Cursed to Golf
{{Short description|2022 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Cursed to Golf
| image = File:Cursed to Golf cover.jpg
| alt = Cover artwork depicting the player and a golf ball in midair
| developer = Chuhai Labs
| publisher = Thunderful Publishing
| director = Liam Edwards
| programmer = Sean Fisher
| artist = {{ubl|Jon Davies|Nathan Scott|Shiino Hiroco}}
| composer = Mark Sparling
| engine =
| platforms = {{ubl|Windows|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|Nintendo Switch}}
| released = August 18, 2022
| modes = Single-player
}}
Cursed to Golf is a 2022 roguelike video game developed by Chuhai Labs and published by Thunderful Publishing. Based on an itch.io demo created two years earlier, it was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. The player plays as a golfer in Golf Purgatory, which they have to escape by completing eighteen randomly-selected holes in a specific number of strokes, with the aid of statues that grant extra shots when broken and powerups known as Ace Cards. Cursed to Golf received praise for its mechanics and art, though reviews were mixed on the game's difficulty.
Plot
The player, a professional golfer killed by lightning right before the end of a tournament, is sent to Golf Purgatory, where they are greeted by a giant ghost named The Scotsman.{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Review: Cursed to Golf is a stroke of genius |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/cursed-to-golf/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=Video Games Chronicle}} The Scotsman informs them that they must complete an eighteen-hole course in order to be resurrected, but will die if they use too many strokes on any hole, needing to return to the very beginning.{{Cite web |last=Frushtick |first=Russ |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Cursed to Golf has history's hardest video game golf course |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23308582/cursed-to-golf-impressions-review-ps4-ps5-xbox-one-series-x-windows-pc-nintendo-switch |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=Polygon}}
Gameplay
File:Cursed to Golf screenshot.jpg
The holes, randomly selected from approximately 70 predesigned levels, are viewed from a two-dimensional side-scrolling perspective and form themed biomes, each with specific features and obstacles.{{Cite web|last=Wen|first=Alan|date=August 18, 2022|title='Cursed To Golf' review: fore|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/cursed-to-golf-review-3293063|access-date=August 22, 2022|website=NME}} In addition, "cursed" holes that are usually optional occasionally handicap the player; for example, they may temporarily restrict the player's aim to a specific direction.{{Cite web |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Cursed To Golf Review - An Ace In The Hole |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cursed-to-golf-review-an-ace-in-the-hole/1900-6417942/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=GameSpot}} There are also boss battles at the end of each biome, which have players competing against an opponent; they feature special statues that stun the boss when broken. The bosses include The Scotsman, The Explorer, and The Forgotten.
The player has access to three clubs, a driver, an iron, and a wedge, and aims each shot by timing button presses to select power and direction. A moving arc, showing the ball's flight path, is displayed while aiming, and the player can redo a shot's power during this time, allowing them to precisely avoid obstacles. The player starts with five shots on each hole, but can gain more by smashing gold and silver statues that yield four or two more shots, respectively. The player can also spin the ball when it lands to slightly change its direction. In addition, single-use Ace Cards, which are received after defeating cursed levels or purchased from shops using cash earned for having excess shots, provide the player temporary upgrades or abilities. Examples of cards include a mulligan, which can be used to retry a shot, and a U-Turn card, allowing players to reaim the ball in midair. When the player dies, their cash and Ace Cards are lost (unless the cards are stored at a shop), but they receive permanent rewards from the bosses and do not have to fight them again. The game is considered to be part of the roguelike genre due to its permanent death mechanic, randomness arising from the variety of holes, and rewards from defeating bosses.
Development and release
Cursed to Golf was developed by Kyoto-based indie studio Chuhai Labs and published by Thunderful Publishing.{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Samantha |date=November 10, 2021 |title=10 Questions With Kyoto-based Video Game Director Liam Edwards |url=https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2021/11/10-questions-kyoto-based-video-game-designer-liam-edwards/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=Tokyo Weekender}} It was directed by Liam Edwards, with Sean Fisher as the lead programmer and Jon Davies as the art director. The soundtrack was composed by Mark Sparling, who also wrote the music for A Short Hike. Edwards, who previously worked at Rockstar Games, created the original version of the game on itch.io in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ben |date=August 19, 2022 |title=From itch to Switch – the story of Cursed to Golf's development |url=https://www.pockettactics.com/cursed-to-golf/interview |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=Pocket Tactics}}{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Lauren |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Cursed To Golf is a "golf like" that's also a roguelike with over 80 holes |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/cursed-to-golf-is-a-golf-like-thats-also-a-roguelike-with-over-80-holes |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Liam |title=Cursed to Golf |url=https://liamedwards.itch.io/cursed-to-golf |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=itch.io}} He listed physics games and a podcast about roguelikes as inspiration for the game, stating that the golf aspect came from an initial prototype of a bouncing ball in a dungeon.
Cursed to Golf was first announced for Windows and Nintendo Switch on Thunderful's YouTube channel on August 30, 2021, with a then-undetermined release date in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=August 30, 2021 |title=This Is No Ordinary Golf Game |url=https://kotaku.com/this-is-no-ordinary-golf-game-1847587049 |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Kotaku}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvpsNRZmudM |title=Cursed to Golf - Announcement Trailer |date=August 30, 2021|access-date=August 27, 2022|author=Thunderful Games |author-link=Thunderful Group |type=Video |via=YouTube}} It was further showcased at the ID@Xbox Showcase and Future Games Show in March 2022, with a release scheduled for summer 2022 on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One in addition to PC and Switch, and a limited-time Steam demo became available that month.{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=March 24, 2022 |title=Cursed to Golf Tees Off This Summer, Limited-Time Demo Now Available |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/cursed-to-golf-tees-off-this-summer-limited-time-demo-now-available/420786/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}} On July 7, 2022, the exact release date of August 18 was announced, in addition to its availability on PlayStation 4 and 5.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=James |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Golf Purgatory Draws Closer with Cursed to Golf Release Date Trailer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/golf-purgatory-draws-closer-with-cursed-to-golf-release-date-trailer/424740/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Liam |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Cursed to Golf tees off on August 18 for PS5 and PS4 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2022/07/07/cursed-to-golf-tees-off-on-august-18-for-ps5-and-ps4/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=PlayStation Blog}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPZoEtye8BA |title=Cursed to Golf {{!}} Are You Ready to Golf? {{!}} August 18th on PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch & Xbox |date=July 7, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022|last=Thunderful Games |author-link=Thunderful Group |type=Video |via=YouTube}} The game was released on that date, becoming available on Steam, GOG.com, and the Epic Games Store for PC in addition to the console systems.{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Rachel |date=August 19, 2022 |title=Cursed To Golf review: a charming golf sim that's stuck in roguelike purgatory |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/cursed-to-golf-review#comments |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 80/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cursed-to-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Cursed to Golf for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=November 3, 2022}}
PS5: 74/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cursed-to-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Cursed to Golf for PlayStation 5 reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=November 3, 2022}}
NS: 75/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cursed-to-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Cursed to Golf for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=November 16, 2022}}
XSXS: 79/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cursed-to-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Cursed to Golf for Xbox Series X Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=7 September 2022}}
| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}{{Cite web|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cursed-to-golf|title=Cursed to Golf Review (Switch eShop)|website=Nintendo Life|date=August 25, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022}}
| TA = 4/5{{Cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/08/23/cursed-to-golf-switch-review-blossom-tales-2-eshop-discount-price-sales-list/|title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Cursed to Golf' and 'Blossom Tales II', Plus the Latest Releases and Sales|website=TouchArcade|date=August 23, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022}}
| rev1 = NME
| rev2 = Vandal
| rev2Score = 7.5/10{{Cite web|last=Rubio|first=Juan|url=https://vandal.elespanol.com/analisis/pc/cursed-to-golf/106270#p-13|title=Análisis Cursed to Golf, la maldición del golfista (PC, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One)|trans-title=Cursed to Golf review, the golfer's curse (PC, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One)|website=Vandal|date=August 18, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022|language=es}}
}}
Cursed to Golf received "generally favorable" reviews for most platforms according to review aggregator Metacritic; the PlayStation 5 version received "mixed or average" reviews.
Prior to its launch, Cursed to Golf had been described as "the Dark Souls of golf" due to its difficulty.{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Michael |date=August 31, 2021 |title='Cursed to Golf' Gameplay Preview: The 'Dark Souls' Of Golf |url=https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/cursed-to-golf-gameplay-preview-the-dark-souls-of-golf-3033994 |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=NME}}{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Cursed to Golf - Official Introduction Trailer |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/cursed-to-golf-official-introduction-trailer |access-date=August 30, 2021 |website=IGN}} Critics universally noted this difficulty, though viewed it differently: some, like Graham Banas of Push Square, found the difficulty curve to be "satisfying", while others, like Eurogamer Italy{{'}}s Simone Cantini, thought the game to be unnecessarily frustrating.{{Cite web|last=Banas|first=Graham|date=August 18, 2022|title=Mini Review: Cursed to Golf (PS5) - A Fun, Hilarious Spin on the Roguelike|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/cursed-to-golf|access-date=August 22, 2022|website=Push Square}}{{Cite news |last=Cantini |first=Simone |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Cursed to Golf, la recensione |url=https://www.eurogamer.it/cursed-to-golf-recensione |access-date=August 22, 2022 |newspaper=Eurogamer.it |language=it}} Polygon reviewer Russ Frushtick likened the game's intensity to other roguelikes such as Spelunky HD and Slay the Spire, though he specifically highlighted frustrations arising from limited vision and guesswork. In addition, Rachel Watts of Rock Paper Shotgun and Juan Rubio of the Spanish-language site Vandal criticized the game's replayability as a roguelike and its slow pace. However, several reviewers, including GameSpot{{'s}} Steven Petite, praised the simplicity of the game's controls, and individual mechanics like Ace Cards and spinning the ball were commended by Watts and Alan Wen of NME, respectively.
Cursed to Golf{{'s}} pixel art aesthetic was praised by reviewers such as Petite, Wen, and Chris Scullion of Video Games Chronicle. Petite and Scullion also lauded its chiptune soundtrack, though Banas found it to become repetitive. Meanwhile, the latter enjoyed the game's "witty and macabre" writing.
{{Clear}}