Review of Zio Golf v. 1.21 by ZioSoft

Link:  For More information, go to the Ziogolf homepage.

 Discussion:

Zio Golf is a game similar to MS golf or any of the Links series.  And just like golf, the main object is to get a little white ball into a little hole 400 yards away by hitting it with a metal club.  While nothing replaces the joy, and frustration, of actually being out on the course, Zio Golf does a pretty good job of allowing you to play a round without having to pay a hefty green fee and devote half a day to looking for a darn ball.

Zio Golf supports up to 4 players, any of which can be a human or computer opponent.  You play the game exactly the same way as any other computer golf game on the market, with one major difference . . . everything is smaller.  Which can cause a problem when trying to swing your club.  Just like the computer golf games, you click on the swing area to start your shot.  Once you reach the desired power level, you click the area again to determine the “straightness” of your shot.  Unfortunately, you have to click on the swing area at exactly the right moment, or else you’ll overpower, hook, or slice your otherwise perfect shot into your neighbor’s yard.  Very frustrating especially when given the fact that you cannot undo a shot. 

Other than the swing problem, the game is very entertaining.  The graphics are very well done, you have many different club and shot options to choose from, and you can see a map of the hole in the upper right hand corner.  Additionally, you have to deal with changing wind patterns, and you can view the course from either the traditional view, a top down look, or a view from the hole.  The swinging golfer looks fairly realistic, and you can watch the ball, and it’s shadow, as it flies through the air.  Once the ball gets close to the ground, the camera position changes so you can see where your ball will end up.

Overall, I thought it was a very interesting game.  If you are a fan of the computer golf genre of games, you’ll love the ability to play a quick round on your handheld anywhere you may be.  The joy of being able to pull out your PocketPC and play a couple of holes in the middle of a meeting is priceless!  However, if you’re not a fan of this style of game, or don’t want to be frustrated by barely missed shots, it might not be the best game for you.