Arcane Golf
- July 26, 2018
- FromLefcourt
Have some high points, but they soon give way to glaring faults. Not the worst, but difficult to recommend.
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreArcane Golf is a physics-based puzzle game that challenges players to navigate magical balls through whimsical courses. With over 100 levels and a level editor, players can putt their way through a variety of obstacles and create their own devilish designs. Using precise timing and creative problem-solving, sinking the perfect putt has never been so enchanting.
iPad
iPhone
PC
Phone
Windows
Mobile Platform
Reviews
- Arcane Golf features a charming aesthetic with beautiful pixel art and a pleasant soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game offers a large variety of well-designed levels that introduce new mechanics at a satisfying pace, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- It provides a challenging yet rewarding experience, encouraging players to improve their skills and master each level, making it addictive and fun.
- Some levels can be frustratingly difficult, requiring precise input and mastery of mechanics, which may deter casual players.
- The music is repetitive and can become annoying over time, leading some players to mute it during gameplay.
- There are occasional issues with level clarity, where players may struggle to find the intended solution, leading to moments of confusion.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mix of mechanics, smooth difficulty curve, and frequent introduction of new elements that keep it fresh and interesting. Players appreciate the unique level designs and polished core mechanics, although some express frustration with certain open-ended levels lacking clear guidance. Overall, the game combines charming graphics with enjoyable and challenging gameplay, making it a standout indie title.
“Throughout your playthrough, the game introduces new mechanics fairly often, which keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting.”
“Brilliant gameplay, high diversity in level design, and a huge content are what make this small gem extremely enjoyable.”
“Core mechanics are very polished, and the level designs are unique, creative, and surprising.”
“It makes me mad when I lose, but I can only blame myself because the physics and game mechanics seem tight and finely tuned.”
“After over two hours of gameplay, I'm only a quarter of the way through.”
“I really like the concept, graphics, and gameplay of Arcane Golf as a whole, and I feel that the level of challenge it presents is hard enough to be fun but not frustratingly difficult.”
- music12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the great soundtrack and relaxing sound effects that enhance the overall experience, others find the repetitive and short loops for each chapter's theme to be boring and frustrating. Overall, the music is seen as a significant aspect that can either elevate the game or detract from it, depending on personal preference.
“Very fun, simple, and challenging golf game, with a great soundtrack.”
“Arcane golf is a super fun game with great pixel art and solid music/sound effects.”
“The amazing art and pleasant music really tie the whole thing together.”
“Now the biggest disappointment in my eyes would be the music; it's absolutely unacceptable. Each chapter has a 'theme' and each chapter has 50 levels.”
“Do yourself a favor and disable the music to play your own.”
“The music gets very boring and annoying; there are 50 levels in each segment and only one short, repetitive tune is playing in each segment.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their pleasing aesthetics, charming pixel art, and nostalgic 90s vibe, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere. While some users noted minor glitches, the overall visual presentation is considered impressive, especially for an indie title, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“The visuals of the game are very pleasing, and the game actually has some story behind it, with a character talking you through as you progress with the levels, nothing special but adds some to the world.”
“For me, this game checks all the boxes for an indie game: excellent nostalgia factor, amazing graphics (especially for 8-bit), consistently amusing/more challenging, and easy, intuitive gameplay.”
“The visuals are reminiscent of a 90s game, which just adds to its charm.”
“The pixel graphics and music are very well-done.”
“I really like the concept, graphics, and gameplay of Arcane Golf as a whole, and I feel that the level of challenge it presents is hard enough to be fun but not frustratingly difficult.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game features appealing graphics and aesthetics, players have reported occasional glitches that detract from the overall stability.
“The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be enjoyable and engaging, noting that recent changes have made it less tedious while still maintaining a fun and challenging experience.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over just to level up, which takes away from the enjoyment.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and feels more like a chore than fun.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been criticized for its uneven difficulty curve, which heavily emphasizes precise mouse movements and click timings, leading to a gameplay experience that feels more like physical training than enjoyable play. This focus on physical challenge detracts from the strategic and engaging elements that players expect.
“The difficulty curve is far too uneven, and many levels rely on mastering a sequence of extremely precise mouse movements and click timings. It feels less like play and more like training for a performance art, where the challenge is purely physical.”
“The optimization in this game is lacking, making it frustrating to progress. Instead of engaging gameplay, it often feels like a test of endurance rather than skill.”
“I found the optimization to be poor, as it forces players to focus on repetitive actions rather than strategic thinking or creativity.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features a pleasing visual aesthetic and includes a narrative element, with a character guiding players through the levels, adding depth to the experience, though the story itself is considered unremarkable.
“The visuals of the game are very pleasing, and the game actually has some story behind it, with a character talking you through as you progress through the levels. It's nothing special, but it adds depth to the world.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged with the characters.”
“While the visuals are stunning, the narrative is predictable and fails to offer any real surprises.”
“The character dialogue is often bland and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong replayability, noting that even at level 37, it remains engaging and avoids repetitiveness.
“At level 37, and the game has yet to become repetitive; great replayability.”
“The variety of choices and paths keeps me coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down.”
