Golf Club Wasteland

A beautiful blend of whimsical golfing and sardonic commentary wrapped in a blanket of nostalgia and straight-up vibes. Golf Club: Wasteland is a brilliant narrative experience that can’t resist imbuing anything and everything with stories.

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In Golf Club: Wasteland, play as a golfer in a post-apocalyptic world, traversing through beautifully rendered, abandoned landscapes. Use unique abilities and futuristic equipment to navigate challenges and obstacles. Experience a thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and the human impact on the environment.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 461 reviews

story100 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful art style and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
The storytelling through the in-game radio and diary entries is engaging and adds depth to the experience.
It's a relaxing game that allows players to enjoy a chill experience while navigating through creatively designed golf courses.

The gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, with inconsistent ball physics and a lack of clear indicators for shot power and trajectory.
The lengthy animations for resetting levels and moving to the ball can disrupt the flow of gameplay and lead to a tedious experience.
Some players may find the difficulty spikes in later levels to be overly punishing, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
279 mentions
36 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily conveyed through a unique radio broadcast, offering a haunting and immersive narrative about life on a post-apocalyptic Earth and the experiences of its survivors. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and atmospheric storytelling, others criticize it for being simplistic or overly political, with a few finding the gameplay mechanics detracting from the narrative experience. Overall, the combination of art, music, and storytelling creates a compelling backdrop that enhances the golfing gameplay, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven games.
- “The art, world building, and drip-fed story content via the radio are the best parts of this game.”
- “It's a wonderfully atmospheric experience with a moving and melancholic story that frames the golfing puzzle of each hole.”
- “The soundtrack and storytelling is so well done, the art is gorgeous and the story will tug at your heartstrings just the right amount.”
- “The story, sadly, lacks, as if it was written by a chronically on Twitter reactionary person.”
- “The story isn't anything new, and feels very forced and superfluous.”
- “I didn't find the story to be captivating in the slightest and the gameplay does not pick that slack up whatsoever.”
music
234 mentions
53 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and storytelling, with many players praising the unique blend of genres and the engaging radio broadcasts that provide context to the gameplay. While some found certain tracks less appealing, the overall soundtrack is described as haunting, nostalgic, and perfectly suited to the post-apocalyptic setting, making it a standout feature of the experience. Additionally, players appreciated the inclusion of a free soundtrack download upon completion, further solidifying the game's musical impact.
- “The music, the way how the developers tell the story, the gameplay, the whole design is amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and perfectly matches the atmosphere/vibe.”
- “While you journey through the desolate landscapes, you’re treated to the radio broadcast 'Radio Nostalgia from Mars' - a series of melancholic anecdotes and music from the last humans who've relocated to Mars.”
- “The music is unbelievably annoying, the story is so on the nose that a 4-year-old gets it, and the process of restarting a level takes upwards of 10 seconds per attempt because you have to scroll the screen all the way up, hit the reset button, scroll all the way down, wait until you can take your shot, and repeat.”
- “The music on the radio is confusing: it switches between super relaxing and aggressive techno, although the gameplay stays exactly the same. I wonder why the developers made this choice.”
- “While the gameplay is kind of short and a bit boring, the soundtrack is worth it.”
gameplay
189 mentions
29 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simplistic and frustrating due to poorly implemented mechanics and a lack of depth. While some appreciate the casual and relaxing nature of the golf mechanics, others criticize them for being imprecise and tedious, often detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's atmosphere, story, and soundtrack are frequently praised, suggesting that the gameplay serves more as a vehicle for storytelling rather than a focal point.
- “The gameplay is smooth and the stages are varied; overall, it's a nice casual golf game.”
- “This is a great game overall: fun golfing mechanics in different post-apocalyptic settings with the narrative given in the form of a radio show you're listening to while trying to get a birdie.”
- “The gameplay is challenging enough that it doesn't become boring, but simple enough to still allow for a relaxing experience.”
- “Great vibes but horrible gameplay that is incredibly frustrating.”
- “The gameplay itself is probably the hardest to praise part of the game.”
- “The actual golf mechanic feels like trash, and it seems like trial and error is required to do well.”
atmosphere
109 mentions
61 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of artistic design, melancholic soundtracks, and immersive storytelling, creating a rich and engaging experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia and contemplation, often describing it as both relaxing and poignant. However, some players note that the gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall atmosphere, leading to frustration rather than the intended chill experience.
- “The atmosphere created is very special and even I started missing Earth, lmao.”
- “The atmosphere, the artistic design... the author has put so much effort into designing each of the many levels with absolute perfection... there is nothing missing, nothing sticking out, this is so rare.”
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and narrative elements deliver a sci-fi story about a terrible future for humanity that seems heartbreakingly plausible.”
- “Sadly, atmosphere gets disrupted by the mini-golfesque obstacles.”
- “That said, it might be a bit too much atmosphere at times when it goes at odds with how the gameplay works, in that you really don't want to be listening to the same set of stories while replaying the game.”
- “The captions are frequently incorrect and don't include the lyrics to the songs playing on the radio, which I'd argue is just as important as any other dialogue for this game's atmosphere.”
graphics
71 mentions
62 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning visuals, which blend retro and modern styles to create a nostalgic yet fresh atmosphere. The art design, complemented by dynamic lighting and a haunting soundtrack, enhances the overall experience, making it feel both immersive and reflective of a post-apocalyptic world. While some players find the gameplay mechanics frustrating, the aesthetic appeal remains a standout feature that captivates many.
- “The game’s aesthetic is a perfect blend of retro visuals and modern polish.”
- “The visuals are hauntingly beautiful in their depiction of a derelict earth, with cool tones throughout.”
- “This combination of dystopian visuals and surprisingly serene golf creates a hauntingly beautiful experience.”
- “I was not entertained by or interested in the stories told over the radio, and the visuals left me nonplussed as I wrestled with the unintuitive mechanics.”
- “The crisp visuals didn't hold up as well at the end when they do a storybook type finish.”
- “Both the visuals and radio show narration paint a very depressing yet sadly realistic vision of the future.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a surprisingly emotional experience, blending heartfelt storytelling with engaging gameplay, often leaving players touched by its poignant narrative and immersive atmosphere. While some find the story basic, many appreciate its depth and the emotional weight it carries, particularly through its unique presentation and soundtrack. Overall, it strikes a balance between entertainment and emotional resonance, making it a memorable journey despite its seemingly lighthearted premise.
- “A very heartfelt indie story disguised as a fun golf arcade.”
- “The personal stories are quite touching and well told, the music is great, and... well, the atmosphere hits you like a sledgehammer.”
- “Even if the sport of golf isn’t your thing, Golf Club Wasteland is worth the time to venture back to Earth: it’s equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching, with pinches of frustration and elation depending on where you stand on the course.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it hit-or-miss; however, the radio show featuring clever and well-produced comedic segments stands out as a highlight. Visual storytelling and satirical elements contribute to the overall comedic atmosphere, while quirky level designs and character interactions provide moments of genuine amusement. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with deeper themes, creating an engaging experience.
- “Gameplay is simple but effective, visual atmosphere is alright, but the real star is the radio show that you listen to while playing; hilarious, good variety, and very well produced.”
- “This game has a lot of ammunition in terms of the story - it utilizes the various scenes for strong and humorous visual storytelling, and the delivery of parts of the story with the radio broadcasts and music is a clever inclusion.”
- “The decent art style, the satirical humor, and the atmosphere of this little gem are well polished and had me immersed in the game's world immediately!”
grinding
12 mentions
0 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with slow animations and lengthy levels contributing to a frustrating experience rather than a relaxing one. Despite the game's polished presentation and soundtrack, the lack of creativity in level design and the absence of meaningful rewards make progression feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Overall, the game fails to deliver on its promise of a chill experience, leaving players feeling drained rather than entertained.
- “I cannot find any consistency, and it has made the game extremely tedious.”
- “As the game progresses, the levels don't get more creative or introduce new features/physics; instead the levels just get longer and more tedious.”
- “The game is billed as a relaxing and chill experience but due to its shortfalls it becomes tedious and annoying.”
replayability
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability with three difficulty levels and additional content, such as songs and interviews, that can be discovered in subsequent playthroughs. However, some players feel that the initial story experience diminishes the magic in future runs, leading to mixed opinions on its overall replay value.
- “Despite only having 35 levels, it takes longer than you'd expect. If you enjoy listening to radio nostalgia from Mars, I found that there were still songs and interviews that I hadn't listened to in my initial playthrough. So in terms of replayability, there are things to do and different difficulty levels.”
- “The length is short, but there is replay value.”
- “There are three difficulty levels for replayability and challenge, although you'll already have experienced the story, so future playthroughs won't have that magic.”
- “No replay value unless you hate yourself on multiple fronts.”
- “There are three difficulty levels for replayability and challenge, although you'll already have experienced the story so future playthroughs won't have that magic.”
- “Short, but sweet, with what should be a lot of replayability.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, "Golf Club Wasteland" demonstrates solid technical stability with no significant bugs or glitches reported. However, players have noted that the level design for the golfing aspect can be frustrating and feels unintentionally buggy and finicky.
- “However, while the set design might be great, the game design, specifically the actual design of the levels for the golfing portion of the game, is pretty bad. It's frustrating on its own, buggy, and finicky unintentionally.”
optimization
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players have noted that the game requires improvements in ultra-wide monitor support and enhanced resolution settings for better optimization.
- “The game needs an update on ultra-wide monitor optimization and greater resolution controls.”