Pro Golf Paradise

Golf’s been a long time fascination for millions of us throughout the years. So it seems sensible that the game for all weathers (except during lightning storms), has been put into the palm of your hand.

Until now however, many golfing games have tended to be on the cartoonish side of playability and style. Now the game’s been given a shot in the arm by the developers of Pro Golf Paradise. As the name suggests, this game’s far more in the more serious category than any else. Not to say that Pro Golf Paradise is devoid of any fun, in fact quite the opposite – it’s serious fun!

Rather than the more conventional looks, the game is played in a bird’s eye view of the course. All that is visible is the ball, bunkers, water hazards, trees, fairway, rough and green. The rules are all that you would expect e.g. sinking the ball within the par of the course.

Where this game differs is in the detail in what you can do to influence the stroke of the ball. For example, you not only pick the club to use, but also where you wish to hit the ball (top, centre or bottom). For those of you unaware of what happens when you do this; one causes your ball to go low and spin forwards, the other will chip the ball higher and puts some backspin on the ball and the one in the middle is somewhere between the two extremes.

The controls themselves are essentially what many would be used to. You can change the angle you approach the hole in and you have the power meter at the bottom of the screen which not just controls the distance but also the accuracy of the swing. The most tricky thing about this game is the judging of the shot using this power bar. You must tap the select button twice, too quickly and you’ll scuff the ball a matter of inches, too slow and you may hit it far but hook the shot.

In fairness this game captures the finest points about the real experience. Unlike the various other titles I could mention, Pro Golf Paradise makes them all look and feel much more like crazy golf than real golf!

Despite this game lacking the more conventional appearance where you see the player taking a swing at a ball and then seeing the ball land. The game does have some some nice touches, like it zooms into the green when you’re near the hole – giving you a bit more precision and a more engaging experience.

If I was going to pick faults, the only real let down this game has is that there’s only one course of 18 holes to play. Honestly though, with such a tricky and addictive game, you’ll be doing well if you don’t end up with a handicap of 20 or more!

Rating 78%

Positives

Intuitive design

Very addictive and entertaining

Challenging but practice will make perfect

Definitely for the more serious golfer out there

Negatives

Graphics are a little basic

Only 18 holes to play so fairly repetitive

No two player mode or difficulty setting options