Golf With Your Friends – Review – The more fun and social side of mini-golf!

If you’ve ever played mini golf or watched someone else play, you know how chaotic and strategic the sport can be. Now imagine taking that experience, amplifying it with creative elements that wouldn’t be possible in the real world, adding Mario Kart -style power-ups , and bringing it all to the comfort of your couch or computer chair. That’s exactly what Golf With Your Friends offers: a mini golf experience that not only celebrates the sport, but also turns it into a party, especially when played with friends.

From the moment I began my journey through the game’s colorful and varied courses, I realized that Golf With Your Friends is much more than just a simple game of mini-golf. It’s a game designed to entertain, challenge, and, of course, make you laugh as a group. But does it manage to live up to this premise in every aspect? Let’s dive deep into the details of this experience.

Mechanics and Gameplay

Right off the bat, what impressed me most about Golf With Your Friends was how simple and accessible the controls were. The gameplay is straightforward: you use the right analog stick to aim and the left to adjust the strength of your shot. With the press of a button, your ball is in motion, and the goal is always the same: to get it into the hole in as few strokes as possible.

But Golf With Your Friends isn’t just about aiming and hitting. The game incorporates a number of elements that make each round unique. From classic obstacles like ramps and moving platforms to wacky challenges like gravity-altering holes or jetpacks, each course brings a new layer of strategy and surprise. Alternative modes like Dunk (with basketball hoops) and Hockey (with a puck and moving goalies) add even more variety to the experience. And let’s not forget Party Mode , where Mario Kart- style power-ups come into play to make things even more chaotic.

However, not everything is perfect. Some mechanics can be a bit frustrating, especially for beginners. The ball physics, while generally solid, sometimes have inconsistencies, such as moments where the ball appears to float or pass through objects. Additionally, the use of the free camera, which allows you to explore the field before each play, can be confusing for less experienced players.

Still, the game’s “easy to learn, hard to master” aspect is one of its greatest strengths. After a few games, I began to plan my shots more precisely, taking into account the terrain, the power and even the spin of the ball.

Graphics

Golf With Your Friends ’ graphics are a mix of charm and simplicity. The settings are vibrant and colorful, with courses ranging from forests and deserts to haunted mansions and space stations. Each course has its own visual identity, and the details of the obstacles – like statues of Anubis on the Egyptian map or creepy animatronics in the haunted mansion – help create a fun and immersive atmosphere.

However, there’s no denying that the graphics are far from technically impressive. Since the game began development in 2016, its textures and modeling look dated compared to modern standards. Trees and vegetation can look static and lifeless, and some objects are clearly recycled between maps.

Despite these limitations, the graphics serve the purpose of the game well. They are not the main focus, but they contribute to the overall experience, maintaining the light and relaxed tone that the title proposes.

Sound

The soundtrack for Golf With Your Friends is a sticking point for me. At times, it does a good job of complementing the atmosphere of the courses, with themed songs that fit the settings. However, the excessive repetition of these tracks quickly becomes annoying, especially during longer rounds. After a few rounds, I opted to turn off the music and put on my own playlist in the background.

The sound effects, on the other hand, are adequate and help bring the game to life. From the satisfying sound of the ball rolling to the effects of collisions with obstacles, everything is in the right place. A special highlight goes to the sounds of the power-ups in Party mode , which add a comical touch to the experience.

Fun

This is where Golf With Your Friends really shines. When played with friends, especially in local matches or online with people you know, the game becomes a feast of laughter and unforgettable moments. The ability to customize rules, such as gravity and ball shape, ensures that each round is unique and unpredictable.

The alternative modes are also a big highlight. Playing Hockey with your friends or trying to score a basket in Dunk Mode can lead to hilarious moments. The inclusion of power-ups in Party Mode adds an extra layer of chaos, making each match an unpredictable experience.

However, it is important to note that the fun can be diminished when playing with strangers online. Issues such as inactive players and lack of effective communication can disrupt the flow of matches.

Performance and Optimization

I tested the game on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, and my experience was mixed. On PC, the game runs smoothly, with quick load times and no significant performance drops, the same is true on PlayStation. On Switch, I noticed occasional frame rate drops, especially on more complex courses or with a lot of players.

Another issue is the lack of crossplay. It would be great to be able to bring players from different platforms together to expand the online player base, but this feature is missing, limiting the potential of the multiplayer mode.

Despite this, Golf With Your Friends is still playable and enjoyable in most situations. Just be prepared to deal with minor hiccups, especially on the Switch.

Conclusion

Golf With Your Friends is a mini-golf experience that delivers exactly what it promises: laid-back fun with friends. While it has technical limitations and occasional physics and performance issues, its variety of modes, customizations, and creative maps make it a solid choice for casual sessions or multiplayer parties.

If you’re looking for cutting-edge graphics or a highly competitive experience, this game may not be for you. However, if your goal is to laugh, relax, and have fun with friends, Golf With Your Friends is an easy recommendation.

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Positive Points:

• Wide variety of modes and maps.
• Accessible and fun gameplay.
• Extensive customization, including physics and aesthetics.
• Chaos and laughter guaranteed in games with friends.

Negative Points:

• Dated and recycled graphics.
• Occasional physics problems.
• Repetitive and tiring music.
• Lack of crossplay and difficulties in online multiplayer.

Rating:
Graphics: 6.0
Fun: 9.0
Gameplay: 8.5
Sound: 5.5
Performance and Optimization: 6.5
FINAL GRADE : 7.1 / 10.0