Golf Peaks
- November 11, 2018
- Mirzka
- 3h median play time
Looking for a change of pace or an escape from the stress of the rat race? Then Golf Peaks can provide you with a brief respite from the daily grind.
"Golf Peaks is a relaxing puzzle game that combines golf with card mechanics. Play your way through 120 levels across multiple locations, using cards to move the ball and avoid hazards. With a zero understanding requirement for golf, anyone can jump in and enjoy."
Reviews
- Golf Peaks is a charming and relaxing puzzle game that combines golf mechanics with clever level design, providing a unique and enjoyable experience.
- The game features a gradual difficulty curve, introducing new mechanics in each world while maintaining a balance of challenge and accessibility.
- With its minimalist art style and soothing soundtrack, Golf Peaks creates a calming atmosphere that makes it perfect for casual play sessions.
- Some players found the later levels to be overly complex and frustrating, with certain puzzles relying heavily on trial and error rather than clever problem-solving.
- The game lacks significant replayability, as once puzzles are solved, there is little incentive to revisit them.
- A few users noted that the visuals can sometimes be misleading, making it difficult to discern the layout of certain levels.
- gameplay89 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Golf Peaks* is characterized by its clever integration of golf mechanics into puzzle-solving, with each of the ten worlds introducing unique mechanics that are gradually taught through simple initial levels. Players appreciate the balanced difficulty curve, which allows for a smooth learning experience, while the variety of mechanics keeps the gameplay engaging and fresh. However, some reviewers noted that the later levels could benefit from a deeper synthesis of earlier mechanics, as they felt the game didn't fully explore its potential complexity.
“Golf Peaks is a clever puzzle game that uses golf mechanics without requiring any actual golfing skill.”
“Each world begins with a few tutorial levels that show you the mechanics of the new tiles without making you think, then the rest of the puzzles apply what you learned while combining them with the mechanics of the previous worlds.”
“The steady build-up of mechanics gives players plenty of time to learn mechanics before being tested on them.”
“The gameplay is relatively simple for puzzle games and may not appeal to those looking for a more serious challenge.”
“Other problems include the overall difficulty which, although good for me, isn't so great for those already familiar and well-versed with various puzzle games as the only appeal they'll have for this title is its unique setting alongside levels starting to get formulaic towards the end.”
“I just mean that I didn't feel like it explored its own mechanics fully and got the most trickiness out of them.”
- graphics58 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist yet charming art style that enhances the overall calming and meditative experience. Players appreciate the clean visuals and soothing soundtrack, which contribute to a relaxing atmosphere, although some find the simplicity may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the aesthetic is well-received, with many noting it as a significant factor in their enjoyment of the game.
“The colorful yet simple graphics and calm, quiet music make for a relaxing atmosphere, even as some of the puzzles get quite difficult.”
“The minimalist graphics and soothing music add to the overall calm and meditative experience.”
“Golf Peaks is a minimalist puzzle game with clean visuals and enjoyable puzzles.”
“Graphics - 5/10”
“The graphics are minimalist and the levels/puzzles are 3D objects placed over a simple background.”
“The graphics aren't anything sophisticated, so some players may not enjoy the more simplistic but stylized 2D graphics that this game makes use of.”
- music57 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as calming and relaxing, enhancing the overall meditative experience of gameplay. While the soundtrack varies by world and contributes positively to the atmosphere, some players note that it can become repetitive and occasionally grating. Overall, the music complements the game's visuals and puzzles, making it a pleasant backdrop for players seeking a chill gaming experience.
“Plus, the calming visuals and music make it a joy to play.”
“The music is super relaxing, making the puzzle solving a meditative state of brain flow.”
“The colorful yet simple graphics and calm, quiet music make for a relaxing atmosphere, even as some of the puzzles get quite difficult.”
“I'd say my only criticism is that the music, while relaxing, gets repetitive very quickly.”
“If I had to lobby a few criticisms against it, one of my biggest issues with it is that the music, whilst varied for each world, isn't the best sounding for what should be a relaxing experience as some of the soundtracks are a tad grating at times towards the ears, others not so much but aren't exactly anything to write home about, so the music for *Golf Peaks* is a bit of a letdown.”
“The music in *Golf Peaks* won’t get your heart racing like a wild stallion, but it’ll sure calm your nerves after a long day of magic and puzzle-solving.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and calming qualities, enhanced by varied music and visually distinct worlds that each have their own themes and gimmicks. Players appreciate the beautiful landscapes and simple graphics, which contribute to a delightful and enjoyable experience, even amidst challenging puzzles. Overall, the game is characterized as a classic atmospheric puzzle experience that effectively combines engaging gameplay with a soothing ambiance.
“Great music, relaxing atmosphere.”
“It's a great way to pass the time and exercise your brain, all while enjoying the beautiful landscapes and calming atmosphere.”
“The colorful yet simple graphics and calm, quiet music make for a relaxing atmosphere, even as some of the puzzles get quite difficult.”
“A delightful small puzzler with a relaxing atmosphere.”
“Varied music throughout each world coupled with distinct world colors that make the atmosphere of each world stand out.”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story is appreciated for its simplicity and charm, with new elements introduced in each chapter that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players express a desire for a more developed background story, the overall narrative remains engaging and complements the game's design.
“Maybe I would like to get the background story as in Inbento, but it's still nice.”
“It's simple design also lends to its charm, with new tiles and stroke techniques coming with each chapter, and extra missions at the end of each chapter to continue testing what you learned.”
“Story time!”
“The story is simplistic and lacks depth, making it feel more like a tutorial than a compelling narrative.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to engage the player, leaving the overall experience feeling flat.”
“Character development is minimal, resulting in a lack of emotional investment in the story.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with many users noting that once all puzzles are solved, there isn't much incentive to return. Suggestions for improvement include the addition of a course builder to enhance replay value. Ratings reflect this sentiment, with a general score of around 5/10 for replayability.
“One addition it would benefit from is a course builder to enhance replayability.”
“Not a ton of replay value once you crack all the puzzles.”
“Low replayability.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in Golf Peaks to be well-balanced, with most levels providing a satisfying challenge without becoming tedious. However, attempting to complete the game in one sitting may lead to some fatigue, particularly towards the end where a few levels may require external help.
“I've played it one world at a time; I'm sure it would be a little tedious if you tried to do it in one sitting.”
“Golf Peaks has 120 levels, and of those, I think I had to look up the solutions to 4 of them, 2 of which were right at the end (second- and third-to-last levels); besides those, I found most of the game to have the right balance of challenge without becoming tedious.”
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance and no significant issues.
“Runs great on the Steam Deck!”
“Not surprisingly, it runs great on the Deck.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the game emotionally uplifting and calming, often noting its ability to improve their mood during difficult times.
“It is very calming as well, having made me feel better on quite a few days when I was feeling very down.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect is perceived positively, with users appreciating the game as a relaxing mental exercise that can be enjoyed in short sessions, suggesting that the monetization strategy aligns well with the game's casual nature.
Critic Reviews
Golf Peaks Review
Golf Peaks Review
80%Golf Peaks (Switch) Review
Climb the highest mountain peak by, uh, playing a puzzle game with a golf ball.
80%Golf Peaks review
Looking for a change of pace or an escape from the stress of the rat race? Then Golf Peaks can provide you with a brief respite from the daily grind.
85%