Super Swing Golf Season 2 (Wii)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Aaron Thomas
• Reviewed on: 02/06/2008
• Released on: 12/11/2007
• Originally published on GameSpot: Super Swing Golf Season 2 (Wii) Review

The first Super Swing Golf for the Wii was an enjoyable yet flawed game. There aren't many changes to be found in its sequel, Super Swing Golf Season 2, but the few alterations have improved the experience significantly. Although it's less frustrating now, the game still has a significant hurdle: You can essentially play the same game (known as Albatross 18) for free on your PC. Sure, there are no motion controls, and you'll have to shell out some cash if you wish to unlock all of the items, but it's tough to justify a $40 price tag for the Wii version, even if the game is pretty good.

Take one look at the box for Season 2 and you'll instantly notice more than a few similarities to the Hot Shots Golf series. These similarities become only more apparent when you start to play; the visual style, the characters, and even the gameplay bear more than a passing resemblance to Sony's popular golf franchise. There are a few different play options, such as practice, versus CPU, and offline multiplayer, but you'll spend most of your time in tour mode because that's where you unlock new characters and courses. You begin by picking either a male or female character, both of whom are beginners with limited skills. From there you're taken to an overworld map where you can travel to different areas, though only one is initially available. Once you select an area, you are taken to another map that resembles a board game. The goal is to make your way across the board to the end, where a rival golfer awaits your challenge. Once you've beaten the rival, you unlock that character along with a new area. Thankfully, the developer has chosen to focus less on providing a story, which is a good thing if you found yourself suffering through the inane dialogue in the first game. There's still a bit of yapping between golfers, but it's mostly painless, and you have the option to skip it if it becomes too taxing.

Beating the golfer at the end of each area is challenging, but just getting to them will take the most time. You'll have to play a number of short rounds of golf along the way. Generally the challenges are either stroke or match play, but you'll occasionally have to play minigames such as bull's-eye or a long-drive contest, too. Unfortunately, that's about all the variety there is to the proceedings, and you'll find yourself wishing for more game types just a few hours into the tour. Though there's little variety found on the course, there's plenty to be found in the form of unlockables. You'll earn pang (the in-game currency) for good shots and for winning. You can then use this money to unlock new outfits, clubs, caddies, and more. It's a shame that the game's multiplayer doesn't add a whole lot to the package. You can play rounds of golf against up to three other people as well as participate in a few minigames that are fun in short doses, but everything is strictly offline. Granted, the Wii doesn't have too many online games, but it does have some, and this game is based on a series that's entire focus is online play.

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