Golf Club Wasteland

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 669 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

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 669 reviews
story139 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and atmosphere that effectively conveys a post-apocalyptic world.
  • Engaging soundtrack and radio commentary that enhances the storytelling experience.
  • Challenging yet rewarding gameplay that encourages exploration and experimentation.
  • Frustrating gameplay mechanics with inconsistent ball physics and lack of clear shot indicators.
  • Slow animations and transitions that disrupt the flow of gameplay, making it tedious to restart levels.
  • Limited replay value as the story is primarily experienced in a single playthrough, with little incentive to revisit.
  • story426 mentions

    The story of "Golf Club Wasteland" is a poignant and atmospheric narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world, primarily conveyed through a unique radio broadcast that shares the memories and experiences of survivors. Players engage with the story while navigating through golf courses, with diary entries and environmental storytelling enhancing the experience. While some find the narrative compelling and emotionally resonant, others criticize it for being simplistic or overly political, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and execution.

    • “The unique and gripping way the story is presented as you play golf on an abandoned Earth does make you want to keep playing to hear more about what has happened and what life on Mars is like.”
    • “The story is fantastic, the main portion is told through the radio - which is honestly quite amazing, sharing stories from folks from different cultures, how they got on Mars, what they did before, what makes them nostalgic for Earth - and through diary entries, unlocked by completing stroke challenges.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story is all over the place.”
  • music336 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to create a captivating atmosphere, with many players praising the eclectic mix of genres and the integration of a radio broadcast that enhances storytelling. While some found certain tracks repetitive or not fitting for the gameplay, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack significantly elevates the experience, making it a highlight of the game. Additionally, players appreciated the inclusion of a free soundtrack download upon completion, further emphasizing the game's commitment to its musical quality.

    • “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 and vibe.”
    • “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 music sucks, maybe one good song.”
    • “Worst of all, though, the music was, at least for my play-through, nearly never actually playing.”
    • “The music is fucking 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 allll the way up, hit the reset button, scroll allll the way down, wait until you can take your shot, and repeat.”
  • gameplay278 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and casual nature, appealing to players looking for a relaxing experience. However, many reviews highlight significant flaws in the mechanics, describing them as clunky, imprecise, and frustrating, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the atmosphere and narrative are praised, the gameplay often feels like a secondary element, leading to mixed opinions on its effectiveness as a golf game.

    • “Golf club nostalgia perfectly blends relaxing golf gameplay with a heartwarming sense of nostalgia.”
    • “The retro-inspired visuals and calming soundtrack create a cozy atmosphere, while the simple yet satisfying mechanics make it easy to pick up and enjoy.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and the stages are varied; overall, it's a nice casual golf game.”
    • “Chill atmosphere ruined by horrible mechanics and infuriatingly obscure background elements.”
    • “Great vibes but horrible gameplay that is incredibly frustrating.”
    • “The golf is some of the mechanically worst I've ever played across dozens of golf games, the narrative is terribly presented, and the maps are often confusing on what can be interacted with or not until you've played through once.”
  • atmosphere151 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its retro-inspired visuals, haunting soundtracks, and unique post-apocalyptic settings, creating a cozy yet melancholic experience. Many players appreciate the immersive storytelling and artistic design, although some criticize the gameplay mechanics for detracting from the overall ambiance. Overall, the game excels in delivering a rich, atmospheric experience that resonates with players, despite some frustrations with its mechanics.

    • “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 is haunting with its old world electronic and commentary.”
    • “Chill atmosphere ruined by horrible mechanics and infuriatingly obscure background elements.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics105 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and unique art style, which blend retro and modern elements to create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere. Players appreciate the beautiful color palettes and dynamic lighting that enhance the overall experience, although some note that the visuals may not meet the high expectations of contemporary gaming standards. The combination of impressive graphics and a haunting soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive storytelling and emotional depth.

    • “The art style with its colors adds to the feeling of nostalgia, while the dynamic lighting and sound design ground you in a world that feels both familiar and new.”
    • “The visuals are hauntingly beautiful in their depiction of a derelict earth, with cool tones throughout.”
    • “Golf club wasteland has a beautiful story coupled with a gorgeous art style and sound design.”
    • “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
    • “It's far below the state-of-the-art visuals gamers expect as a result of their decisions.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional31 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its surprisingly touching narrative, which intertwines a heartfelt story with relaxing golf gameplay, creating a unique experience that resonates deeply with players. Through various storytelling methods, including radio broadcasts and diary entries, the game evokes a range of emotions, from nostalgia to heartbreak, ultimately delivering a poignant and memorable conclusion. Players find themselves unexpectedly moved by the game's themes of loss and connection, making it a standout emotional journey in the gaming landscape.

    • “A very clever 2D arcade golf game (although it's really more of a physics-based puzzle game) wrapped in a slow-burning and surprisingly touching story that pays off wonderfully in the end.”
    • “The game's story is also powerful and emotional, and it has a sad and poignant ending that is sure to stay with players long after they finish playing.”
    • “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.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it hit-or-miss; while certain elements like the radio show and visual storytelling provide clever and satirical laughs, others feel the overall tone is too somber for a comedic experience. The self-aware humor and quirky hazards are appreciated, but the balance between humor and the game's darker themes leaves some players feeling disconnected. Overall, the game offers moments of genuine hilarity amidst its more serious undertones.

    • “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.”
    • “The self-awareness of the radio messages, diary entries, and world props that are both explicit and implicit add an ironic humor and satirical message that I really enjoy.”
    • “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!”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with the game's grinding mechanics, characterized by slow animations, lengthy levels, and a lack of creative progression. Players find the experience frustrating rather than relaxing, as the gameplay feels more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge, ultimately detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. Despite its polished presentation, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant flaw that hampers the intended chill experience.

    • “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.”
    • “A tedious and frustrating experience that brought me almost no enjoyment.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers various difficulty levels and challenges, such as achieving under-par scores and unlocking diary entries, some players feel that the short story limits its long-term appeal. Despite the limited number of levels, there are still unique elements to explore, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate creative gameplay experiences. However, a few users noted a lack of motivation for multiple playthroughs once the story is completed.

    • “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.”
    • “I loved the vibes throughout the courses, and it has replayability factors, such as trying to make the holes within a certain amount of strokes to unlock diary entries.”
    • “The story is pretty short, but there are other ways to play the game, and trying to get under par on each hole adds some replayability.”
    • “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.”
    • “It is a fairly short playthrough but features several game modes for replayability.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of "Golf Club Nostalgia" is criticized as a blatant cash grab by developers who have repurposed a mobile app for Steam, lacking the quality expected from a PC game. Users feel that the game is primarily designed to exploit players financially rather than provide a genuine gaming experience.

    • “Golf club nostalgia (aka Golf Club: Wasteland) looks a lot like a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it were a real PC game. It's a cash grab from greedy mobile developers trying to cash in on abandoned app store content.”
  • stability2 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 design of the levels for the golfing portion of the game, is pretty bad. It's frustrating on its own, buggy, and finicky unintentionally.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Users have noted that the game requires improvements in ultra-wide monitor optimization and enhanced resolution controls to enhance overall performance and user experience.

    • “The game needs an update on ultra-wide monitor optimization and greater resolution controls.”
    • “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so bad that loading times are longer than the actual gameplay.”
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
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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