Cursed to Golf

Its artistic section is really nice. Pixel art is already something very common among indie titles, but this one, with this chibi protagonist, has made us fall in love. The title works really well.

Obviously based on golf, the platforming, puzzle and roguelike elements make a very creative twist on the sport of stroking a ball towards a hole. The difficulty level is high, the ball gets additional properties, the game's ambient is comically sombre, and the soundtrack is exquisite. All this put together creates an original and very rewarding experience for all Nintendo Switch players.

Cursed to Golf is an extremely compelling, if also unforgiving, game. It succeeds at being an incredibly unique take on both the rogue-like and 2D golf formulas. The difficulty may be off putting to some, though, and an argument can be made that it would be better off with some adjustments made in that department. That being said, it is hard to deny the underlying quality and charm that this game exudes with every swing of the club. Cursed to Golf is a big deal for relative newcomer developer Chuhai Labs. While the studio has developed and published several titles and their lineage can be traced back through multiple companies well represented on Nintendo platforms, Cursed to Golf may very well be the game that puts them on the map.

Cursed to Golf balances harsh roguelike elements with playful and endearing level design and game mechanics. This, combined with the gorgeous art and excellent tunes make for a beautifully well-rounded package that’s hard to put down.

Cursed to Golf is an interesting and enjoyable golf game, mixing creative power-ups and roguelike game design with tried-and-true golf gameplay. Though we felt the roguelike elements held this one back a bit and the soundtrack can sometimes get irritating, the polished gameplay, appealing art style, and high replay value make this one an easy recommendation. If you’re at all a fan of golf games, we’d suggest you pick this up immediately, but even if you’re just looking to try something new, we’d encourage you to give it a shot.

The general course layouts may lose their shine after a while, but the core gameplay and fun tricks you can pull off with Ace Cards ensure that the moment-to-moment action rarely lets you down. As long as you’re fine with the heavy cost of failure, you’ll likely get hours upon hours of joy from this curse.

Cursed to Golf is a wholly unique golfing experience that is well worth checking out. The mechanics shake up the golf formula, allowing it to stand out among its peers and breathe new life (ironic, huh?) into this sports genre.The visuals and sound design across the board are a marvel, yet its frustratingly difficult gameplay can deter certain individuals from the key replayability this golf-roguelike offers.If you’re anything like me, your little golf would-be champion will be spending more than eternity in purgatory. If that’s even possible.

I've got to give credit to the incredible sprite art and wonderful animation of the characters, but don't let their cutesy appearance fool you: Cursed to Golf is a truly punishing experience that isn't well suited for kids who might otherwise be drawn in by its style. Hit these links only if you're a dedicated golfer who's ready to tap into the fullest extent of your patience. [Issue #62 – November/December 2022, p. 27]

Cursed to Golf is a great idea for a game. It’s a very difficult 2D golf game with precise controls. Although it’s a Roguelike, I enjoyed it less like I enjoyed Hades, and more like I enjoyed Super Meat Boy. I just can’t believe there are no multiplayer options! And there are some bugs that need fixing. Playing Cursed to Golf was great fun for a few hours, but as a single-player-only experience, I’m not sure how many players will be captivated long enough to try to conquer all 18 holes.