golf—where you can sip iced tea, contemplate the vast emptiness of existence, and get vexed at a tiny dimpled ball. 'Actua Golf 2' takes you right into this zen-like experience, promising to be the calm in the storm of teen angst. Can a PS1 game actually deliver all of that? Let’s dig in and find out!
Gameplay in 'Actua Golf 2' revolves around traditional click-based mechanics, which is as exciting as it sounds. You have less control than a toddler with a crayon, and you can pick from various game modes like 'match play' and 'skins'. Did I mention there are six gloriously detailed golf courses? Well, they are set up so players can pretend they’re elite golfers, swinging away like they’re auditioning for an early 90s sitcom about golf. Oh, and customizing your golfer? You can pick their outfits. Because nothing screams ‘professional athlete’ quite like plaid shorts and a crazy Hawaiian shirt. Let’s not even get started on the online multiplayer feature that could only be described as 'optimistic' given the waiting times—if you could find a match at all.
In a world where graphics like 'Final Fantasy VII' existed, 'Actua Golf 2' pushes the boundaries of what we call ‘visuals’ in ways that truly inspire tears, but probably not the good kind. The backgrounds look like they were painted with a damp sponge, and the animated golfers? They swing their clubs like they’ve just chugged two energy drinks and are way too excited about the average number of strokes. While the PC version claims to have some decent water graphics, it’s the golf swings that really leave you wondering if you accidentally downloaded a beta version.
Overall, 'Actua Golf 2' is a mix of mild amusement and rising frustration. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the slow decline of enthusiasm while playing something that has a decent chance of giving you a headache, then this is for you. While the golf game tries to offer a fun round with the lads, you might find yourself longing for a good ol’ Mario Kart session instead. So, while I wouldn’t recommend it as your next best pick, it does serve well if you ever need a cure for insomnia.
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