The Bottom Line
Pros
- Course editor
- Graphics look okay
Cons
- Can't control the camera
- Physics and controls are too unpredictable
- Courses are bland
Description
- No camera control.
- Bad gameplay controls.
- Included course editor can be somewhat fun.
- Graphics and sound are acceptable.
Guide Review - 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures Review (XBLA)
3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures for the Xbox Live Arcade seems like it would be a good fit. We always liked the minigolf modes found in the Hot Shots Golf Games (on Sony systems), so we figured Sierra Online and developer Wanako Studios would at least try to copy those games and produce something halfway decent. We were wrong. Instead, we have crummy course design, bad controls, no camera control, and an overwhelming lack of real entertainment for our 800 MS point investment.There are 36 holes spread across three different themed courses. A carnival, an old west town, and outer space. Some of the holes are sort of interesting, such as when you have to putt around an entire (small) planet in outer space or through the bumper cars at the carnival, but for the most part the holes are rather uninspired. You can also use a course editor to make your own holes, which can be fun, but it is still hindered by the poor gameplay.
What do I mean by poor gameplay? How about the fact that you have zero camera control. Some of the holes twist and turn and go on for a long ways, but you can't ever actually see what the heck you are doing because the camera is firmly planted behind your character. There are three control options - hold and then release the button at the right power level, a three click style like Hot Shots Golf, or an analog stick style like Tiger Woods - but they are all so inconsistent and hard to read that you will absolutely struggle to make decent shots. It seems like the power meter changes from one hole to the next, and while a medium strength shot might go 20 feet on one hole, it'll fly off the course on the next hold and leave you scratching your head.
This game is frustrating and just not all that much fun to play. It does have local and online multiplayer, but it isn't all that fun thanks to the poor controls. Skip it.
