It has it all... strippers, bikers, rappers, a good dose of humor and even great gameplay.
If you're looking for virtual tours of Arnold Palmer's clubhouse, a million-dollar view of St. Andrews or the perfectly-replicated swing of Tiger, keep looking. But if you're looking for a little fun or, gasp, entertainment (two things not often associated with the game of golf), then Outlaw Golf for the Xbox is your bag.
Outlaw Golf is a new take on a classic, some say stodgy, game. There are no collared shirts and gently clapping galleries. The players are caricatures of real people you might find on a public course taking their wacks at the greenery. A flamboyant playboy, biker chick, aspiring rapper and yes, a stripper, are among your choices for a golfing avatar, and each has their own unique style and animations. The commentary, voiced by The Daily Show's Steve Carrell, is biting. Slapping around your caddy is a fundamental skill of gameplay.
The controls and gameplay are a new take on the game, as well. Instead of the ubiquitous swing meter found in most PC and console golf games, the swing is controlled by pulling back on the right thumbstick to backswing and following through forward to strike the ball. The farther back you pull, the more power in your swing. The straighter you follow through on the stick, the straighter your shot. It's a simple concept, difficult to execute consistently but satisfying when it's pulled off. Gee, sounds like a real golf swing.
There's also plenty of help. The pre-shot routine shows a clear flight path, assuming you strike the ball perfectly. The greens offer a grid and a putting-path to see how well you've lined up your shot. You can adjust and view a new path up to three times per putt, which seems like a lot until it's put into practice. Some greens are positively tricky and three attempts at a read can be just the beginning.
The most innovative and clever thing to come to golf video games in a long while is Outlaw Golf's Composure Meter. If you play well, you'll stay composed and your shots will come easy. Start making mistakes, and your golfer gets flustered. The effects of the bad shots seem to far outweigh the good, and you'll quickly find your golfer getting more and more rattled. If you've ever picked up a club this sounds familiar, and we owe a debt to whomever finally found a way to put the idea into a game.
The good news about losing your composure is that it gives you an excuse to abuse your caddy. Simply spend a "Beating Token," and you're given the chance to take out your frustrations on your unsuspecting club-carrier. The more combos you pull off, the more calm your golfer is in the end. There are only a few different animations for each golfer taking a wack at his or her caddy, but it's entertaining anyway.
The game looks good, too. It won't beat out Links or Tiger Woods, but the courses are lifelike and make for good scenery. A sparse gallery follows you around the course, offering cheers, claps and groans at all the right moments. They also do their best to get out of the way of your errant shots, but don't always succeed. Until you see them scatter you won't notice that the crowd is made of simple polygonal shapes.
The commentary is a laugh riot, but, as in almost any game, it can get old after you've played a few rounds. The player reactions to bad holes are just as funny. When you see your golfer smack himself in the head with a putter after a triple bogey, you'll feel like you're right there with him. The sounds of the game are spot-on. The metallic "tink" of your cheap clubs hitting the ball is incredibly believable, as are the birds and other ambient sounds of the course. With detailed controls for each of the sound effects, it's easy to adjust the commentary, effects and music to your liking.
And yes, you're using cheap clubs. Better clubs and balls are one of the many unlockables that await you on your way through the tournament circuit. There are several golfers to unlock, too, and you'll have ample opportunity as you play through a dizzying variety of game types, including skins, match and casino play. The only downside to the variety offered is the inclusion of only three courses. This hasn't been an issue yet, but it might get old down the road. With the Xbox's hard drive, it seems reasonable to expect other courses being added to the game at a later date, if the game is successful.
In case it isn't clear, Outlaw Golf is a truly unique golf game which doesn't attempt to compete against the kings of the genre. If you're aren't looking for a look at the lighter side of golf, don't bother with OG. If all of your games need to be kid-friendly, this isn't for you. (It doesn't deserve an "R" rating, but there is minor swearing and more than a little cheesecake.) The golf itself will be enough to keep you busy for many rainy days. And the fun factor, the spectacle of it all, will keep this game at the top of your list when you've got friends looking for a good multiplayer game.
