GolfStar Review

GolfStar offers a realistic approach to the game of golf and brings all the emotion that comes along with it. Whether the excitement comes from a single player or multiplayer match, it’s always exciting to sink a 14 yard putt on the last hole to claim the victory. The frustrating side is also present with difficult slopes that can take a seemingly easy putt and cause players to misjudge and end with a bogey. This is an all-around enjoyable golfing experience with long, short, easy and challenging courses, all with beautiful landscapes.

GolfStar begins easy with small courses, no hazards and little wind which provides an easier time to figure out the gameplay. By tapping the screen, players are able to drag the location of their shot to where they would like it to go, the target zone. What makes it difficult is tapping the power meter at the precise time to get a near perfect location. As the power meter goes up, players have the choice to max out the power or stop it at the precise moment so they don’t overshoot. After tapping the power meter, the bar comes back down where the player taps it again to aim the shot. Right down the middle and player has a perfect shot, but too much to the right or left and the shot may drift.

It’s difficult to get a perfect shot and players will use their best judgment on where to set up the target zone and guess how far the ball will drift and roll once it lands. It's especially difficult if they are taking a shot on an angled slope that will cause the ball to drift even further left or right. There are also abilities to purchase (in-game money) that allow players to spin the ball in different ways providing for even further tactical gameplay.

GolfStar is only playable with an internet connection, including single player mode. That’s slightly disappointing, but the major disappointment comes from the time based gameplay. This is a free-to-play game that requires “hearts” to play a round. It's possible to play 4 to 5 rounds before hearts run out, and when they do, players will need to wait up to an hour for their hearts to recharge. It’s not horrible as there are other ways to earn hearts, such as leveling up, but it does slow down the play rate.

GolfStar is quite addicting and offers a fun gaming experience for those who enjoy precisely navigating their way to each flag on a number of fun and unique courses. There are plenty of impact items and upgrades for players to earn and equip along the way adding to the customization of character and golfing abilities. It’s even more fun for players to take the game online and show off their skills in a short 3 hole match, or longer.

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