Sid Meier's SimGolf

"The Best SimGolf Game on the Market"

Introduction:
You are to take control of an empty plot of land and turn it into one of the greatest golf courses in the world. You can choose from many different themes and climates and tweak your course so it fits everyone's style. Make sure its fun for everyone from beginners to proffesional golfers. Practice with your guests on your newly built golf course and get ready for the challenges with professionals and even a tournament or two. You will have to master both building a great golf course, and also master playing it.

Gameplay:
Similar to a tycoon game, this puts you into the 3D isometric view where you place objects and stuff to create a masterpiece. In this game, you will start out building your first hole. From there, you will continue to build your course, making it from an empty land to a bustling golf course which contains houses from celebrities, a private airport, hotel, pro shop, driving range, and more. Expand your course into adjacent areas by purchasing the land. Make it from a small course to a large course which can hold competitions and have world class holes. Add soda venders, marshalls, food stalls, benches and other objects to please your guests on the way. Make it fun for your guests and make it fun for yourself.

Story:
There is barely any story to this game at all. Basically you just build and play golf courses.

Sound:
SimGolf has realistic, but repetitive golf noises. The swing of the club, the club striking the ball, the ball making a kerplunk noise in the water, or the ball going softly into the hole, the noises sound nice. However, there are many sounds that get annoying. For example, the characters sound like Sims from The Sims. They don't speak english, however, they speak this odd Sim language that can get quite annoying since its repeated over and over again through out the game play.

Graphics:
The graphics are not good, but not bad. They are mediocre. They have the Sim feel to it. Cartoony, small, nice animations, however lack real detail. There wasn't a lot of work put into them, however, it looks nice and is easy to play.

Flaws:
I had a few problems with this game, however, they were very minute. First, the whole game was alittle shallow and seemed rushed. Second, the sounds a graphics weren't as great as expected. Third, the replay value was good, but not good enough.

Replayability:
You can play this game for a long time. However, once you lose interest, you might as well throw away the CD. Once you are done with this game, you really are absolutely done with it. Well, maybe thats just my opinion.

Conclusion:
This game was okay. I don't recommend it to people who don't like Sim games, tycoon games, or golf games. If you feel like you would enjoy this game, you probably will. However, if you are the type of gamer that likes shooting and action, then stay away from this one.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/15/03, Updated 01/15/03