few other choices overall on the Xbox 360 in the golfing variety. ”Golf: Tee It Up!”  brings two 18-hole courses for your hacking pleasure. The characters in”Golf: Tee It Up!” are completely customizable. You will not see numerous characters on the course, just the current golfer during your playing time. If you are playing online, or offline multiplayer, you will see where the other players are at by a ball marker shown on screen.

Online

Online and offline play modes are to be chosen from when it comes time to set up a game. Offline choices include playing solo, against three others in a round, or a co-op version that is for 2-4 players. In addition there is a solo match play against the AI, or co-op against multiple players. The online variations are the same with the Xbox Live matchmaker helping you gather opponents (if you do not have someone already on your friends list to enlist to play against or with.) One nice thing that is uncommon in many Xbox Live games is the ability to play a ranked game against another user on the same machine. As of a week or so after release I have found just a handful of times where someone else is available to play. I just hope that soon the number of people playing increases so that there are more opportunities for the matchmaker.

Graphics:

The graphics in”Golf: Tee It Up!” are not going to amaze you or even dazzle you with some new effect. They do the trick in showcasing the fun factor of the game, but there is not much else beyond that. This is however an arcade title that is trying to capitalize on the fun factor versus the graphical details, within of course the limitations set forth by Microsoft for Xbox Live. Details are not much beyond the travel of the ball. You will see your typical golf course background objects of building, trees, water, sand, and the occasional butterfly. Once in a while there will be an obstacle located on the course that is there for you to ponder using to your advantage or staying clear of. On the downside of the graphics there is not much interaction with the surface when you hit the ball. There are not any divots or dents when the ball is hit or when it lands. Even on water and sand hits the result is sometimes a minimal splash, or a poof of sand in a sand trap. In addition there are also some minor glitches when the ball bounces. Shadows do not always line up, but all in all the graphics do the trick given the price point of the title.

Audio:

The audio consists of your expected golf noises. There are the sound of birds, the striking of the ball, whoosh of the clubs during the swing, and hitting trees to name a few. The audio does a much better job than the graphics in letting you know if you hit water and sand because you actually hear more then you sometimes will see.  Although at times the sounds comes a little later than the actual impact. This would seem normal except for the fact the camera is zooming in. Background music is your standard loops of music that is best turned off, unless you like having some background noise while you play.

Gameplay:

The gameplay is much better than the graphics and the audio. It is easy to pick up and play, and quick to adjust to. Prior to setting up to swing you are able to choose your club with the triggers on the controller. Also available is a power boost by pressing the B button. After deciding whether to go with normal power, or the power boost, the actual swinging mechanism is very simplistic to use. It is also not too difficult to master. It is an easily adaptable system, which is a three click method of swinging: once to start for your power, once to set the power, and a third press to set your accuracy. Should you set your accuracy within the noted zone, you will get a little burst of fire displayed on the meter, showing a solid swing, and your ball will go very close to where you aimed (pending any alterations by the wind meter.)The wind does not affect your ball as it does in the more in depth golf games, but it does have a slight effect that you will need to take it into consideration when setting up your shot. Aiming your shot prior to the swing also is easy, as a quick tap of the bumper buttons will give you a different view of the hole while also showing a circle giving you an indication of where you will land if you make a full, accurate swing. Moving your aim closer or further does create a chore in setting up your shot though as you will change clubs when you do not really want to, so this view is best used as a guide. Setting up in the main screen is far more rewarding and much less frustrating. One item that is different in”Golf: Tee It Up!” is what you can do post-swing, with the adjustment. This adjustment period is not unlimited however, as you only have a few seconds of adjustments you can make. A movement of the right thumbstick allows the user to adjust the flight path of the ball. Typically you start out with four seconds of adjustments. This will allow you to fine tune your shot right towards the hole. If you use your four seconds on the first shot then you will not see it the duration of the hole. If you do not use it at all for the particular hole, then you will increase the amount available for the next hole. This is where your scores can get low, and also make a game changing hole in one with a little finesse.

Summary:

In the end “”Golf: Tee It Up!” is a title that does the job of giving a satisfying product for the targeted gamer. Those would be the casual gamers who are just looking for a quick pick up game or a time killer. Hardcore gamers that expect a serious simulation need to re-adjust their screen and take a closer look.  What you will find the first time you load up”Golf: Tee It Up!” is a fun, easy to play, family oriented game of golf that any member of your family can learn to enjoy in a few short moments. As for the future of”Golf: Tee It Up!” be on the lookout for downloadable content in the form of new courses which will help give some more replay value. Hopefully for those who are achievement seekers, this will also include some additional achievements as well to keep the amount of gamers at a stronger level, which in turn will give more value to the online portion of play.

Final Score -- 7/10 (Worthy of a purchase)