The Golf Club Early Access Available Now on Steam For $29.99 - Post Your Impressions

[Lieutenant Dan]

Quote: Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS

All that is known right now is the fact they have pushed the release to the summer, instead of spring.

Ouch. I am reading July-ish from that.

Disappointing on the wait, but it will be worth it for an optimal experience that hopefully won't require a massive rescue patch right off.

[OnlookerDelay]

I'm a bit relieved to read that they aren't going to rush the console versions out yet. This game would be a bust on the consoles if it were to be released in the state it's currently playing on the PC, IMO. HBS has some serious tweaking with the swing mechanic, ball physics, score and stat tracking, and multiplayer status control before it's what I would consider to be "Ready for Prime Time". They're getting there, but the progress is slower than I would have expected.

Remember, it's much harder for developers to patch a console game than it is a PC game. They have to go through a costly, and time consuming certification process to deliver a patch. Server side patches are not an issue, as they can be done at the desire of the publisher, but most of what I'm seeing in the most glaring need of improvement is game code. Give 'em a little more time, I think we'll be much happier with the release version if we let them sort these critical gameplay issues out. The pitching game in TGC is playing like laser lawn darts; it doesn't feel or look anything like golf. This HAS to be fixed to where pitches roll out, like pitches are supposed to roll out, especially from the rough! If I'm within 56 yards of the pin, I'm confident that I'm going to get up and down with a laser pitch shot, 9 times out of 10. That's just way too unrealistic.

[ralphieboy11]

Quote: Originally Posted by OnlookerDelay

I'm a bit relieved to read that they aren't going to rush the console versions out yet. This game would be a bust on the consoles if it were to be released in the state it's currently playing on the PC, IMO. HBS has some serious tweaking with the swing mechanic, ball physics, score and stat tracking, and multiplayer status control before it's what I would consider to be "Ready for Prime Time". They're getting there, but the progress is slower than I would have expected. Remember, it's much harder for developers to patch a console game than it is a PC game. They have to go through a costly, and time consuming certification process to deliver a patch. Server side patches are not an issue, as they can be done at the desire of the publisher, but most of what I'm seeing in the most glaring need of improvement is game code. Give 'em a little more time, I think we'll be much happier with the release version if we let them sort these critical gameplay issues out. The pitching game in TGC is playing like laser lawn darts; it doesn't feel or look anything like golf. This HAS to be fixed to where pitches roll out, like pitches are supposed to roll out, especially from the rough! If I'm within 56 yards of the pin, I'm confident that I'm going to get up and down with a laser pitch shot, 9 times out of 10. That's just way too unrealistic.

Amen! I've been trying to put as much stuff about the physics and pitching as I can on the HB Studios forums. I'm loving the course creator but the ball physics and knowing that I can get up and down from anywhere within 100 yards are ruining the game play for me at the moment.

[Cod]

Phobia, I got some thoughts on your newest course, Yellow Brick Road. First, I love the environment and landscape of the course. The hills provide for some interesting decisions on some shots...I remember I had to go with a 5-wood and less power over a 4-iron due to a giant hill in front of me. The only thing I really didn't like were the greens. Only a few of them had any flat spots at all and on some of the holes, the cup itself was leaning pretty dramatically. Also, and not your fault, the greens on your course are made tougher by the fact that the uphill / downhill speeds on the greens are currently a little messed up (long thread about it at TGC official forums). Overall though, I think its a pretty decent course.

On a separate note, does anyone know how to join someone's live game when playing with a controller? I've seen the message come up a few times that someone is starting a course, but can't figure out how to click the join or dismiss button. Any help is appreciated.

[Phobia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cod

Phobia, I got some thoughts on your newest course, Yellow Brick Road. First, I love the environment and landscape of the course. The hills provide for some interesting decisions on some shots...I remember I had to go with a 5-wood and less power over a 4-iron due to a giant hill in front of me. The only thing I really didn't like were the greens. Only a few of them had any flat spots at all and on some of the holes, the cup itself was leaning pretty dramatically. Also, and not your fault, the greens on your course are made tougher by the fact that the uphill / downhill speeds on the greens are currently a little messed up (long thread about it at TGC official forums). Overall though, I think its a pretty decent course. On a separate note, does anyone know how to join someone's live game when playing with a controller? I've seen the message come up a few times that someone is starting a course, but can't figure out how to click the join or dismiss button. Any help is appreciated.

I was complaining to my cousin yesterday I wish you could edit courses after published because I have the same gripes about the greens.

Give me other one a shot and see what you think. The Wetlands

[Cod]

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

I was complaining to my cousin yesterday I wish you could edit courses after published because I have the same gripes about the greens. Give me other one a shot and see what you think. The Wetlands

Nice course. Reminds me of some of the local public courses I played growing up in the southeast. Not sure why the game calls it medium difficulty, I felt like it was more of the easy category (minus the final hole). If you check out the activity screen on Steam (I can't access it right now), I posted a screenshot of my round on The Wetlands. I really like hole #11

[Phobia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cod

Nice course. Reminds me of some of the local public courses I played growing up in the southeast. Not sure why the game calls it medium difficulty, I felt like it was more of the easy category (minus the final hole). If you check out the activity screen on Steam (I can't access it right now), I posted a screenshot of my round on The Wetlands. I really like hole #11

That is why I wanted you too check it out and see why on YBR I tried to make it more difficult with more green breaks. The problem is the greens don't feel authentic which can lead to some frustrating 3 or 4 putts. Yet on YBR I spent a lot more time placing every rack in the bunkers, every sign, range markers, etc.

I like the feel of The wetlands more, I just wish I spent the time to personalize it with buildings, signs, markers, wildlife, etc.

Edit: Stuck a double eagle, wow lol

[greenegt]

Great perspective on the delay, OnlookerDelay and ralphieboy11. I think this game has potential to be a big hit and it is imperative that HBS nails the gameplay for official release. With all the good feedback coming in from the Early Access release, I'm confident they will do just that.