 |
 |
 |
|
Madden NFL 2007
......................... |
|
Pub.: EA
......................... |
Dev.:
EA
......................... |
|
Score: 8.6 |
|
|
|
|
Links 2004 Review
by 007
Microsoft took its time attempting to create a solid line of first party sports titles. While there has a few bumps in the road and a few failed series, the sports lineup from Microsoft is quite balanced. That's not saying that each and every title is going to give the competition a run for the money, we're just looking at a wide variety of first party sports titles.
Two years in the making, the number one selling golf franchise on the PC, Links arrives onto the Xbox a little late. While the only competition is coming from EA Sports' Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, Microsoft takes the first step onto Xbox Live with Links 2004. The game has received a new design along with new modes of gameplay, but is longtime fans of the series ready to leap onto a console to play Links?
Features:
-Best selling PC Golf Game arrives on the Xbox
-Online Multiplayer
-Downloadable Content
-480 Progressive Scan Input
-5.1 Dolby Digital
Gameplay:
Links 2004 is your ordinary golf game in terms of rules. Fans of the sport understand how the game is played and how to play it. The following are the modes of gameplay available in Links 2004:
Modes of Play -
-Career: Take your created player and take him/her through the ranks unlocking new equipment and increasing your attribute points.
-Stroke: Standard game; players compete individually to complete a round in the fewest number of strokes.
-Match: Two players compete to win a majority of individual holes.
-Nassau: A stroke play variation.
-Skins: Players compete to win individual holes that are each worth a skin.
-Stableford: A stroke play variation.
-Best Ball: Two-player team compete, with the teammates playing individually and using the better score on each hole.
Alternate Shot: Two-player teams compete, with the teammates taking every other shot.
It's easy to pick out the innovative modes from the ones that have been mixed up. For the most part, Links has many rehashed modes that have the objectives bounced around and given a new name. Modes like Nassau and Stableford are the same, but each offers a few different twists to make things interesting. Variety is definitely something gamers welcome, but more creativity might be needed.
Game Controls -
Left Analog: Swing
Right Analog: Spin control
Left Trigger: Select club
Right Trigger: Select club
Directional Pad: Aim
A Button: View aim marker/Speed up
B Button: Select shot type/Mulligan
X Button: Target area preview
Y Button: Player info
Links 2004 starts off by introducing the real-time swing control system. For players, a power meter is displayed to help gauge the swing. If you're playing on the beginner skill level, there will be a yellow like that recommends the amount of power you should use on your swing. The intermediate skill level doesn't offer this option, and it makes the game much more challenging. The real-time swing is a very delicate system, because one slip on the analog stick will result it an overswing or a missed shot.
Putting is where the game can get more difficult. Links 2004 offers some real stiff greens that can easily fool you into misdirecting your putts. The system used for putting is identical to swinging, where the power gauge is used. Again, if you're using the beginner skill level you'll be aided, but the recommendations you're given can be quite deceiving. Links 2004 makes it particularly easy to make or break putts - no matter the distance, no matter the angle. Straight putts will almost always go down in no more than two strokes, while angled putts will always bring the most trouble.
The career mode is definitely where you're going to spend most of your time playing. Before starting you're going to have to create a player that you'll be using in the game. You'll be able to customize attire and equipment. The career mode consists of five tour stages; rookie, pro, champion, medal, and legend. As you complete tour events and challenges you'll earn cash and unlock new equipment. With cash you can head over to the My Player section and buy skill points for your golfer. As you buy more skill points, you'll keep pushing your golfer's power, control, putting and recovery skills to greater levels. This will only help as you continue on through the game and play on Xbox Live.
Xbox Live Impressions -
Links 2004 is the inaugural golf game to head onto Xbox Live, and it doesn't disappoint. Links is supported by XSN Sports, so you'll be able to create and play in online leagues and tournaments. Downloadable content is also available, but Xbox Live gamers are going to have to pull out their wallets as two of the three available courses to download will contain a fee. You'll be able to play online in the standard golf gameplay modes; stroke, skins, and others. Many will find Links 2004 an enjoyable online experience, while others might be expecting a little bit more.
Graphics:
Links 2004 offers a mixed bag when it comes down to visuals. Courses represent their real life counterparts well, but the overall selection is a little disappointed compared to previous titles. Environment effects such as shadowing are done exceptionally. Weather effects are poorly executed, where rain, fog, and wind seem to bog down the game more than they help. Character designs are done very well, but we're only looking at a couple professional golfers here. When creating a player, the customizations are lacking for the most part.
Audio:
The audio in Links 2004 is one of the areas that seemed to have been forgotten in development. The commentary of Jim Nelford, Ken Venturi, and Jeff Waters is slow, sluggish, and often behind in the pace. As an example, say a golfer drains a birdie putt, you'll hear "That's a great birdie...by "Boss."" It seems as if the commentators pause or even forget your created players' nickname as they offer their congratulatory words. Much of the commentary is repeated over and over, and you�ll have more fun creating your own insight than listening to the games. Sound effects are done very well, and the support of Dolby Digital 5.1 increases the score.
Overall:
Links 2004 is definitely carried by the Xbox Live support. It would be suffice to say that a large portion of the games sales will be from Xbox Live owners anxiously waiting to take their golfing game online. If Live support was scarce from Links 2004, there wouldn't be much to offer gamers. While Links lacks customization, course depth, and overall design, the online capabilities and game extras will lend a helping hand. Not that EA Sports' Tiger Woods PGA Tour is offering anything more spectacular than Links, a little more wouldn't have hurt.
|
| Rating |
| Gameplay: | 9 |
| Graphics: | 8 |
| Sound: | 7 |
| Value: | 8 |
| Tilt: | 8 |
| Overall: 8 |
|
|
|
Login - Register
|
|
These websites might have link exchange forums or link exchange directories where webmasters can request link exchanges from a specific category or have open requests to allow any website to exchange a link.
|
|
|
