Review: Eagle Eye Golf - PS2 - PS2 - HEXUS.net

19th hole anyone?

Unsurprisingly, Eagle Eye Golf uses the tried and trusted method of using the right analogue stick to control the golf club and therefore if you don’t move the stick in a fluid motion you’ll hook or slice the shot. You’re helped by a power metre that increases as you swing and a flag symbol that shows you how much power you’ll need in order to reach the hole and as the ball travels through the air you’ll see a speed trail as the camera shifts around the action and places itself in front of the ball. It’s not rocket science, but the control system is fluid and means that you’ll need a small element of skill in order to pull off those perfect drives. Anyone who’s played golfing games such as Tiger Woods will be underwhelmed by the simplistic controls and the added help in the form of the flag symbol, the fact is that Eagle Eye Golf is far too easy and we were able to consistently pull off perfect shots without even looking at the screen. It’s clearly aimed at family fun rather than the ambitious golfer who revels in getting their technique spot on.

Like every golf game, you can choose your clubs (by pressing the L1 or R1 buttons), shot type, putting style and can view the wind speed. The spin of the shot is controlled via the d-pad and the square button can be used for special shots; it’s fairly simple stuff that you’ll pick up in minutes. As your golfer moves around the course he’ll also receive experience points by pulling off accurate shots. These points can then be distributed (RPG style) amongst your golfer’s attributes (power, control, impact, and fade and draw.). Unfortunately these are the only two aspects of Eagle Eye Golf that make it different from the likes of Everybody’s Golf.

The courses are well designed and have plenty of environmental hazards, such as trees, bunkers and water features. Strangely though, if you land a ball in the rough it feels no different than taking a shot from the fairway, and although this doesn’t totally spoil the game (it’s far too easy to hit the fairway) it’s an unnecessary flaw.

The budget cartoon-style visuals will appeal to kids, but adults won’t be impressed with the static scenery. We’ve seen it all before and coupled with some annoying character voices it’s by far the least appealing aspect of this golfing experience.

If you’re looking for a deep golfing simulation you won’t find it here. What you will find is an accessible, fun game with graphics reminiscent of the cartoon-style of Everybody’s Golf coupled with a pick up and play style that will keep you amused on those cold winter nights. Eagle Eye golf is a family game, and whilst it doesn’t have the technical depth of the serious golfing games on the market, it is a great deal of fun. Eagle Eye Golf doesn't break any new boundaries, but it's a decent starter game for those youngsters looking for their first fun golfing experience.

Pros
Plenty of game modes
Course creator
Well designed courses

Cons
Too easy
Annoying voice acting and dated graphics

Eagle Eye Golf is simple fun for the family, seroius golfers need not apply.

HEXUS Right2Reply

HEXUS World Leading HEXUS Right2Reply initiative invites manufacturers, their representatives and vendors which supply HEXUS with products for technical editorial evaluation, to comment on the articles that we publish. If they choose to respond, we publish their response verbatim.