REVIEW: Golf:Tee it Up

Golf:Tee it Up from Activision has been released today and I got the chance to download this Xbox Live Arcade title and hit the links with my customized character. Unfortunately at time of review nobody seemed to be playing this game online,so hopefully that picks up as more gamers and golf fans pick this game up. Right from the beginning you will notice this game's uncanny resemblance to Sony's Hot Shots Golf series,from the visual style right down to the play mechanics.

Visually this game is rather impressive looking,especially when considering the game's file size and with it being an XBLA title. The character models are very smooth and well made,not exactly realistic looking but obviously that is not what Golf:Tee it Up is aiming for. The environments are also well done with nice lighting and a very colorful and vibrant palate. The frame rate is rock solid and never skips a beat. Overall a very good performing game engine powers the game.

The sound in the game is good,but nothing spectacular. The characters don't seem to have any voices but the overall ambiance of the environments (birds and the sounds of the surrounding nature) is nice and well done. Sound effects like when the club whacks the ball are believable enough and the music is simple but not distracting.

In the game you can pick and design your own character,male or female and fit them with different styles of clothes and accessories from the collection in the game. For example I made a male character with a backwards cap,jean shorts,vest,sneakers and sunglasses. He also has a fingerless glove on one hand. Golf:Tee it Up will definitely let you flex your creative muscle with it's character designer.

Control wise the game is accessible enough for just about any level of gamer,the swing is meter based (just like in Hot Shots Golf) and the right club is preselected for you on each shot. You can control the spin of the ball in mid-air which is a nice touch and the putting is easy enough to get the hang of pretty quickly. There are only two courses in the game right now,Caribbean and parkland,18 holes each. Downloadable content is promised,I am just hoping it will be available sooner rather than later.

There really are no glaring problems in Golf:Tee it Up,it's an overall great title,especially for fans of the Hot Shots Golf series. It has already been called "a Hot Shots clone with achievements" on a number of sites. So,the overall package of 36 holes,12 achievements,customizable characters,online play and overall great looking graphics,Golf:Tee it Up is a sure bet that you will not be sorry for spending your 800 msp ($10.00) on the game. So enough talk,I gotta go hit the links!

8 out of 10 (great game just lacking content right now)