Golf Club Wasteland

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 941 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Golf Club Wasteland Game Cover
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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 941 reviews
story202 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautiful art style and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
  • The narrative is engaging, told through the in-game radio, which provides a unique storytelling experience.
  • The game offers a relaxing experience with a chill vibe, making it enjoyable for casual play.
  • The golf mechanics can be frustrating and inconsistent, making it difficult to gauge shot power and trajectory.
  • There is a lack of quality-of-life features, such as a quick reset button, which can lead to tedious gameplay.
  • Some levels are overly challenging, leading to trial-and-error gameplay that detracts from the overall experience.
  • story565 mentions

    The game's story is primarily conveyed through a unique radio broadcast that immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world, revealing the memories of those who lived on Earth before its downfall. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and atmospheric storytelling, others criticize the narrative for being simplistic or overly political, suggesting it lacks complexity. Overall, the combination of engaging audio, art, and a bittersweet narrative creates a compelling experience, though the gameplay mechanics may detract from the storytelling for some.

    • “The art, world building, and drip-fed story content via the radio are the best parts of this game.”
    • “The storytelling about people's memories on earth after living on mars through the means of the fantastically well-executed radio station was like no joke actually genius!”
    • “It's a wonderfully atmospheric experience with a moving and melancholic story that frames the golfing puzzle of each hole.”
    • “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.”
    • “Without talking too much about the story, it's a bit of a mess in that when you go through and re-read it, things don't match up or just aren't very well told.”
  • music472 mentions

    The music in "Golf Club Wasteland" has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and eclectic soundtrack, which effectively complements the game's post-apocalyptic atmosphere and narrative. Players appreciate the unique radio broadcast format, "Radio Nostalgia from Mars," that intersperses music with storytelling, enhancing immersion and world-building. While some users noted a few tracks that didn't fit the game's tone, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making the game a memorable experience.

    • “The music, the way how the developers tell the story, the gameplay, the whole design is amazing.”
    • “The best part of the game is its world-building told through a radio talk show called 'Radio Nostalgia from Mars.' The show features unique music, personal stories from survivors, sponsored ad reads, and news announcements with nuanced details that only someone living on Mars would fully relate to and understand.”
    • “The soundtrack itself is a character in its own right - a haunting symphony of somber tunes, interspersed with static-filled storytelling, that sends chills down your spine.”
    • “The music is unbelievably annoying, the story is so on the nose that a 4-year-old gets it (capitalism bad bad), 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.”
    • “On the 'bad' side: some music (and the disco 'level' music) was a bit much for me and there was no option to change it.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay385 mentions

    The gameplay of this title has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simplistic and frustrating due to poorly implemented mechanics and inconsistent ball physics. While some appreciate the casual, atmospheric experience and the integration of storytelling through radio, others feel that the gameplay detracts from the overall enjoyment, describing it as tedious and lacking depth. Overall, the game is seen as more of a narrative-driven experience rather than a robust golfing simulation, appealing primarily to those who prioritize atmosphere over gameplay complexity.

    • “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 but so satisfying when mastered.”
    • “Great vibes but horrible gameplay that is incredibly frustrating.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, the 'radio' that you get on the game is fantastic, but the mechanics are so punishing, and so badly developed, that in a game where I wanted to just golf and listen to the radio stories and the depressing music, I ended up tired and angry with the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is where this game falls flat.”
  • atmosphere221 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of melancholic storytelling, stunning visuals, and an engaging soundtrack, creating a deeply immersive experience. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke nostalgia and contemplation, although some feel that the gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is considered the standout feature, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a rich, atmospheric experience over fast-paced action.

    • “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 post-apocalyptic setting adds a unique twist, while the melancholic soundtrack perfectly complements the atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
    • “Atmosphere took precedent over gameplay and it shows.”
  • graphics148 mentions

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning art style, which combines retro visuals with modern polish, creating a nostalgic yet fresh atmosphere. Players appreciate the hauntingly beautiful depictions of a post-apocalyptic world, enhanced by dynamic lighting and a captivating soundtrack that complements the visuals. While the graphics are a standout feature, some critiques mention that gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall experience, but the aesthetic remains a significant draw for 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 un-intuitive mechanics.”
    • “The crisp visuals didn't hold up as well at the end when they do a storybook type finish.”
    • “[Text box intro and outro undercuts the contemplative style, isometric graphics make gameplay harder, gameplay is mediocre]”
  • emotional36 mentions

    The game delivers a surprisingly emotional experience, intertwining a heartfelt narrative with an engaging golf arcade format. Players are drawn into a touching story that explores themes of loss and hope, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and immersive atmosphere. While some find the story basic, many agree that its emotional impact is profound, making it a memorable journey despite its seemingly ludicrous 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 shindig, Golf Club Wasteland is worth the time to venture back to earth: it’s equal parts heart-warming and heart-wrenching, with pinches of frustration and elation depending on where you stand on the course.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it hit-or-miss, though many appreciated the clever and well-produced radio show that adds a hilarious layer to the experience. Visual storytelling and satirical elements contribute to the comedic atmosphere, with standout moments like the "radiocative cow" hazard eliciting laughs. Overall, while not universally praised, the humor effectively complements the game's unique premise and engaging gameplay.

    • “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!”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with slow animations and lengthy levels detracting from the overall experience. Despite being marketed as a relaxing game, the lack of creativity in level design and the repetitive nature of gameplay lead to a sense of monotony, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable activity. Many reviewers feel that the focus on storytelling and music overshadows the gameplay, resulting in a lack of rewarding progression.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
    • “A long animation delay to restart a level, finicky controls, and long tedious levels.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability with three difficulty levels and additional content, such as songs and interviews, that players may not have fully explored in their first playthrough. However, some reviewers feel that the short length and the diminished impact of the story on subsequent runs may limit the overall replay value. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, the experience may not feel as fresh on repeat plays.

    • “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. In terms of replayability, there are things to do and different difficulty levels.”
    • “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.”
    • “The length is short, but there is replay value.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Golf Club Wasteland is technically stable, with no significant bugs or glitches reported. However, the level design for the golfing aspect is criticized for being frustrating and unintentionally buggy, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “However, while the set design might be great, the game design, 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.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game shows excellent performance both docked and handheld, complemented by its stunning art style and engaging narrative. However, it requires improvements in ultra-wide monitor optimization and enhanced resolution controls to fully meet player expectations.

    • “The game needs an update on ultra-wide monitor optimization and greater resolution controls.”
    • “Fantastic performance, whether docked or handheld, with a gorgeous art style and thought-provoking story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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