Pro 18: World Tour Golf

• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Golf
• Similar Games: Hot Shots Golf (PlayStation), Links LS (IBM PC Compatible), Pro 18: World Tour Golf (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

Pro 18: World Tour Golf attempts to bring the authenticity of golf to the PlayStation console by incorporating real-life courses and world-renowned PGA and LPGA tournament players. Included is the 1998 United States PGA champion Vijay Singh and Mark O'Mera, who won both the 1998 Masters tournament and British Open championship. There are eight players in all with the ability to create your own golfer.

There are various game modes including Practice, Stroke Play, Fourball, Shoot Out, Skins, and a Tournament. In the Practice mode, you can practice putting, driving, and chipping the ball on the course and hole of your choice. This is ideal for new players unfamiliar with the ways of professional golf. Stroke Play is simply nine or 18 holes of golf where players try to finish with as few strokes as possible.

The Fourball option includes two teams of two golfers competing for the lowest score. One person hits the ball and the other team must beat or match that person's score. Whoever has the lowest number of strokes on a hole wins and tees off on the next hole. A Shoot Out involves a money-based tournament where players compete on a hole-to-hole basis. Whoever finishes the hole with the lowest score wins a sum of survival money; whoever has the most strokes is eliminated. Skins is much like the Shoot Out only players aren't eliminated and the hole payments are much more.

Finally the Tournament consists of four rounds of golf played in the span of four days. There are initially 72 golfers competing throughout the first two days; at the end of the second day, the 36 best golfers advance while the other half is cut from the tournament. In order to win money, players must finish somewhere in the top 18.

Pro 18: World Tour Golf is played with a 4-click swing meter that allows you to apply spin and add extra oomph to your shots. It allows you to draw or fade around obstacles (hitting the ball left or right), chip from the fairway, and other things found in professional golf. There are three different real-life courses to play though including the Ireland based Royal County Down, The Lost City located in South Africa, and the United State's Coeur d'Alene.

Additionally, Pro 18: World Tour Golf supports analog control and the PlayStation's Multi Tap for up to eight players. Customized golfers, tournament settings and advancements, and course statistics can be saved via Memory Card.

Roots & Influences

This PlayStation version of Pro 18: World Tour Golf is a conversion of the PC game of the same name.

Review: Overall

If Pro 18: World Tour Golf was supposed to raise the ante on golfing simulations, then Psygnosis has obviously been living in a cave throughout the 32-bit gaming era. Perhaps that statement was a bit harsh; while it may not be the worst game the genre has ever seen, it's swimming at the bottom of the lake with the algae.

Before the bashing commences, I'll start off by giving praise where praise is due. Throughout the development stages of Pro 18: World Tour Golf, it's obvious Psygnosis was inspired by the power of creativity and being among the first to do something never seen before. Almost every other golfing simulation features a two or three-click swinging meter. Triple clicking involves a click to initiate the meter, a second to judge how powerful the swing will be, and the third being accuracy.

Pro 18: World Tour Golf features a three-click swinging meter with a little extra something. That something is an accuracy meter that requires utmost precision; this will judge how much the ball is hooked or sliced upon ball impact. Unfortunately, this is an utterly annoying feature that cannot be disabled. For one thing, the meter pops up right after the downswing and the third-click is executed. The idea is to hold that third-click and release it as the accuracy meter positions itself in the middle. This is easier said than done; the meter moves so incredibly fast that it will take a miracle to hit the ball with accuracy.

The graphics engine is also lacking. While the three courses are realistically designed with adequate textures, it's often difficult to line up your shot. There are no overhead map views showing your ball in relation to the pin or unrealistic, though helpful distance arches. Additionally, the PlayStation has to load each view frame by frame; this is especially annoying when swinging the camera around. Though the developers were able to incorporate better graphics while doing this, the engine is slow as molasses.

All the professional PGA golfers and selectable player characters are represented with digitized full-motion video. While there's nothing wrong with the digitization visually, it looks a bit awkward on polygonal textures. The animation and fluidity of the golfers, however, is less than adequate. More times than not, the full-motion video sequences are choppy or skip frames.

In conclusion, Pro 18: World Tour Golf doesn't even begin to measure up to other PlayStation golfing games. With a slow graphics engine, a lack of aiming and caddy utensils, and a horrendous swing meter, it lacks in the most important aspect: enjoyment. Though the actual gameplay physics are on par, what's the point of playing something that only frustrates you?

Review: Enjoyment

Because of the fast-moving accuracy meter, Pro 18: World Tour Golf is often frustrating and annoying. With the omission of an overhead map, course walkthroughs, and lining arches, it is difficult to align your ball with the hole. While this may resemble a more realistic side of golf, it certainly doesn't reflect the enjoyable, relaxing moods the sport is known for.

Review: Graphics

While the courses are adequately detailed with realistic textures, the graphics engine is slower than drying cement. Because each frame/scene must be redrawn, it takes forever to position the camera to your liking. And while they look okay, the digitized golfers are a tad on the choppy side.

Review: Sound

It sounds like golf; the birds come out to chirp on sunny days and the crowd moans or cheers after a good or bad shot is made. Though it's not terribly groundbreaking, the ambience is quite relaxing.

Review: Replay Value

There are a few different options such as the Tournament and a few multi-player modes, but the gameplay is lacking too much to warrant extended play. Those who are easily frustrated and annoyed will find something else to play within a matter of hours.

Review: Documentation

Aside from the annoyingly wide yet small font used, the manual thoroughly outlines the mechanics of gameplay and gives a much-needed club chart for distance. There's also a glossary of golfing terms for the novice players!

Production Credits