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.

76%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, replayability

75% User Score Based on 1,338 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 19 reviews

Platforms

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About

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

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,357 reviews

story280 positive mentions

grinding28 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful art style and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
The narrative is engaging, told through a unique radio broadcast that provides backstory and character development.
The game offers a relaxing experience with a chill vibe, making it enjoyable for casual play.

The gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, with inconsistent ball physics and a lack of clear indicators for shot power and trajectory.
There are long, unskippable animations when resetting levels or transitioning between menus, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
The difficulty spikes in later levels can feel punishing, making it less enjoyable for players seeking a casual experience.

story
859 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The story in "Golf Club Wasteland" is a poignant and immersive narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world, primarily conveyed through a unique radio broadcast that shares the experiences of survivors and their memories of Earth. Players engage with the story while navigating through 35 levels, with the option to play in a relaxed "story mode" that allows for unlimited attempts, making it accessible for those more interested in the narrative than the gameplay. While some critiques mention the story can feel thin or forced at times, many players appreciate its emotional depth and the atmospheric presentation that enhances the overall experience.
- “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.”
- “I didn't find the story to be captivating in the slightest and the gameplay does not pick that slack up whatsoever.”
music
676 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The music in "Golf Club Wasteland" is widely praised for its eclectic and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the game's post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the unique blend of genres, including ambient, techno, and narrative-driven tracks, which are delivered through a radio format that adds depth to the storytelling. While some find the soundtrack repetitive or not to their taste, many agree that it significantly contributes to the overall experience, making it a highlight of the game.
- “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.”
- “This game has an awesome soundtrack, it's really beautiful, and the challenge mode is a solid 3 hours of fun gameplay.”
- “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 golfing is frustrating, the music is bad, and the radio stories aren't funny or interesting.”
gameplay
563 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
58%
15%
The gameplay of this golf-themed game is characterized by its simplicity and casual nature, making it accessible for players looking for a relaxing experience. However, many reviews highlight significant frustrations with the mechanics, describing them as imprecise and poorly implemented, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the atmosphere and narrative elements are praised, they often overshadow the gameplay, leading to a mixed reception where players feel the mechanics could benefit from refinement and greater depth.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay is where this game falls flat.”
atmosphere
305 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting, melancholic, and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and visually striking art design. Many players appreciate the unique blend of post-apocalyptic themes and relaxing gameplay, although some express frustration with the mechanics that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, creating an immersive environment that resonates deeply with players.
- “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.”
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and narrative elements deliver a sci-fi story about a terrible future for humanity that seems heartbreakingly plausible.”
- “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.”
graphics
216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their beautiful, retro-inspired art style that creates a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere, enhanced by dynamic lighting and a haunting soundtrack. While some players note that the visuals may feel outdated compared to modern standards, many appreciate the unique aesthetic and emotional depth they bring to the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its charm and immersive storytelling.
- “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.”
- “They now return to earth to play golf on the ruins of civilization, with a haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals that paint a picture of both the beauty and the tragedy of the world that once was.”
- “The visuals are hauntingly beautiful in their depiction of a derelict earth, with cool tones throughout.”
- “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.”
emotional
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its surprisingly touching narrative, which intertwines a heartfelt story with relaxing golf gameplay. Players are drawn into a poignant exploration of nostalgia and loss through diary entries and radio broadcasts, creating a bittersweet atmosphere that resonates deeply, often leading to tears. Despite its seemingly light premise, the game delivers a powerful emotional experience that lingers long after completion, making it a memorable journey for players.
- “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.”
humor
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding moments of cleverness and irony, particularly in the radio broadcasts and visual storytelling, while others feel the jokes fall flat or are overshadowed by a somber atmosphere. Highlights include the satirical elements and amusing hazards, like a radioactive cow, which contribute to a unique comedic experience. Overall, the humor can be hit or miss, but it often resonates well with those who appreciate its self-aware and satirical approach.
- “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!”
grinding
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
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, many reviewers feel that the lack of creativity in level design and the repetitive nature of gameplay make it more of a chore than an enjoyable activity. The combination of finicky controls and unnecessary delays further exacerbates the sense of tedium, leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment.
- “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.”
- “The game is billed as a relaxing and chill experience but due to its shortfalls it becomes tedious and annoying.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
75%
15%
The game offers moderate replayability through various difficulty levels and challenges, such as achieving under-par scores and unlocking diary entries. While the story is short and may lose its initial charm in subsequent playthroughs, players can still enjoy different game modes and additional content, making it worth revisiting for those who appreciate unique experiences. However, some users feel that the overall replay value is limited, depending on personal enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “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.”
- “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 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.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of "Golf Club Nostalgia" has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, resembling a poorly executed mobile app rather than a legitimate PC game. Reviewers express frustration over the developers' lack of originality and the game's reliance on outdated mobile game mechanics to exploit players financially.
- “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 not). It's a cash grab from greedy mobile developers trying to cash in on abandoned app store content.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
50%
Overall, while the game performs fantastically in both docked and handheld modes, users have noted a need for improvements in ultra-wide monitor optimization and enhanced resolution controls. The art style and story have received praise, but the optimization for specific display settings remains a concern.
- “The game needs an update on ultra-wide monitor optimization and greater resolution controls.”
- “Fantastic performance docked or handheld, gorgeous art style, thought-provoking story.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on mid-range systems.”
- “I was disappointed to find that even on high-end hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.”