Review :: Planet Minigolf (With Move)

Mini Golf is one of those games that can bring people together, and can result in an enjoyment for the whole family. Be it on the less challenging courses; or on the courses that include getting the ball through ships, castles and other objects. Well designed courses are what make the game what it is. Surely, with Planet Minigolf being a videogame it can offer all of that – right?

Unfortunately, Planet Minigolf is full of little niggles that overshadow the overall enjoyment of the game. Zen Studios have done well providing plenty of content in Planet Minigolf with the game consisting of an impressive 144 holes in total, plenty of outfits for every character, power-ups, a number of multiplayer modes, and a course designer. The issue is none of this captures the imagine and quirky enjoyment of miniature golf.

Along with a huge haul of content Planet Minigolf offers the players a big choice in regards to controls; and everyone knows a tight control system is essential to golf titles. So overall with a six-axis/duel shock control Planet Minigolf boasts three control types Easy, 3-click and Direct – sounds impressive? It would be but none of them work as well as you would hope. The Easy control scheme sees the player use a single pres of the X button. Depending on how hard you press it the faster and more powerful your shot becomes, while releasing the button will then execute the putt. The other two styles are seen and are a big part of Tiger Wood’s success – but unlike on Tiger Woods they aren’t executed well. First of all there is the 3-click system. This is something a lot of players will think is the best system to use, and one that is likely to be familiar. In Planet Minigolfs’ case the click systems timing seems slightly off. The Direct control scheme works fine when taking long distance shots, but then becomes very awkward when trying short distance puts, and tap-ins become increasing awkward and frustrating to get right.

One saving grace for Planet Minigolf was the release of Playstation Move. If you’re a Move owner, you can remove the niggling issues of the three control schemes. Move works exactly as you would expect. The player points the motion control towards flow and mimics the swing of the club. This works a lot better, and brings some much need enjoyment to the game. The main issue with using Move is the power is hard to gauge, but with some practice swings before taking the shot can improve the shot. One thing that helps the game is that the motion controls are very responsive and it can give you full control of the shot with a bit of practice.

Planet Minigolf is totally acceptable in the graphics department. You could even go as far to say they’re impressive, for a Playstation Network title. The problem is, although they are impressive, the look of the game overall is very generic. Even with the game coming with four courses, overall massing sixteen 9 hole courses; none of them have any real character that makes them stand out.

With the courses not really having any appeal visually, Zen Studios then also messed up on creating any real stand out characters to brighten the game up. Like many unlicensed sports titles, the group of characters play on pretty common stereotypes. Including an adorable Japanese girl, a perky co-ed, a buxom lady, the list goes on. The only personality the characters have is based upon the massive amount of unlockable items. So yeah, you can bring a bit of life to these mannequins with you own costumes.

The games generic feel is sealed with the most monotonous commentator you will find in a game. Add this monotone voice and the general lack of enthusiasm and you will soon be searching for the on/off option and have it switched off.

Despite the all the niggling qualities of the game mentioned so far, if you are prepared to stick it out with Planet Minigolf, and you learn the techniques, the power-ups perks and the courses you may be able to look past some of the problems and find an enjoyable game of golf. There is a vast number courses available and this easily be extended with the simple to use course creator.  Even from completing each course you start to unlock Pro, Wacky and Extreme courses, which occasionally are cleverly designed and mount a challenge. Then add on the easy to use and navigate online mode and you can find a few redeeming qualities under its ugly surface.

Overall Zen Studios really should have entered the green with a bit more confidence, and maybe of taken a few more risks when it came to the overall design and presentation. The game itself brings a lot of content in its caddy, but fails to play more than an average round of 9 holes. Move might help increase the enjoyment, but not by much,

5/10

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