The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Does anyone else think that TGC 2 will be the last of the TGC series?

I've read no mention of a successor to TGC 2, and honestly right now, I can't see where there would be a market for it. There's a lot of discontent with TGC 2 and HBS isn't doing a great job of with public relations or instilling confidence that the concerns over the crippled multiplayer will be fixed with this edition. It's just bumfuzzling to me how a game in this day and age can take a step back in its multiplayer functionality to its two year old predecessor!?

I still play the game for its Society tournaments, but I really do miss having a playable, live multiplayer option. Live matchplay and four ball are a total wash, but even the ostensibly 'operable' stroke play is grossly out of sync so much of the time. I just got to where I don't bother with any attempt at live multiplayer anymore because it's so limiting and unreliable.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Those of you who've picked up an XBox One X, you might want to give The Golf Club 2 another look on it. It has transformed it into a new game for me. The frame rates have to have increased 30 to 40%, the load times are like 30% faster, screen refreshes seem to be twice as fast, and the 16X anisotropic filtering the X forces on all games really clean up the textures, especially those within 50 feet of you. You can now see more definition in the rough textures, and I'm talking realistic definition. I can even see blemishes in the skin on my golfer's legs that look like amorphous shading on the base XBox One.

I can't imagine what an XBox One X, 4K HDR enhanced version of this game would look and play like! HB Studios say they currently have not plans to do so though... (sigh).

[DivotMaker]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Those of you who've picked up an XBox One X, you might want to give The Golf Club 2 another look on it. It has transformed it into a new game for me. The frame rates have to have increased 30 to 40%, the load times are like 30% faster, screen refreshes seem to be twice as fast, and the 16X anisotropic filtering the X forces on all games really clean up the textures, especially those within 50 feet of you. You can now see more definition in the rough textures, and I'm talking realistic definition. I can even see blemishes in the skin on my golfer's legs that look like amorphous shading on the base XBox One.

I can't imagine what an XBox One X, 4K HDR enhanced version of this game would look and play like! HB Studios say they currently have not plans to do so though... (sigh).

I can confirm the message above.

[Flightwhite24]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

I can confirm the message above.

X2


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[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

I've read no mention of a successor to TGC 2, and honestly right now, I can't see where there would be a market for it. There's a lot of discontent with TGC 2 and HBS isn't doing a great job of with public relations or instilling confidence that the concerns over the crippled multiplayer will be fixed with this edition. It's just bumfuzzling to me how a game in this day and age can take a step back in its multiplayer functionality to its two year old predecessor!?

Their rigid refusal to implement a 2/3-click input mechanic is a major turnoff. I bought the first game and thought it showed promise but never got far into it because of the analogue only swing mechanic. I don’t think game companies should ever dictate specific input schemes when there are multiple historical ways to go about it but this developer surely was never in a strong enough position to do so. They should have been trying to do everything possible to get anyone interested to buy the game and they did not go down that path. Sad really.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Their rigid refusal to implement a 2/3-click input mechanic is a major turnoff. I bought the first game and thought it showed promise but never got far into it because of the analogue only swing mechanic. I don’t think game companies should ever dictate specific input schemes when there are multiple historical ways to go about it but this developer surely was never in a strong enough position to do so. They should have been trying to do everything possible to get anyone interested to buy the game and they did not go down that path. Sad really.

I know the history of HB Studios and their TGC effort. Their original vision statement was for thumbstick control only. They added analog mouse control late in the original development cycle, but it never had really met with very much acclaim. Three and two click interfaces have never gotten beyond the discussion stage.

I haven't played 3 or 2 click golf since I quit playing Links 2003, in 2005, so I can't really say much about such interfaces in the time since. I know I didn't like the 3 click interface of Perfect Golf, as I found it inferior in performance to Links 2003's. Maybe HB Studios has been seeing a lot of the grief Perfect Parallel is getting over the 3 click interface many of their customers continue to give it, and it's stuttering performance, and decided they don't need any of that?

I don't know all the answers, but I get the feeling that HB Studios is a bit resource strapped right now, and have more to chew than they can handle just getting the game in its current scope operating to their design specs. I don't ever see a click interface coming for this game. Honestly though, I haven't seen that much of an outcry for it over the last three years.

[AnthonyKyne]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Their rigid refusal to implement a 2/3-click input mechanic is a major turnoff. I bought the first game and thought it showed promise but never got far into it because of the analogue only swing mechanic. I don’t think game companies should ever dictate specific input schemes when there are multiple historical ways to go about it but this developer surely was never in a strong enough position to do so. They should have been trying to do everything possible to get anyone interested to buy the game and they did not go down that path. Sad really.

As the main decision maker on this and a big 3-click fan, here's where I was coming from.
Every golf game around at the time of TGC development lacked the nuances of the short game, and the mastering of the feel of the ball. As a golfer who lacks a long drive, I've loved that I can make myself more competitive by being better at the short game. So the main pillar of the game play was to bring that into a game for the first time.
3-Click just doesn't give you that ability unfortunately, it's a twitch mechanic rather than fluid like a golf swing. There's no ability to be heavy handed in 3-click, just the ability to miss the point you need to hit. So that was the main reason.
The second reason was that it's just too different from the real time swing to make it a level playing field for everyone.
The third reason was that there is such a small amount of 3-click players out there now, that risking a major pillar for the few and in turn risking our ability to compete with the other games on the market for the few just wasn't worth it.

Your point about making games in a way to make sure everyone would want to play it - is nice in theory but in reality - especially for an indie developer like HB - you have to concentrate on what you do well and stick with it otherwise you spread yourself too thinly and get a below average experience for everyone. Would The Beatles have added a crooner number on all their albums to appeal to the Frank Sinatra fans? no because it would end up appealing to no one. And if you look at the games over the years that try and appeal to everyone, they're normally very bland.

Hope that helps

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

As the main decision maker on this and a big 3-click fan, here's where I was coming from.
Every golf game around at the time of TGC development lacked the nuances of the short game, and the mastering of the feel of the ball. As a golfer who lacks a long drive, I've loved that I can make myself more competitive by being better at the short game. So the main pillar of the game play was to bring that into a game for the first time.
3-Click just doesn't give you that ability unfortunately, it's a twitch mechanic rather than fluid like a golf swing. There's no ability to be heavy handed in 3-click, just the ability to miss the point you need to hit. So that was the main reason.
The second reason was that it's just too different from the real time swing to make it a level playing field for everyone.
The third reason was that there is such a small amount of 3-click players out there now, that risking a major pillar for the few and in turn risking our ability to compete with the other games on the market for the few just wasn't worth it.

Your point about making games in a way to make sure everyone would want to play it - is nice in theory but in reality - especially for an indie developer like HB - you have to concentrate on what you do well and stick with it otherwise you spread yourself too thinly and get a below average experience for everyone. Would The Beatles have added a crooner number on all their albums to appeal to the Frank Sinatra fans? no because it would end up appealing to no one. And if you look at the games over the years that try and appeal to everyone, they're normally very bland.

Hope that helps

Thanks for weighing in with that Anthony; you've touched on aspects of the issue that I hadn't considered. I think clickers tend to overestimate the percentage of golf gamers who prefer 2 and 3 click swing interfaces this day and age, just as much as I probably overestimate the number of gamers playing JNPG with a controller. That user base seems to be more into mouse (first) and 3-click (second).

Your vision with TGC 2's more dynamic swing interface will stand the test of time with me. I don't feel myself getting burned out on this swing, like I did with TGC 1 after seven or eight months. TGC 2 has other less core gameplay based issues that are holding it back right now, but the swing interface is a step in the right direction.

TGC 2 is missing your passion and drive right now. You represented the product very well as a producer, designer, public relations specialist, and most importantly, as a gamer. I suspect HBS is undergoing to some internal changes right now that have taken some or a lot of their attention away from TGC 2. I think if they can get an update out there that allows for at least the degree of multiplayer functionality and properly synchronized leaderboards for tournament play, TGC 2 will make a bit of a comeback.

[CubFan23]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

I'm not an avid golfer but my neighbor is an addict! We both love video games as well and today Best Buy had TGC2 day one edition for $15.99, bought 2 copies and with my Gamers rewards ended up paying just $6 and change per copy!

[MDgolf]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

I'm not an avid golfer but my neighbor is an addict! We both love video games as well and today Best Buy had TGC2 day one edition for $15.99, bought 2 copies and with my Gamers rewards ended up paying just $6 and change per copy!

That’s Yuge!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GreenLightning]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Sorry for posting here but this is not a very active game here.

I have the Slim PS4. How are the graphics and how bad is the pop up?

What would you think are the best 5 user created courses to download?

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Sorry for posting here but this is not a very active game here.

I have the Slim PS4. How are the graphics and how bad is the pop up?

I have all three versions of TGC 2, and the graphics are what I would describe as serviceable on the PS4. The pop-up/pop-in is noticeable but I'm able to tune it out after a while. The PS4 version seems to be the most prone to suffer from swing stutter. You have to bail out of the swing and start over when this happens... it's annoying but not a game breaker. I do get maybe one inexplicable very slow/perfect tempo result each round that doesn't seem consistent with the swing I executed. This can be infuriating, at times, especially when I can play the same game on an XBox One X or PC that rarely exhibits that behavior.

What would you think are the best 5 user created courses to download?

Kingston Park
Jupitor Ridge
Bro Hof Slott Golf Club - Sweden
McNaughton Golf & Tennis Club
TPC at Sawgrass (make sure it's the one made by FriendBomber)

[woodjer]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

Sorry for posting here but this is not a very active game here.

I have the Slim PS4. How are the graphics and how bad is the pop up?

What would you think are the best 5 user created courses to download?

I play this only on PS4 so can't compare like Onlooker. I will say that I'm pretty happy with the graphics. I do experience the swing stutter that was mentioned but it's been easy enough to spot that I've only had one truly terrible shot as a result (before recognizing what it does). I also have the occasional "really?! that was a Slow downswing?!" moment but I'd say it's the exception rather than the rule. Rare enough that I just think of it as that shot that feels great but turns out differently.

I can't name the best 5 created courses off the top of my head. I play over at TGCTours and usually just go with whatever course is up for the tournament. When I have time to play other courses, I reference the Courses listed in that section of their site. Haven't always seen outstanding ones there but I'd guess at least 95% of them are a heck of a lot better than anything I've found just looking in-game.

[mcbogga]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

As the main decision maker on this and a big 3-click fan, here's where I was coming from.

Every golf game around at the time of TGC development lacked the nuances of the short game, and the mastering of the feel of the ball. As a golfer who lacks a long drive, I've loved that I can make myself more competitive by being better at the short game. So the main pillar of the game play was to bring that into a game for the first time.

3-Click just doesn't give you that ability unfortunately, it's a twitch mechanic rather than fluid like a golf swing. There's no ability to be heavy handed in 3-click, just the ability to miss the point you need to hit. So that was the main reason.

The second reason was that it's just too different from the real time swing to make it a level playing field for everyone.

The third reason was that there is such a small amount of 3-click players out there now, that risking a major pillar for the few and in turn risking our ability to compete with the other games on the market for the few just wasn't worth it.



Your point about making games in a way to make sure everyone would want to play it - is nice in theory but in reality - especially for an indie developer like HB - you have to concentrate on what you do well and stick with it otherwise you spread yourself too thinly and get a below average experience for everyone. Would The Beatles have added a crooner number on all their albums to appeal to the Frank Sinatra fans? no because it would end up appealing to no one. And if you look at the games over the years that try and appeal to everyone, they're normally very bland.



Hope that helps

You made the best putting ever in a video game, and that part is even slightly improved in TGC2. Just brilliant.

The rest of the shot game can be improved, for sure.

[AnthonyKyne]

Re: The Golf Club 2 - Impressions Thread

You made the best putting ever in a video game, and that part is even slightly improved in TGC2. Just brilliant.

The rest of the shot game can be improved, for sure.

I don't think anyone has ever said it is perfect and there isn't improvements to be made over the coming years. But it does have a nuance that other games lacked at the time of design and 3-click just wouldn't offer.