Vertiginous Golf
- May 6, 2015
- Kinelco & Lone Elk Creative
Get on Steam"Vertiginous Golf" is a steam punk mini golf adventure game set in a floating city above a polluted world. Play through challenging golf courses in story mode to uncover a looming insurrection, while avoiding the propaganda messages of peace and prosperity. Experience temporary escape from the gloom below in this dystopian mini golf journey.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a unique steampunk aesthetic with beautifully designed courses that provide a visually appealing experience.
- Gameplay includes interesting mechanics like a rewind feature and the ability to control the ball, adding depth to the mini-golf experience.
- Multiplayer mode is enjoyable, allowing for competitive play with friends, and the game has a decent amount of content for both single and multiplayer experiences.
- Controls are overly sensitive and can be frustrating, making it difficult to aim and play accurately.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and poor level design that can lead to confusing and unplayable holes.
- The online community is lacking, with few players available for multiplayer, which diminishes the overall experience.
- graphics50 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive generally positive feedback, with many users praising the beautiful visuals, steampunk aesthetic, and varied course designs. While some reviews mention that the graphics can appear amateurish or not fully polished, especially since the game is still in alpha, the overall consensus highlights the appealing art style and smooth performance. Players appreciate the unique decor and inventive design elements that enhance the gaming experience.
“The steampunk/victorian aesthetic does wonders for being able to read the course and intuit what the ball might do when it lands.”
“Butiful graphics, an inventive way to do 'fly bys' of the hole in play, a wonderfully eclectic decor & some unique twists that will keep you wanting to play more.”
“The visuals look great and the courses are varied.”
“The graphics aren't all that polished, although it is still in alpha.”
“Visuals are alright but the theme is a bit dulling (an opinion I built up in my time considering getting this before I got it for free).”
“Graphics is not too alright but recommended playing with multiplayer.”
- gameplay44 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of innovative mechanics and traditional mini-golf elements, featuring unique additions like a rewind feature and a mechanical bird for course scouting. While some players find the courses convoluted and frustrating, others appreciate the smooth mechanics and captivating story mode, suggesting a blend of creativity and style that enhances the overall experience. However, there are criticisms regarding the game's complexity and certain bugs that detract from the enjoyment.
“The gameplay is smooth and some unique mechanics like rewinding and meditation spice up the regular golf experience.”
“The mechanics allow for a new spin on a classic game which allows for hours of fun.”
“Mechanically very good, and oozing with style, I definitely recommend the game.”
“As an exercise in what can be done with a bit of clever coding and imagination, full marks -- but the gameplay value is almost zero.”
“The mechanics and rewind system are strange and unclear, but the most notable issue is probably the fact that the maps are simply too boring and far too convoluted at the same time, and at some parts also simply frustrating.”
“But it's actually a mini-golf game where the ball falling out of bounds into oblivion is the main game mechanic.”
- story42 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it surprisingly captivating and unique, while others criticize it as minimal and poorly executed. Many appreciate the effort to include a narrative, but feel that the resolution is lackluster and the storytelling could have been more developed. Overall, the story adds an interesting layer to the gameplay, but it may not resonate with all players.
“This is one of the most interesting games I've ever played; the actual golf courses are insane and borderline unplayable, with me and my friends sometimes getting 20+ shots on a par 4. But it's absolutely fascinating the whole time we're doing it, from a story mode that was surprisingly captivating from start to end and a general world that is unique and clever. I would love to see a sequel with better golf mechanics.”
“This golf game is unique and fun, with a nice atmosphere and even an interesting storyline.”
“There is a story, though I have only gotten the very start of it, so I can't say much about it, except for the fact that I like the effort to add a story.”
“The story mode is also a bizarre inclusion.”
“Third, and I'll try not to spoil what little plot there is, but the resolution is quite possibly the laziest thing I've seen in video game storytelling.”
“At one point, you get prompted to do a thing that is equal parts baffling nonsense, insultingly simple, and makes everyone in the story seem like thick, petty boneheads for not having taken the two minutes to do it themselves.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its uniqueness and engaging fantasy elements, creating an immersive experience that enhances gameplay. Reviewers highlight the impressive graphics and the developers' evident dedication, contributing to a vibrant and captivating environment. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both original and richly detailed, making it a standout feature.
“The atmosphere in the game is dripping wet from the blood and sweat the developers put into the game.”
“It's a minigolf game with a really cool fantasy-esque atmosphere and neat little contraptions all over.”
“An original and atmospheric take on a golf game.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some praise it for fitting the mood and being well-designed, others find it uninspiring and suggest it detracts from the overall experience. There are calls for more variety in the music, as certain elements, like the emporium, are seen as unnecessary. Overall, the sound design is noted as a strong point, complementing the game's visuals effectively.
“Great music.”
“The sounds are also a fitting inclusion, and the music really fits the mood when it kicks in.”
“The game controls aren't difficult to grasp, the music and sounds are well designed, and the interface is nice and clean, not interfering with the graphics -- did I mention they were gorgeous?”
“Also if you do end up playing this, turn off the uninspiring music because that's definitely what kills this game the most (for me at least).”
“Also if you do end up playing this, turn off the uninspiring music because that's definitely what kills this game the most (for me at least).”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits several glitches and bugs, including occasional physics issues and clipping problems, which some players find adds to the overall enjoyment. While the stability is somewhat lacking, many users attribute this to its early access status and remain forgiving of the imperfections.
“I will admit the game is a tad bit buggy and has the occasional physics or weird clipping bug, but it's kind of hard to stay mad at it when it's an early access game.”
“Online multiplayer is a little buggy, but whatever, it's still cool.”
“There are a couple of glitches here and there, but it adds to the fun.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Despite having specifications that exceed the game's recommended requirements, users report experiencing frequent frame drops and stuttering, indicating significant optimization issues.
“My specs are well above the recommended for the game; however, it still has fairly constant frame drops and stuttering.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's high replayability, noting an abundance of options that ensure a fresh experience with each playthrough, especially with potential community involvement on platforms like Steam.
“The replay value is immense; I really don't see how I could run out of options, especially with the Steam community getting involved.”
“The replay value is incredible; there are so many choices that I can't imagine exhausting them anytime soon.”
“The game offers a ton of replayability, and with the community's involvement, the possibilities seem endless.”
“The replay value is immense; I really don't see how I could run out of options, especially if the Steam community gets involved.”
“The replay value is immense; I really don't see how I could run out of options, especially if the Steam community gets involved.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is centered around the comedic chaos of using bombs to hilariously disrupt friends' gameplay, particularly by exploding their balls out of the hole. This element of playful sabotage adds a lighthearted and entertaining dynamic to the experience.
“Hilarious to laugh at friends as you explode their ball into oblivion! Bombs are awesome; you can blast their ball out of the hole.”
