Golf Story

 Switch
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 346 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 274 out of 346
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 346
  3. Negative: 24 out of 346
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  1. DigitalRain420
    Dec 27, 2022
    9
    Since I created an account solely for crapping all over its sequel, it's only fair that I lavish praise on one of my favourite games of all times. I like 2D golf games. I like JRPG mechanics and narratives. This game offers both of those things along with heaps of character, solid gameplay, a generous helping of secrets and side hustles, and incredible music and sound design.

    I'll deduct    Since I created an account solely for crapping all over its sequel, it's only fair that I lavish praise on one of my favourite games of all times. I like 2D golf games. I like JRPG mechanics and narratives. This game offers both of those things along with heaps of character, solid gameplay, a generous helping of secrets and side hustles, and incredible music and sound design.

    I'll deduct one point because it was apparently very buggy upon release (I first played it in late 2018 and didn't suffer through it) and because the game forces you to finish tournaments and challenges without an option to quit even when you've screwed up so badly that as to put yourself in an unwinnable position.

    I'm not a fan of disc golf, but I'm not going to punish the game because I struggle with it.

    Overall, this game is to Sonic 3 and Knuckles while its sequel is to Sonic the Hedgehog 4 mixed with the disastrous GBA port of Sonic 1.    … Expand
  2. Charsquatch
    Dec 25, 2022
    10
    Excellent game for golf fans with the best music in vidio games in the past 20 years.
  3. lduaarte
    Nov 23, 2022
    6
    It is a good game. The golf mechanics itself are perfect for a 2D game.

    However the game is longe. Repetitive. And the story takes a lot of time to keep going. It was good for the first 5hours.
  4. Method__Man
    Jul 10, 2022
    9
    I rarely find games funny, but this one really had me cracking up. It’s a subtle, non-cheesy humour. Story is fun, gameplay is tight.

    Basically it’s Mario golf for the GBC or GBA but more story, cleaner and more expanded gameplay, and loads of humour. For what its supposed to be, easily a 10/10 IF it didn’t have DISC golf. That dropped a full point for me. Otherwise Not sure how you could    I rarely find games funny, but this one really had me cracking up. It’s a subtle, non-cheesy humour. Story is fun, gameplay is tight.

    Basically it’s Mario golf for the GBC or GBA but more story, cleaner and more expanded gameplay, and loads of humour. For what its supposed to be, easily a 10/10 IF it didn’t have DISC golf. That dropped a full point for me. Otherwise Not sure how you could remotely improve this formula. Well done    … Expand
  5. Wrecktangled
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    I dont like Golf, but I quite like Golf Story. Just enough RPG elements to keep you invested. Yet the little story is compelling as well to keep you wanting to come back. And the little golfing game isnt too bad either!
  6. Parkerx87
    Oct 13, 2021
    8
    Fun and challenging game. Even if you don't like golf you will have a lot of fun with it.
  7. Skurttish
    Aug 31, 2021
    8
    A fun RPG with a good premise, plot, and execution. It’s especially impressive given that it was developed by such a small team. The levels are extremely varied, and that helps keep things interesting, although it was a bit too long (it took me 16 hours, and it could have been more like 10-12 given that the basic golf gameplay doesn’t change much).

    I took two points off. The first was    A fun RPG with a good premise, plot, and execution. It’s especially impressive given that it was developed by such a small team. The levels are extremely varied, and that helps keep things interesting, although it was a bit too long (it took me 16 hours, and it could have been more like 10-12 given that the basic golf gameplay doesn’t change much).

    I took two points off. The first was because it’s difficult to judge the slope of the land you’re on when putting; just having an arrow labeled ‘slope’ isn’t detailed enough to give you a sense of how great the slope is. The second was because the game was too easy, in my opinion. I felt like I was able to beat almost everything on my first attempt, until I made it to the last level—and even then, it was only two tries.

    Still, a good game, and an easy recommendation.    … Expand
  8. Rumblejack
    Jun 28, 2021
    8
    This is my first sport game i played. Sadly i never mastered the last golf course. But i loved the 20 hours i played this game. The art style, characters, story, music. I really liked it!
  9. Carlosware15
    Jun 27, 2021
    9
    Great game, charming story, the golf mechanics are really fun to learn and play. Only bad thing is the ocasional glitch.
  10. Phuz
    Jun 3, 2021
    1
    Outside of being hugely over priced, this game couldn't be less fun if it tried. The moles were the worst idea possible.

    Graphics - beyond **** Sound - below mediocre Gameplay is bloody awful. Overall experience is bad and it is expensive to be so bad. So many better games with lower prices and worse reviews. This is a whole other level of **** I persevered with it well longer than it    Outside of being hugely over priced, this game couldn't be less fun if it tried. The moles were the worst idea possible.

    Graphics - beyond ****
    Sound - below mediocre
    Gameplay is bloody awful.

    Overall experience is bad and it is expensive to be so bad. So many better games with lower prices and worse reviews.

    This is a whole other level of **** I persevered with it well longer than it deserved and now I hate it even more for wasting my time as well as my money. Deleted and good riddance. This should be on a permanent 89p sale. Rive was actually 89p when I bought Golf Story and Rive smashes it all over the show.    … Expand
  11. L00zakPanCake
    May 26, 2021
    9
    Really fantastic game! It's easy to learn but pretty hard to master. The story is really nice and engaging. It's a 9/10 from me.
  12. KattEliz
    Apr 15, 2021
    8
    Golf Story is a super charming game that combines easy-going, nostalgic visuals with simple game mechanics, that while very easy to pick up, still leave plenty of room for error and improvement as you progress. Each new stage provides different environmental challenges and quests so your list of tasks never feels too repetitive despite you know, the entire game being just about golf.Golf Story is a super charming game that combines easy-going, nostalgic visuals with simple game mechanics, that while very easy to pick up, still leave plenty of room for error and improvement as you progress. Each new stage provides different environmental challenges and quests so your list of tasks never feels too repetitive despite you know, the entire game being just about golf. Definitely worth picking up, and has a 2-player mode to add some replay-ability long after you've completed the game. The only complaint I have is that the golf frisbee mini games easily have the most difficult learning curve/controls, and can sometimes tread into frustration rather than rewarding challenges.… Expand
  13. DinoBeam
    Apr 4, 2021
    0
    NOT READY FOR SALE! WARNING!

    This is a great idea that simply isn't ready for sale, and thus becomes a frustrating disgrace, only play this game for educational purposes to get ideas about what an rpg could be, not for fun because many frustrations are ahead -SAVING and quitting DOES NOT SAVE YOUR GAME! for some reason saving is only triggered by entering a new area, you could do    NOT READY FOR SALE! WARNING!

    This is a great idea that simply isn't ready for sale, and thus becomes a frustrating disgrace, only play this game for educational purposes to get ideas about what an rpg could be, not for fun because many frustrations are ahead

    -SAVING and quitting DOES NOT SAVE YOUR GAME! for some reason saving is only triggered by entering a new area, you could do all the quests for an area, "save" and quit, an loose it all

    -The game froze because I used a frisbee, and this is a pixel art game! [in 2021]

    -many other people are having game breaking crashes

    -I was in the middle of a long course, I pressed pause to do something, saw there was a world map button, I excitedly pressed it only to be instantly teleported to my house without warning, having to walk all the way back to that Course and that guy to start the quest over again

    Sometimes you don’t even know if something is a quest or not!
    -a guy tending to the grass hints that he needs it cut, if you swing near a bunch of grass it gets cut, so logically you think you need to cut the bunches of grass near him, but you can’t! And that process is super frustrating

    -You are told to go get a special item, I already had it and didn’t know it because it was called something different, and the quest giver did not acknowledge it

    -Your skills are never explained

    -Camera doesn’t let you see where you are trying to aim for a lot of the time! In a Golf Game! So frustrating

    -Aiming shot and switching clubs are on the same joystick, meaning you **** up all the time, terrible decision

    -There is a race where you need to run, I had no clue you could run    … Expand
  14. jandleslapper
    Mar 22, 2021
    7
    Good base mechanics but I have found that (on the switch) some of my inputs seem to be ignored for a given hit, resulting in inconsistent results (sometimes). At the beginning of the story there seems to be characters, and gameplay elements that would be developed later in the game, and whil each level does bring something new to the table there is a distinct feeling that the developer bitGood base mechanics but I have found that (on the switch) some of my inputs seem to be ignored for a given hit, resulting in inconsistent results (sometimes). At the beginning of the story there seems to be characters, and gameplay elements that would be developed later in the game, and whil each level does bring something new to the table there is a distinct feeling that the developer bit off more than they could handle and that the final product is alot less than what could have been. This is also apparent in the narrative, which although funny, seems to have been cut back due to a lack of time or resources. The result is a game that, while fun, feels a little short, and occasionally repetitive.… Expand
  15. TheWhalez
    Dec 14, 2020
    7
    This is a pretty decent classic golf game mixed with elements of witty writing and RPG-like progression. The story is straightforward. You are an amateur golfer who dreams to be amongst the pros one day. The writing, while never makes me belly-laugh out loud, gives me chuckles here and there. The main character is likable but a bit too silly at times. The ending also leaves a lot to beThis is a pretty decent classic golf game mixed with elements of witty writing and RPG-like progression. The story is straightforward. You are an amateur golfer who dreams to be amongst the pros one day. The writing, while never makes me belly-laugh out loud, gives me chuckles here and there. The main character is likable but a bit too silly at times. The ending also leaves a lot to be desired but maybe the sequel will pick up from there.
    However, the gameplay is very satisfying. It's the simple three-click mechanics that you have seen in other gold games (e.g. Everybody's Golf or Pangya) but what keep the gameplay from being stale are the course gimmicks. Some course features molerats which move your golfball from one place to another. Others have this particular area in the water that if you land your golfball there, instead of sinking, a turtle rises to the surface to bounce the golfball off its shell, increasing the distance even further. Sadly, only a few courses make full use of their mechanics together but overall, I find golfing in this game pretty fun.
    You can also challenge your friends to play against each other in a multiplayer mode which is easy to pick-up and play.

    I recommend this game to anyone who wants to have a chill time playing golf.    … Expand
  16. Gontrand00
    Dec 7, 2020
    9
    This feels like a really nice forgotten SNES game.

    A nice and smooth RPG, with some challenge but not too frustrating or stressing. It's the kind of game you play to have fun and relax. Even if I am not fond of golf, I am fond of that game. It's well written and has some good jokes. You feel like you are following an anime or something. It of course has some flaws, but they are minor    This feels like a really nice forgotten SNES game.

    A nice and smooth RPG, with some challenge but not too frustrating or stressing. It's the kind of game you play to have fun and relax. Even if I am not fond of golf, I am fond of that game. It's well written and has some good jokes. You feel like you are following an anime or something.

    It of course has some flaws, but they are minor and are more about the ''polish'' aspect of the game more than anything. Probably not for everyone, but if you like relaxing game with RPG mechanics and are nostalgic of SNES games, this is clearly for you !    … Expand
  17. MrTusks
    Dec 3, 2020
    5
    I'm finding Golf Story difficult to love. The golf itself is great, once you figure out for yourself how to play because the game WILL NOT tell you. But everything else seems to get in the way of just playing more golf. The pixel art graphics also clash terribly with the HD text and music. Plus where the save points are is a guessing game--you can select "save and quit" from the menu, butI'm finding Golf Story difficult to love. The golf itself is great, once you figure out for yourself how to play because the game WILL NOT tell you. But everything else seems to get in the way of just playing more golf. The pixel art graphics also clash terribly with the HD text and music. Plus where the save points are is a guessing game--you can select "save and quit" from the menu, but where you load in next time will be long before you left off, making you repeat content a lot.

    Supposedly one of the greats on Switch. I don't really see it.    … Expand
  18. AsrielD31
    Oct 28, 2020
    8
    Сюжет средний; геймплей хороший; саундтрек неплох; управление неплохое, но не всегда отзывчивое; сложность средняя(под конец выше среднего); длительность средняя, но под конец игра кажется чуток затянутой;
    Сюжет в целом стандартный, но я повёлся на него, ведь обзорщики восхлавляли его, но он оказался полным клише и вообще не цепляющим.
    Игра плохо обучает играть сама в себя(в начале все    Сюжет средний; геймплей хороший; саундтрек неплох; управление неплохое, но не всегда отзывчивое; сложность средняя(под конец выше среднего); длительность средняя, но под конец игра кажется чуток затянутой;
    Сюжет в целом стандартный, но я повёлся на него, ведь обзорщики восхлавляли его, но он оказался полным клише и вообще не цепляющим.
    Игра плохо обучает играть сама в себя(в начале все более менее нормально, но про некоторые механики ты узнаешь в серединеконце).
    Побочные квесты сделаны ужасно, ведь нет самой обычной кнопки рестарта, и вместо того чтобы начать заново уже всратую попытку ты должен ждать окончания, и только потом начинать заново.
    Геймплей - одна из сильнейших сторон игры, но в нем есть один минус - механика ветра
    Он полностью рандомный, и иногда просто не работает, что может всё испортить в самый ответственный момент.
    Саундтрек хороший, но я бы не добавил его в свой плейлист.
    Игре очень нужна руссификация, т. к. вместо нормального английского используются малоизвестные слова.
    Игра неплохая, и главным её плюсом есть геймплей, а не история.
    Надеюсь, в продолжении(Sport Story) все ошибки будут учтены, и выйдет прекрасная игра    … Expand
  19. Ramoten
    Oct 14, 2020
    5
    Maybe I just don't get the humour, or find it very fun to play with the arbitrary trial and error physics of the game. The impressive reviews got me into buying this one, but 2-3 hours in a gave up, on trying to enjoy it, and started playing other games.
  20. Flammie
    Oct 7, 2020
    7
    Golf story is a nice combination of traditional golf game we remember and love from and RPG, but the emphasis is really on the golf, I would say. You talk with characters, solve puzzles and fetch quests and get experience points, but mostly golf. The game is good implementation of classical golf, i.e. not too realistic but mostly. It plays some 20 hours which is just appropriate, itGolf story is a nice combination of traditional golf game we remember and love from and RPG, but the emphasis is really on the golf, I would say. You talk with characters, solve puzzles and fetch quests and get experience points, but mostly golf. The game is good implementation of classical golf, i.e. not too realistic but mostly. It plays some 20 hours which is just appropriate, it starts to wear out its novelty towards the end. There are few signs that the game comes from indie studio and is a bit unpolished, sometimes losing throws you back to title screen and sometimes not, and difficulty level while mostly ok does have few bumps and jumps. Perfect fetch for discount sales.… Expand
  21. Daisuk
    Sep 18, 2020
    7
    It's entertaining for quite some time, but ultimately the repetitive and sometimes pointless side quests lets it down somewhat. The golfing and the rivalry surrounding the golfing is arguably the best part of the game, and the game probably would've been more fun if a lot of the side quests were optional. An original game, and it's fun for a good while.
  22. EmCza
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    Great game. One of the best RPG on Switch (it’s in my top 5 switch rpgs) and one of the best indie pixel art games ever made.
  23. KowieT
    Aug 15, 2020
    6
    Since I haven't gotten a new entry in the Mario Golf series since 2014, I was dying for a golf game.
    I first heard of this game from YouTuber Caddicarus and figured I'd give it a shot.
    Golf Story has a unique charm about it. It's very self aware, and even though characters take themselves seriously. You as a player see how ridiculous their motives are. The protagonist of the game has    Since I haven't gotten a new entry in the Mario Golf series since 2014, I was dying for a golf game.
    I first heard of this game from YouTuber Caddicarus and figured I'd give it a shot.

    Golf Story has a unique charm about it. It's very self aware, and even though characters take themselves seriously. You as a player see how ridiculous their motives are. The protagonist of the game has his own motivation...but the NPCs make it clear pretty early that they don't care. I'd kind of say that the devs didn't really want to you care either. After the initial course, the protagonist unenthusiastically wins the remaining tournaments because "why not?"

    Gameplay was really fun in the beginning and I really wanted to get good enough to read the greens like I can in other golf games, but once you get to the mid to later holes the physics feel really broken. The game gave a vague description to how steep the green is, then it was randomly up to the game whether or not it would make the shot close to the hole or WAY past it. The devs also got a little lazy making the game read "yards" when my ball was only inches away from the hole.
    Oh my gosh and the wind. The wind mechanic is incredibly broken. Many times the 3MPH winds pushed my ball as much as the 12MPH wind.
    I became frustrated almost to the point of quitting, but was determined to finish the game. I even played to 100% completion because I wanted to get the most out of this game. There are many who like this game and I don't hate it, I just wish there was more polish.

    Overall, Golf Story is a fun time. Maybe I will play it again in the future, but for now it just made me want a more polished golf game.    … Expand
  24. flibikazoah
    Aug 14, 2020
    10
    Manages to be a charming, funny RPG, while also being an accessible, challenging golf game with lots of replayability. Loved every minute.
  25. Simoss13
    Jul 16, 2020
    9
    I am not one for sport games, but seeing it was a Switch exclusive and an RPG, it got me intrigued and bought it.
    Boy, I am glad I did.
    It was one of the most charming games I have ever played. The story is fairly basic but the characters were quirky to keep the plot interesting. The controls are super tight which is important in this type of game. I wasn't fond of the disc golf, I    I am not one for sport games, but seeing it was a Switch exclusive and an RPG, it got me intrigued and bought it.
    Boy, I am glad I did.
    It was one of the most charming games I have ever played. The story is fairly basic but the characters were quirky to keep the plot interesting.
    The controls are super tight which is important in this type of game.
    I wasn't fond of the disc golf, I found the control and momentum kinda odd.
    The courses were diverse and difficulty was steadily increased.
    The over-world ending was a very nice surprise in the end and made me smile.
    Comes highly recommended as something different to RPG players    … Expand
  26. mudRucker
    May 7, 2020
    9
    This game is a blast. I wasn't expecting much, but people kept talking about it, so I gave it a chance. And wow!--what a charming, hilarious, fun game! The golf aspect of the game is great, but the story and RPG elements may be even better. This is a fantastic game that I recommend to anyone. Looking forward to the sequel!
  27. AaronF
    May 5, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a fun game but there is a massive difficulty spike at the end which can be frustrating as the game doesn't really prepare you for it… Expand
  28. FiftyWords
    Apr 27, 2020
    8
    A good throwback to the GBC and GBA Mario Golf games. The mechanics are considerably easier and more forgiving than other golf games but the overall lack of challenge is more than compensated for by the game’s brisk momentum, charming characters and sense of humour. A pleasant twenty hour romp.
  29. Golfstoryizbad
    Apr 26, 2020
    0
    **** game
  30. Coldfusion
    Apr 19, 2020
    10
    This is one of the must play games of this gen along with CupHead, BotW, and a few others. It’s a great pick up and play game that lends itself to short play sessions here and there. The story and jokes are clever. The sprites are pretty for what they are, but this game would be equally at home on an original Game Boy. There are so many little details and jokes in the game, and that reallyThis is one of the must play games of this gen along with CupHead, BotW, and a few others. It’s a great pick up and play game that lends itself to short play sessions here and there. The story and jokes are clever. The sprites are pretty for what they are, but this game would be equally at home on an original Game Boy. There are so many little details and jokes in the game, and that really contributes to the overall experience. It’s not groundbreaking in terms of mechanics, but you’ll want to play it, and it sticks with you after you finish it. Highly recommended.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Switch Game of 2017
15
#15 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
22
#22 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. CD-Action
    Jan 10, 2018
    85
    Golf Story came out of nowhere and stole my heart with its original sense of humor, use of HD Rumble, cute visuals and multitude of ideas for using golf in most unconventional ways. Don’t get discouraged by the whole golf thing though, as Sidebar’s game is actually a really good RPG that happens to borrow it’s mechanics from golf titles. [13/2017, p.50]
  2. Hardcore Gamer
    Jan 4, 2018
    80
    While a story or intriguing use of narrative might have only gone so far, though, Golf Story’s easy-to-grasp; hard-to-master core gameplay — that still manages to pace its teaching players the smaller details — is what will keep players coming back for more. Having them hunt down even the additional side-quests on top, no matter how zany or surreal the premise might be. It’s this unorthodox approach ultimately that gives Golf Story its unique identity and undeniable appeal as both a sports title and an independent release. While the influences are clear to see and the source material might not be entirely original, this game is wonderfully, weirdly different, but engaging all the same.
    Read full review
  3. games(TM)
    Dec 3, 2017
    80
    Classic golfing with a fun story, and few flaws. [Issue#194, p.83]
See all critic reviews »