Score
Gameplay:	8
Graphics:	5
Sound:	6
FunFactor:	8
PlasmaFactor:	10
Overall:	7.4

Real World Golf Review
May 4, 2006 by Kenneth Seward, Jr.

by Kenneth Seward, Jr. - May 4, 2006

I have always liked a good golf game (I use them to prop up my coffee table). There’s nothing like a brand new copy of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 to help with the treacherous task of balancing my morning coffee on a wobbly table. However Real World Golf, the new golf game developed by MadCatz, might actually get played.

Step into the "Real" World

To start I would like to say that I was joking with my above statement. Even though I’m not really into golf games I can admit that there are some good ones out there. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 and Hot Shots Golf Four are two great golf games. Personally, I would rather play "real" golf then play a golf game. This brings me to Real World Golf. Being the first game developed by MadCatz, the company specializing in manufacturing and distributing video game accessories, it’s a surprisingly good game. I must admit when I heard about a game being developed by MadCatz I was a little worried. Like I said before, they are known for there third party accessories for consoles (and the PC) and not for making games. Also, their controllers aren’t the best out there when it comes to responsiveness (their Xbox 360 controller is pretty good though). The funny thing is that, Real World Golf’s biggest selling point is its controller.

You see in order to play this new golf game, you must have a controller called the GameTrak System (don’t worry it’s included with the game). Using gloves that are attached to the system with retractable elastic strings, GameTrak is able to accurately track your body’s movements while playing. What this means is that you no longer use just your thumbs to play but your whole body. When you first start the game you are required to create a player. After selecting your avatar, the GameTrak System records your height buy having you put your hands on your head while standing straight up (of course you have to be wearing the gloves and have them attached to it first). Then you choose to play either left or right handed. When playing, the GameTrak uses this information to track your arms so that when you swing them the onscreen character does to. It’s like your really playing golf. Not only does your character swing when you do but he or she swings how you do as well. If your stance is off before you hit the ball then your shot will be off too. If you don’t swing hard or fast enough then the ball won’t travel as far as it should. This is what makes Real World Golf feel so real!  

If you’re not great at golf there is no need to worry because Real World Golf offers an Academy mode. In this mode you are taught the basic golfing techniques. There is even a series of lessons that come with a video tutorial. You can learn everything from holding a golf club properly to how you should putt. Your even get a miniature golf club to use when playing to help with your swing. The best part about this mode is that the techniques learned here can be used on a real golf course. That doesn’t mean that by playing this game you’ll become the next great golfer (man I wish). It does mean, however, that you will be able to at least play real golf without looking foolish.  

Grass Stains on White Shoes…

 

The graphics in Real World Golf don’t hold a candle (or golf club) to the likes of other golf games on the market. Everything in the game suffers from looking "good enough", graphics that are good enough to be seen without hurting the eyes. With that being said graphics aren’t what makes this a good game. It’s how fun the game is to play. Don’t get me wrong, graphic quality is important. I am just saying that you can still enjoy this game even though it’s not the best looking game on the market.

Shhhh!

 

I guess in real life it’s important to be quite when people play golf so they can concentrate. Real World Golf must feel the same way because it is incredibly quite when you’re playing. This element helps to make the game more realistic. However, this also bugs me. After playing nine out of eighteen wholes of golf the silence starts to unnerve me. I mean, I don’t even hear any birds. The announcer does say things from time to time and the crowed will chime in after every other shot but, I still felt like the game was too quite. This might just be me nick-picking, seeing as how I don’t play golf in real life. With that being said, there isn’t much I could say about the sound in Real World Golf. When sound is heard it’s ok.

Is It Fun?

 

Real World Golf is a pretty fun game. You are much more involved in the action onscreen then you are when playing other golf games. It all depends on whether or not the idea of playing golf is fun to you. I don’t really enjoy the sport but I had a good time playing. There is even a multiplayer mode so you can play with your friends. You just have to give them the gloves when it’s their turn.

Hand me my Plasma Club…

 

The best thing about Real World Golf is again, its GameTrak System. You really feel like your "playing" golf and not just playing a golf game. Also, while you’re playing you’re learning real techniques used in golf. That’s cool even if you never get to play "real" golf.

 

The Bottom Line…

 

Real World Golf is a fun game that introduces another new way of experiencing a video game. Now all those people who violently throw their arms around when playing video games in hopes of improving their chances are given a game just for them!