Tee Off (DC)
Tee Off (DC) - Tee Off (DC) Dreamcast Game

Product Type: other Dreamcast games

Newest Review: ... titles released to some acclaim in 2000. As far as golf was concerned however, it never really found a home on the console. Except f... more

amazon

Tee Off (DC)
Tee Off (DC)

thole09

Member Name: thole09

Product:

Tee Off (DC)

Date: 09/02/10

Rating:

Advantages: Some graphics

Disadvantages: Simple gameplay

"Tee Off" is a golf video game. It was first released for the Sega Dreamcast in 1999 by Acclaim. In the United States, the game received an age guidance rating of "E" which deemed it appropriate for all ages.

Tee Off is standard fare in terms of golf video games. It does not waver too far from the fairway in terms of golfing standards, though does occasionally find itself in the sand trap. One stumbling point I find is its implementation of a "Cautious" swing. When this mode is activated prior to swinging the golf club, the player will notice the three stroke system noticeably slow down which allows a greater sense of pinpoint accuracy when selecting first the strength of the shot and then the centring of the club in relation to the golf ball. This slowness is said to be at the cost of swinging distance, however in actual practice I find it does not significantly impact on performance. On each of the game's five included courses based on global locations such as England and Japan, I am able to utilize the cautious swing and make par without any added sense of restriction.

The game itself allows players to pick from one of four default characters who each possess their own strengths and weaknesses. From there, the player may select his or her preferred golf clubs and balls in accordance with the character's preferences and the player's own abilities. After that, it's off to the presented location to play through a series of 18 holes. As per the traditional rules of golf, the player with the lowest score is the winner which is measured by the number of shots taken and any added penalties such as going out of bounds. Players may also receive a "point" bonus dependent on personal performance in the game, and these points are transferable for hidden accessories and characters. This provides Tee Off with some replay value, though I find the gameplay mechanics too simple for my taste and the title isn't one which enters my console very often.

The graphics of Tee Off are strongly rooted in an anime design. The more apparent sense of seriousness which dominates the genre is not present in this title, and the approach comes off as being a casual pursuit. Each character is a large headed short individual with differing facial expressions and gestures. This is about the extent of the video game's visual prowess. I found each golf course to be centrally themed to its suggested location, though there is a strong sense of repetition throughout each course and its design. Ultimately, the experience reduces itself to the idea that playing the first course equals playing all 18 holes. The soundtrack is also very cartoon-like. A series of upbeat and fun musical scores accompany a small sampling of vocal murmurs which comes across as appropriate for this title.

Tee Off is perhaps something I would recommend to recreational golfers or those who are inexperienced within the golfing genre. It is a very simple video game to master, and its "cartoony" artwork and sound effects weren't all that captivating for me as a player. More serious golfing enthusiasts may want to avoid this video game.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle