Cursed To Golf Review
Developer: Chuhai Labs
Publisher: Thunderful Games
Release: August 18th, 2022
Reviewed On: PC
Also On: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch
By: Evan1Sonic. After a tragic event, a professional golfer finds himself in Golf Purgatory and must golf his way through an unfair world if he wants to ever return to the land of the living. I never would have envisioned playing a golf-themed rouge-like game, but now that I have, I urge you to do the same. This incredible rogue-like adventure title showcases the sport that is golf and shows that all you need to win is perseverance and patience.
The game opens with an unusual turn of events. A renowned golfer is struck by lightning just before winning a large championship trophy. He then wakes up to discover a dead soul, the Scotsman, who informs him that he is imprisoned in Golf Purgatory and that the only way out is to complete 18 hellish holes. Will he return to the living world and become a golf legend, or will he be cursed to golf forever? Even though the story was enjoyable, it ultimately seemed a bit hollow and full circle, with very little character growth. The main character was a great golfer with unclear motivations before the game began, and he was still the same at the conclusion. He did improve his skills in an unfair environment, and yes, lessons were learned along the way, but at the end of the day, he remained the same person with the same unhighlighted goals. While you may understand the star of this title’s motivations better than I do, I don’t think the majority of players will understand what propels him forward. However, I loved the cartoony style of the storyline and writing, and it made up for most of the story’s shortcomings. The ending felt satisfying and was a good curtain call, but I wish there was just a bit more story throughout the game.
While the story leaves something to be desired, the gameplay is fantastic. Once you have your route to the flag mapped out by using the drone-like planning camera, it’s time to start golfing. You have three clubs at your disposal, and each one is ideal for a specific purpose. However, choosing the ideal club for your intended approach is only half the battle; you must also charge and line up your shot. The two timed button presses used to do this initially seemed overly simple, but I eventually grew to love them. It was easy enough to pick up and learn within the first few minutes of the game, but allowed the complexity needed to pull off wild shots later on in the game. You may also rotate your golf ball while it's in the air to slightly alter where it will settle thanks to an effective early game ability. Mastering this is important because it's necessary to pull off some otherwise seemingly impossible shots. This basic gameplay loop feels incredible and never got old during the twenty-six hours it took me to hit the credits. Finding the quickest route to the flag at the end of each hole felt like a puzzle, and the in-game leaderboard encouraged that style of thinking. What differentiates a good roguelike from a great one in my mind is how fun the gameplay loop is, and Cursed To Golf nails it out of the park in that regard.
The fastest way to the flag is encouraged by the leaderboard, but there is frequently a risk involved that causes you to rethink your approach. These risks are usually hazards to avoid, from water and lava to fake flags and piranhas. The longest path to the flag, however, was often devoid of these obstacles. As a result of this, I found myself giving every choice and route a second thought. Thankfully, Ace cards, which grant you special abilities, can aid you in avoiding the dangers you encounter on your journey. These cards can range from straightforward bonuses to powerful cards that, when applied effectively, can drastically alter how a shot turns out. When stacked, you can use these cards to pull off some epic shots, something I did a lot in the challenging final few holes. All of these things add on to the already great base gameplay to create something wonderful.
In contrast to other rouge-like titles, the courses in this one were meticulously designed for the best golfing experience. Due to the lack of procedural generation, I encountered the same levels quite a few times, but I rarely got sick of them due to the dozens of different paths to the flag in each level. I can’t deny my wish to stop encountering the same few first levels, but each time I learned a new faster way to reach the flag. The ability to stockpile helpful Ace cards to withdraw in a future run helped propel myself past any roadblocks in my progress. I really appreciate how each of the four distinct biomes feels different from the others and has its own visual aesthetic. The highlight of each of these biomes is the boss battle at the end of each. You are forced to utilize every tool at your disposal in an effort to reach the flag first in these fights. But watch out because these bosses will cheat their way to an advantage. There weren't many bosses for me to face, but each was fun and unique, and I found myself wishing there had been more. From one run to the next, my skills improved until I began to feel like the professional golfer I should be. The best part of a rogue-like title is the craving to start a new run right after one has ended, and this game definitely has that craving.
Cursed To Golf is a wonderful experience from beginning to end, despite having an uninteresting plot. The foundational golf gameplay never got stale, and setting up and nailing perfect shots always felt great. As a whole, I disliked the story, but the ending and cartoon-like style of writing made it a fun ride. Captivating music and beautiful pixel art were also standouts. This rogue-like golf adventure title is an incredible, challenging showcase of the most fun aspects of the sport of golf, and I highly recommend you give it a try.
Cursed To Golf 9/10
This game was reviewed using a code provided by Chuhai Labs. What did you think of this review? Are you planning on playing Cursed To Golf? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading and Game On!!
