RazorianFly

With a certain golf game still missing from the AppStore there is room for other Dev’s to try to gain marketshare. Chillingo Ltd is one developer trying just this. We look at Par 3 Golf II and see how it fare’s as one of only a few golf games currently available. So let’s hit the links and tee up!

Par 3 Golf II has a lot to offer.  It is pretty much a full featured golf game on your iPhone.  There are a total of four 9-hole courses, all the courses are three dimensional meaning some nasty hills and sandtraps, realistic wind, and physics.  This is just hitting on only some of the features.  This game packs a lot!

Gameplay

Before teeing up a round a golf be sure to read the Help section.  Things can be a little confusing if you dive right into the game.  The Help section explains all commands that are available within the game, or if you are impatient like me start a game and just click on everything and see what it does!  Next up you get to choose the course you would like to play.  There are four courses, all 9 holes.  Each course contains different backgrounds and the holes are varied on each.  You can also select to play through the course by yourself or play against the games AI.

When you start the game you will notice that the play is very similar to any golf game on the most popular gaming systems.  Information such as yard to the hole, wind speed and direction, and club choice are all provided for each hole.  The game will automatically choose the proper club for you on each stroke, and it does a perfect job doing so.  If for some reason you want to use your want to use a 6 iron instead of a 7 iron you can manually choose your club.  When you have your shot all aimed up, by taping on the left/right arrows its time to start your swing.  To do you you either click on the golfer or in the lower right hand corner and up pops the power meter.  Now just don’t go full power on every shot!  You will find yourself dumping lots of sand out of your shoes, or worse…in the water.

Don’t underestimate a slight breeze.  You would be surprised how much a little wind can affect the flight of your ball.  When you finally to make it to the green it’s time to putt.  Some of the greens are very challenging and a few completely killed my scores.  Getting 8 strokes on a par 3 is very embarassing.

Once you hit the ball the screen will almost always turn into an overhead view of the hole.  This makes it very easy to see exactly where your ball is headed, whether its for the pin or deep in some sand.

Graphics/Audio

Graphics are well done.  From looking at screenshots of other golf games this one definitely rises about the rest.  It reminds me a lot of Tiger Woods Golf, in both the visuals and gameplay.  One gripe I have is that while the different courses offer different fairway setups the graphics are basically just a skin.  For example, playing on a desert course simply places a brown layer over what used to be green.

Audio is sparse which makes sense since its golf.  The swing of the club and contact with the ball are all there, along with sinking it in the cup.  There is the ability to play your own music during the game.

Overall

Par 3 Golf II offers a pretty good “simulation” golf experience on the iPhone.  The AI can be downright frustrating at times to play against.  Since there are no difficulty levels this means that you really have to improve your game.  Once you get in the swing of things, no pun intended, you will find yourself going stroke for stroke against the AI.  When the AI hits that water trap you will find yourself let out a sigh of relief.  If you are into golf I can highly recommend you will enjoy this game.

Current status: Recommended

Reviewed at: v2.0
Reviewed on Firmware: 2.2
Download size: 0.7MB
Released on: 10th Jan 2009
Retails for: $4.99

Compatible with: iPod touch Gen 1 & 2 / iPhone Classic / iPhone 3G