Links 2004 Impressions Thread

[JRod]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
MattFoley said:
The question about putting, is that it is both. In TW you should need to worry about the lie of the green. In Links you have to worry about the lie and the speed. It makes it challenging, but fun.

One thing after playing a few more games I would like to add is that the announcing does sound robotic, but they actually have some good stuff to say. It does sound clipped together, but they do provide info about what is going on in the game, which I like.

This game totally surprised me this year. Can't wait to see what kind of downloads we get.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Matt Foley is 100% right. It's about both and it does putting better than tiger. If you have a sloping putt you just can't bang it in. Sloping short putts scare me, just like in real life.

[mgoblue]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
JRod said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
MattFoley said:
The question about putting, is that it is both. In TW you should need to worry about the lie of the green. In Links you have to worry about the lie and the speed. It makes it challenging, but fun.

One thing after playing a few more games I would like to add is that the announcing does sound robotic, but they actually have some good stuff to say. It does sound clipped together, but they do provide info about what is going on in the game, which I like.

This game totally surprised me this year. Can't wait to see what kind of downloads we get.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Matt Foley is 100% right. It's about both and it does putting better than tiger. If you have a sloping putt you just can't bang it in. Sloping short putts scare me, just like in real life.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I don't know how many sloping short putts I've missed in this game. I'm getting my putt distance more consistant, but it's still tough to get that right touch on the swing for those sloping putts. Putting was impossible at first, but as I've played I start to get the rhythm down, never perfect, but I at least don't 4 putt many holes now

[mgoblue]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
JRod said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
MattFoley said:
The question about putting, is that it is both. In TW you should need to worry about the lie of the green. In Links you have to worry about the lie and the speed. It makes it challenging, but fun.

One thing after playing a few more games I would like to add is that the announcing does sound robotic, but they actually have some good stuff to say. It does sound clipped together, but they do provide info about what is going on in the game, which I like.

This game totally surprised me this year. Can't wait to see what kind of downloads we get.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Matt Foley is 100% right. It's about both and it does putting better than tiger. If you have a sloping putt you just can't bang it in. Sloping short putts scare me, just like in real life.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I don't know how many sloping short putts I've missed in this game. I'm getting my putt distance more consistant, but it's still tough to get that right touch on the swing for those sloping putts. Putting was impossible at first, but as I've played I start to get the rhythm down, never perfect, but I at least don't 4 putt many holes now

[mgoblue]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
JRod said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
MattFoley said:
The question about putting, is that it is both. In TW you should need to worry about the lie of the green. In Links you have to worry about the lie and the speed. It makes it challenging, but fun.

One thing after playing a few more games I would like to add is that the announcing does sound robotic, but they actually have some good stuff to say. It does sound clipped together, but they do provide info about what is going on in the game, which I like.

This game totally surprised me this year. Can't wait to see what kind of downloads we get.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Matt Foley is 100% right. It's about both and it does putting better than tiger. If you have a sloping putt you just can't bang it in. Sloping short putts scare me, just like in real life.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I don't know how many sloping short putts I've missed in this game. I'm getting my putt distance more consistant, but it's still tough to get that right touch on the swing for those sloping putts. Putting was impossible at first, but as I've played I start to get the rhythm down, never perfect, but I at least don't 4 putt many holes now

[jmarks2001]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

I am so happy with this game! This game plays great on the "Advanced" difficulty setting. I played two rounds on intermediate just to get the feel and then jumped right into Advanced and will never go back.

Driving
This may be a little too easy, but I miss at least one per round. And sometimes, I even get the "shanks" off the tee. I sliced three straight tee shots in a row while playing a fast play round on Live the other night. I had to pause the game and practice my stroke with the analog stick (no masturbatory innuendo please) to get it straightented out.

Approach shots
The pin placement and wind are a huge factor on your approaches. With most other golf games, I would be take dead aim at the pin consistently. With the realistic ball physics of Links, you can't expect to land a 3-iron softly when you only have 15 feet of green to work with. I find myself shooting at the open/big part of the green more often than not.

Chipping
Probably the most difficult part of the game in terms of gauging distance. But oh it's so rewarding to roll one up within 2 feet.

Putting
Also difficult to gauge distance and reading the break of the putt isn't exactly easy either. Aviara (one of the courses that is unlocked to start with) has some sick putts if you're playing on the most difficult pin positions. Also very rewarding to sink anything longer than 15 ft (inside 15 are by no means "gimmes").

Recovery
There isn't much of a penalty for hitting from the rough just off the fairway, and it seems as if all rough is the same in this game. It would have been nice to see a few different "cuts" of rough on some of the more manicured courses to add another level of complexity in planning a shot. I've only seen 5 categorized lies in the game: tee box, fairway, rough, sand, and green (there might have been another one when I was in the bushes, but I'm not sure). I think this needs to be beefed up to add depth. Saving par from bunkers and odd stances around the green is not overly difficult, but not overly easy either.

Shot Planning
Shot planning is the most important ingredient for scoring low, this is a real "thinking mans" game. To stick it close, you'll have to take the following factors into account before selecting a club and taking a swing:
1. distance (obviously)
2. wind direction
3. wind speed
4. ball lie
- uphill lies fly higher and land softer
- ball doesn't bite as much when hitting out of rough
- left/right slopes cause a natural push or pull that must be compensated for
5. spin
- spin the ball (preshot) to make it stick, give it some added roll, or fade around a bunker


Graphics
Best outdoor environments I've ever seen in a console video game. You can really appreciate the details when using the "Free Roaming Camera". The water is so life-like, I could stare it it for hours (okay, maybe just minutes but it's still cool). Trees and grass are beautifully textured. Buildings look very nice too. Characters have a nice level of detail to them, but could use more variation. Probably my biggest gripe with the graphics are the animations. The normal swing animation is fine and so are all the pre/post shot animations. I don't like how there aren't different animations for different shot types. Putts and chips have unique animations, but the same animation is used for straight, blast, flop, and punch shots. These should really all have their own distinct look. For example, when hitting out of a greenside bunker, it's customary to use on open stance while holding the face of the club open as well. Punch shots should have a low take away and a low follow through.


Sound
Pretty standard stuff. Commentary is actually very good in terms of the appropriateness and relevance of what they're saying. The problem with the commentary is the delivery. Wherever there is a name, hole, score, or distance variable that is inserted, it is noticably spliced togeterher and painfully obvious. Ambient sound effects are nice, but if you've got a DD 5.1 setup, they're great.


Online
Very sweet! Golf probably translates to online competition better than any other sport. The exploitation of "Team AI" has always killed online sports titles. However, in golf, it's you against the course. And if you can beat the course and your opponent can't, then you win. To complement this solid foundation of online gaming, a good number of online gameplay modes have been included. Team play is good fun! The only thing I'm a little bummed about is that I've heard that XSN will only support stroke and match play "tournaments". I was hoping for "leagues" or "tours" with the ability to set up a season schedule and have stats tracked for your performance in that league/tour. Maybe next year.


This is the challenging console golf game a lot of us have been waiting for. A perfect game? No...but it's the most fun and challenging golf video game (console or PC) that I've played in years.

Summary Minor Gripes:
1. Lack of variety in types of lies (ie, there is only one level of rough)
2. Lack of variety for swing animations of different shot types
3. Limited player customization options
4. Robotic commentary
5. No Leagues/Tours via XSN (only tourneys)

[jmarks2001]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

I am so happy with this game! This game plays great on the "Advanced" difficulty setting. I played two rounds on intermediate just to get the feel and then jumped right into Advanced and will never go back.

Driving
This may be a little too easy, but I miss at least one per round. And sometimes, I even get the "shanks" off the tee. I sliced three straight tee shots in a row while playing a fast play round on Live the other night. I had to pause the game and practice my stroke with the analog stick (no masturbatory innuendo please) to get it straightented out.

Approach shots
The pin placement and wind are a huge factor on your approaches. With most other golf games, I would be take dead aim at the pin consistently. With the realistic ball physics of Links, you can't expect to land a 3-iron softly when you only have 15 feet of green to work with. I find myself shooting at the open/big part of the green more often than not.

Chipping
Probably the most difficult part of the game in terms of gauging distance. But oh it's so rewarding to roll one up within 2 feet.

Putting
Also difficult to gauge distance and reading the break of the putt isn't exactly easy either. Aviara (one of the courses that is unlocked to start with) has some sick putts if you're playing on the most difficult pin positions. Also very rewarding to sink anything longer than 15 ft (inside 15 are by no means "gimmes").

Recovery
There isn't much of a penalty for hitting from the rough just off the fairway, and it seems as if all rough is the same in this game. It would have been nice to see a few different "cuts" of rough on some of the more manicured courses to add another level of complexity in planning a shot. I've only seen 5 categorized lies in the game: tee box, fairway, rough, sand, and green (there might have been another one when I was in the bushes, but I'm not sure). I think this needs to be beefed up to add depth. Saving par from bunkers and odd stances around the green is not overly difficult, but not overly easy either.

Shot Planning
Shot planning is the most important ingredient for scoring low, this is a real "thinking mans" game. To stick it close, you'll have to take the following factors into account before selecting a club and taking a swing:
1. distance (obviously)
2. wind direction
3. wind speed
4. ball lie
- uphill lies fly higher and land softer
- ball doesn't bite as much when hitting out of rough
- left/right slopes cause a natural push or pull that must be compensated for
5. spin
- spin the ball (preshot) to make it stick, give it some added roll, or fade around a bunker


Graphics
Best outdoor environments I've ever seen in a console video game. You can really appreciate the details when using the "Free Roaming Camera". The water is so life-like, I could stare it it for hours (okay, maybe just minutes but it's still cool). Trees and grass are beautifully textured. Buildings look very nice too. Characters have a nice level of detail to them, but could use more variation. Probably my biggest gripe with the graphics are the animations. The normal swing animation is fine and so are all the pre/post shot animations. I don't like how there aren't different animations for different shot types. Putts and chips have unique animations, but the same animation is used for straight, blast, flop, and punch shots. These should really all have their own distinct look. For example, when hitting out of a greenside bunker, it's customary to use on open stance while holding the face of the club open as well. Punch shots should have a low take away and a low follow through.


Sound
Pretty standard stuff. Commentary is actually very good in terms of the appropriateness and relevance of what they're saying. The problem with the commentary is the delivery. Wherever there is a name, hole, score, or distance variable that is inserted, it is noticably spliced togeterher and painfully obvious. Ambient sound effects are nice, but if you've got a DD 5.1 setup, they're great.


Online
Very sweet! Golf probably translates to online competition better than any other sport. The exploitation of "Team AI" has always killed online sports titles. However, in golf, it's you against the course. And if you can beat the course and your opponent can't, then you win. To complement this solid foundation of online gaming, a good number of online gameplay modes have been included. Team play is good fun! The only thing I'm a little bummed about is that I've heard that XSN will only support stroke and match play "tournaments". I was hoping for "leagues" or "tours" with the ability to set up a season schedule and have stats tracked for your performance in that league/tour. Maybe next year.


This is the challenging console golf game a lot of us have been waiting for. A perfect game? No...but it's the most fun and challenging golf video game (console or PC) that I've played in years.

Summary Minor Gripes:
1. Lack of variety in types of lies (ie, there is only one level of rough)
2. Lack of variety for swing animations of different shot types
3. Limited player customization options
4. Robotic commentary
5. No Leagues/Tours via XSN (only tourneys)

[jmarks2001]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

I am so happy with this game! This game plays great on the "Advanced" difficulty setting. I played two rounds on intermediate just to get the feel and then jumped right into Advanced and will never go back.

Driving
This may be a little too easy, but I miss at least one per round. And sometimes, I even get the "shanks" off the tee. I sliced three straight tee shots in a row while playing a fast play round on Live the other night. I had to pause the game and practice my stroke with the analog stick (no masturbatory innuendo please) to get it straightented out.

Approach shots
The pin placement and wind are a huge factor on your approaches. With most other golf games, I would be take dead aim at the pin consistently. With the realistic ball physics of Links, you can't expect to land a 3-iron softly when you only have 15 feet of green to work with. I find myself shooting at the open/big part of the green more often than not.

Chipping
Probably the most difficult part of the game in terms of gauging distance. But oh it's so rewarding to roll one up within 2 feet.

Putting
Also difficult to gauge distance and reading the break of the putt isn't exactly easy either. Aviara (one of the courses that is unlocked to start with) has some sick putts if you're playing on the most difficult pin positions. Also very rewarding to sink anything longer than 15 ft (inside 15 are by no means "gimmes").

Recovery
There isn't much of a penalty for hitting from the rough just off the fairway, and it seems as if all rough is the same in this game. It would have been nice to see a few different "cuts" of rough on some of the more manicured courses to add another level of complexity in planning a shot. I've only seen 5 categorized lies in the game: tee box, fairway, rough, sand, and green (there might have been another one when I was in the bushes, but I'm not sure). I think this needs to be beefed up to add depth. Saving par from bunkers and odd stances around the green is not overly difficult, but not overly easy either.

Shot Planning
Shot planning is the most important ingredient for scoring low, this is a real "thinking mans" game. To stick it close, you'll have to take the following factors into account before selecting a club and taking a swing:
1. distance (obviously)
2. wind direction
3. wind speed
4. ball lie
- uphill lies fly higher and land softer
- ball doesn't bite as much when hitting out of rough
- left/right slopes cause a natural push or pull that must be compensated for
5. spin
- spin the ball (preshot) to make it stick, give it some added roll, or fade around a bunker


Graphics
Best outdoor environments I've ever seen in a console video game. You can really appreciate the details when using the "Free Roaming Camera". The water is so life-like, I could stare it it for hours (okay, maybe just minutes but it's still cool). Trees and grass are beautifully textured. Buildings look very nice too. Characters have a nice level of detail to them, but could use more variation. Probably my biggest gripe with the graphics are the animations. The normal swing animation is fine and so are all the pre/post shot animations. I don't like how there aren't different animations for different shot types. Putts and chips have unique animations, but the same animation is used for straight, blast, flop, and punch shots. These should really all have their own distinct look. For example, when hitting out of a greenside bunker, it's customary to use on open stance while holding the face of the club open as well. Punch shots should have a low take away and a low follow through.


Sound
Pretty standard stuff. Commentary is actually very good in terms of the appropriateness and relevance of what they're saying. The problem with the commentary is the delivery. Wherever there is a name, hole, score, or distance variable that is inserted, it is noticably spliced togeterher and painfully obvious. Ambient sound effects are nice, but if you've got a DD 5.1 setup, they're great.


Online
Very sweet! Golf probably translates to online competition better than any other sport. The exploitation of "Team AI" has always killed online sports titles. However, in golf, it's you against the course. And if you can beat the course and your opponent can't, then you win. To complement this solid foundation of online gaming, a good number of online gameplay modes have been included. Team play is good fun! The only thing I'm a little bummed about is that I've heard that XSN will only support stroke and match play "tournaments". I was hoping for "leagues" or "tours" with the ability to set up a season schedule and have stats tracked for your performance in that league/tour. Maybe next year.


This is the challenging console golf game a lot of us have been waiting for. A perfect game? No...but it's the most fun and challenging golf video game (console or PC) that I've played in years.

Summary Minor Gripes:
1. Lack of variety in types of lies (ie, there is only one level of rough)
2. Lack of variety for swing animations of different shot types
3. Limited player customization options
4. Robotic commentary
5. No Leagues/Tours via XSN (only tourneys)

[pk500]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

Marks:

Excellent observations ... thanks!

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

Marks:

Excellent observations ... thanks!

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

Marks:

Excellent observations ... thanks!

Take care,
PK

[Klocker]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread


Great report Mark!

I concur.

No leagues!!??

I was counting on setting up a league.

[Klocker]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread


Great report Mark!

I concur.

No leagues!!??

I was counting on setting up a league.

[Klocker]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread


Great report Mark!

I concur.

No leagues!!??

I was counting on setting up a league.

[JRod]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

I wondering what course they are going to release for XBL. If they do I might get XBL just for this game.

And maybe they'll add some little nuances to the long game. The putting and chipping are perfect and they do it better than Tiger PC.

[JRod]

Re: Links 2004 Impressions Thread

I wondering what course they are going to release for XBL. If they do I might get XBL just for this game.

And maybe they'll add some little nuances to the long game. The putting and chipping are perfect and they do it better than Tiger PC.