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| iGolf 2 |
| .: By: Michael Walker :: Device used: iPAQ 3835 :: :. |
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| Introduction |
| Three-dimensional golf games have a long history, dating back to the days of Windows 95 and earlier. As they were available so early, you can probably guess that golf games aren't as processor-intensive as other 3D games like first-person shooters or racing games. Logically, this makes golf games perfect for the Pocket PC, a platform with slow processor speeds and no hardware graphics acceleration. Because of this, many 3D golf games have been released, many of them of mediocre quality. The newest competitor in the arena is Cecraft's iGolf 2. But is this sequel to last year's hit title up to par? Please continue, my dear reader, and all shall be revealed. |
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| Getting Started |
| Registering your copy of iGolf 2 is slightly more time-consuming than any other serial-based registration. First you have to log in at Cecraft's iGolf 2 download site by entering your registration code. After you do that and download the newest version, it installs using ActiveSync. Cecraft's online scoring program iScore is also installed automatically. When you run iGolf 2 for the first time, you are prompted to enter your registration code again. However, the SIP doesn't seem to want to pop up, so you have to open your preferred input method before opening iGolf 2. After that, though, everything is just great. |
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| Interface |
| iGolf 2's interface is simple but effective. On the main menu, you can choose to start a new game, resume an old one, hold a practice session, or exit. If you choose to start a new game, you can choose what course to play, which type of game (Match Play or Stroke Play) and what your name is. Oddly enough, I found the game more prone to crashes if you use a custom name instead of "far". Even odder, this only happens when you have it automatically entered, whether it be via word completion or having the game automatically insert the most recent name into the box. Once you get into the game, the interface is slightly more complex but still very clean-cut. Some of the icons are confusing at first, but Cecraft has a useful PDF manual available to answer any questions you have. If you don't need all the fancy shmancy icons, you can hide the menubar by tapping on the far bottom-left icon, allowing you to more fully enjoy the lush 3D view. There are also various display options in the menu, the respective icon being in the lower right corner. Tapping the button to the right of that brings up the swing meter, which looks just like the swing meter in every other golf game out there. |
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| Gameplay |
| Though usually a sport associated with old "fogies" with nothing better to do, golf as a sport is actually quite fun and iGolf 2 is no exception. You start out at a specified point and have to hit a small, white ball into a small hole some distance away, in case you don't know how to play (weirdo :P). You have a variety of different clubs, to be used for different types of strokes. Once you have selected a club, you tap the swing icon (second from the right on the bottom) to start your swing. Cecraft has included 3 different types of swings, letting people choose which swing they prefer; the 3-tap (default), 2-tap, and 1-tap methods. This is very clever as it can also provide variety from using the same type of swing over and over again. All three involve tapping a meter at the correct time to set the preferred power and/or aim. Though they're all very similar, at least having some variety is welcome. There is one 18-hole course, which should keep you occupied for a while. Cecraft has also mentioned that there will be more free courses available to registered users at a future date. |
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| Graphics and Sound |
| iGolf 2 is visually stunning, if nothing else. The 3D graphics are smooth and the game runs at a good FPS for the most part. Sometimes the game gets a little choppy after you hit the ball, though, but you can skip watching the ball's path by tapping the screen. Not only do the graphics look great, you can also view the action from any of 4 different views: default, far, target, and top. I usually find myself just using the normal view, but being able to choose is a nice feature. When you're on the main menu, iGolf 2 plays a rock song, which I enjoyed despite it's not fitting the game at all. Once you get into the game, there is no music. The game does provide some nice sound effects, though, from hitting the ball to birds chirping in the distance. |
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| Final Thoughts |
| If you're looking to buy a golf game for the PocketPC, iGolf 2 is clearly the best buy. Priced at $25 (with a 20% discount for owners of the original iGolf), it's not the cheapest PocketPC game, but it's well worth your money if you're toting an ARM- or MIPS-powered PPC and enjoy golf. Everything's there: the gameplay, the graphics, the sound; the only problems are minor bugs and there only being 1 course available. So what are you waiting for? Tee off today! |
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| Pros |
Cons |
- Great graphics
- The best PPC golf game on the market
- Challenge others' high scores with iScore
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- Frequently freezes up when you use a custom name
- Only one course available
- Long rendering times
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