We have come a long way when it comes to simulation games, especially when it comes to the PC. Hell, farming simulator is a massive thing that gets yearly installments on par with the Madden series. So when a copy of 3D Mini Golf came across my desk, I figured I’d see if it could at least hold up against a real game of mini golf. I went out of my way to bring you all the best possible review by spending an afternoon at my local putt-putt golf course before getting into this review; only the best for all of you fine readers.
Mini Golf doesn’t require much in the way of next generation graphics, but it does need to have good ball mechanics. The problem with 3D Mini Golf, among the many more that I’ll get into, is that this game just isn’t ready for prime-time. 3D Mini Golf looks like it came out in 2008, and even on a gaming PC that was used to review The Witcher 3, the game runs very choppy at times. Visual stutter happens from time to time when you adjust the camera and I’m thinking that the game has no AA features as the jaggies onscreen are ridiculous at times. How in the world does a game about hitting a tiny white ball, in a pretty barren environment, with little background animations run so un-optimized is beyond me.
Okay, but how does the ball mechanics work you ask. They function pretty okay, but the games holes are so boring that it feels they were pulled right from a rundown 1960 putt-putt course. The game has a number of areas to play mini-golf, each with eighteen holes, but they offer little in the way of variety. Mini Golf is a fun thing to do with a bunch of friends, but when you can create better holes in the comfort of your own backyard, then a PC version just isn’t necessary. What makes things worse is that there are much better and more inventive Mini-Golf games out on Steam. But even with all this, there was a chance to salvage some fun with the multiplayer that the game touted on its Steam store page.
3D Mini Gold does offer up multiplayer features, but they were a bit disingenuous in how they spin it. We live in the year 2015, so when a company says multiplayer it’s safe to assume that means online multiplayer, especially when your game is a PC title that requires you to be online to download the game. While you can play locally with a few friends, there is no online mode to speak of in 3D Mini Golf. I know I go on about how I hate online games this, and online games that, but this isn’t a competitive shooter people. 3D Mini Golf is a casual game at best, so having the ability to meet up with people online, click on the Steam supported voice chat, and spending an hour or so golfing with some friends is a must, especially if you want the title to have any sort of longevity with players.
3D Mini Golf just released last week and it’s already been forgotten under the weight of the Steam Summer Sale and other new indie titles. The game features boring holes, has very touchy controls that make it easy to sent the ball flying across the park, no PC focused multiplayer, and a graphics engine that sputters more than a car on its last legs of life. Add to that the fact that the game offers up little challenge with only 3 courses and no online interactions 3D Mini Golf is one to be passed over. I would have at least loved the option to makes my own holes as the ones here are so bland. The game is priced at $14.99, which is far too much for what the game offers, but you can pick it up during the Steam Summer Sale for $5.99 which is better, but sill too high to recommend. But if you really want to get your very basic Mini Golf fix, at least you can rest easy knowing the game at least functions.
*A copy was provided for this review*
About Author
