Easy Golf: Course Architect review

Available for 800 points, Easy Golf is the McLaren F1 of the Community Games portfolio. While other homebrew titles retail at 200 points or slightly more, it is easy to be somewhat deflated when faced with such an expense. However the saying you get what you pay for sums up any comparison when Easy Golf is pitched against other releases, as Gamestyle will now explain.It has been a while since Gamestyle took to the greens, with many releases nowadays going for detailed realism, or the arcade novelty route. To be fair Easy Golf was never going to be able to compete on this level, instead pitching playability without veering off course like some many golfing releases do nowadays. Fans of classic retro golf titles will be delighted with the balance on show here, as the emphasis is on the golf. The classic three click bar control method is well implemented and adds to the playability on show. Just be wary that when you start your swing there is no way to cancel it, so every shot counts.The courses are divided into nine holes and the game ships with several of these in your initial allocation. Its worth highlighting that the offline single player mode is the only option available in the trial game. Even so, you can appreciate the simple physics and fun to be had from this appetiser. For a title developed by just one person, Barkers Crest has done a tremendous job with collating the presentation, catchy main theme and whole graphical style of Easy Golf. If other releases in the Community Section were as rounded and polished then it would certainly be more popular. Even when the single theme becomes repetitive you can start playing songs on your hard drive. The odd glitch can be noticeable, or in the course editor the odd crash, but these are few and far between, especially when put into the context that there isnt a huge team or budget behind this title.The courses cover a wide range of possibilities; with more traditional layouts soon giving way to the extreme golfing holes, as you confidence grows you can increase the difficulty or attempt more risky approaches. These courses all act as the precursor for the two other main modes that really deliver the value in the 800 points price tag.The first of these is the course editor, which is a game in itself. Here you can create your own 9 hole courses, controlling everything including the terrain, wind, greens, fairways, natural obstacles and much more besides. It is an area where Gamestyle has already spent a considerable amount of time building our own St Andrews replica and then some more. With each hole you become more confident with the editor, improving with each subsequent creation. The system once youve spent a few minutes with it is straightforward and relatively easy to use. As with the Forza 2 paint mode, it is far too easy to spend hours tinkering and creating your own golfing experiences with remarkable success.Not content with the course creator, Easy Golf also features a four player online mode that is great fun and also allows you to share your own courses. Players can simply download your finalised design and can then upload their own creations. Literally the possibilities are endless, allowing players to tour the world experiencing the finest golf courses or tee off on more extreme variations. The only barrier is the imagination of those who want to build their own golf course. Listening to feedback you can tinker with your design and improve the experience, whilst having fun.Easy Golf restores our faith in the Community Section of Xbox Live. It just shows what one person can achieve with talent and dedication. If you have enjoyed golfing releases previously then this warrants your time, so make it your next purchase and get involved online.