Golf games used to be a bare-bones experience with lots of green, a swing power bar, and a weird chart showing you wind direction that neverGolf games used to be a bare-bones experience with lots of green, a swing power bar, and a weird chart showing you wind direction that never really made sense. If you were put off by older attempts at a decent multiplayer golf game, then Barry Bradford's Putt Panic Party is for you.
With colorful level design and very responsive physics, the variety of levels is more than decent. The ability to unlock increasing levels of difficulty adds more hazards and careful calculation to play as you measure angles and swing power to attempt to beat par. While this is simple in premise, it becomes more complicated with the fact that there is a timer that auto-swings upon expiration -- a feature that can work both for and against you, as you find that you start with too much time, and with each swing lose time so you frantically attempt to judge your corners and swing power before the ball is hit toward the hole or into oblivion. As you progress through all nine holes of a course, things only get more hectic.
The multiplayer aspect works out very well, the only caveat being the timer itself not lending well to party play. Where the game really shines is the unlock feature -- with more difficulty options, a change in course direction, the type of course, and even some avatar customization settings. This shakes things up in a good way and allows you to tailor gameplay more to your liking.
Barry Bradford's Putt Panic Party is a party game that falls a little short of delivering what could be a great experience. Without the ability to really control your putting, it puts you at the mercy of WAITING. While for a single-player match this is acceptable, passing turns between your friends can feel grueling at first, then the timer shortens and it becomes a bit of a raucous. If you don't mind feeling like your group needs to pick up the putting pace, and simultaneously slow their roll, then this is a well-designed game with enjoyable physics that makes sense. While there aren't many things to ask of a Putt-Putt game, this title does a decent job all-around. The music is mellow, the art style is pleasing, and it is pretty fun.
Pros:
-Great physics.
-Goofy cast of likable player characters.
-Good spread of levels with fresh designs.
Cons:
-Inability to hit the ball before the timer expires.
Score: 8/10
Overall this is a good indie game, and for those who enjoy playing couch co-op with friends and family, it gives a unique experience that pays off with the investment of time. While there are a few things I'd love to see updated, the game is definitely worth the price tag as-is, and its probably my favorite realistic putt-putt game on Switch.… Expand
