Re: Decisions, decisions
Posted: December 26th, 2019, 1:29 pm
Here are my first impressions of playing Links 2003 after 3-4 years, possibly even 5 years because I did stop playing totally for a while. Some info on my first round and the GA.
First, I could not care less if another golf game NEVER comes out for PC. Links 2003 is and will always be a great golf game. Playing again after such a decent break, starting things from scratch after switching from Pro to Champ click, it's like a new game!
I picked the MS version of Banff Springs to play my Q-School round and the first Pro round so I could then withdraw and start the real season.
In 2003, Banff is lifeless, has no soul, that's what it felt like. The MS courses can be real fun to play but they need Links 2000 or earlier. Banff converted for 2003 with 2003 shadows and textures, Banff clearly loses all it's drama and appeal.
I played my 2 Banff rounds then started the real season with Wentworth West. It was kinda like playing Links 2001 for the first time when Eichenried was first released. A real fun WOW round thinking to myself, "How good does this course look!"
I know back when Links was current, I sometimes had people over. I'd show them the game and the first thing they would say is how good the graphics look. Well, they still pretty good today! I think people date and consider the game dated because it doesn't have moving visuals but that doesn't mean it doesn't still have great graphics. Wentworth West is still very much an eye opener to what Links 2003 can achieve graphically.
I've only played one round so far, 2 under, leader at 11 under, borderline position for making the cut I would say. I set my field at 128 players like the older Links versions and the cut will be 56 players. I always used a 200 player field in the past but it seems the scoring and challenge may be better with a 128 player field. I'll see how things pan out over subsequent rounds/tournaments.
The GA. I had the problem hole wrong. I thought it was #2 but then when I hit the other uphill par 3 (14th hole) I realised I had the wrong hole earlier.
I opened the GA every hole. No issues at all till the 14th. I opened the GA on the tee, went to rotate it and it crashed Links. I restarted Links, tried again, soon as I opened it Links crashed. Restarted again, didn't open it, hit shot, then opened on the green. Soon as it opened, Links crashed. Didn't try and open it again on this hole. Finished the round, opened it on the remaining holes. Hole 14 was the only hole that gave grief. This was the one that always gave grief in the past and there often were others with this course but no idea which holes.
Win 10 can safely be ruled out as any type of saviour. I did only have the 14th give crashes which I do think would be some kind of stability record.
The course is locked. Shame courses were locked because would be great to see (and fix) why this hole may give issues. Be nice to also have a version with no tournament objects. There was a course unlocker floating around in the past. Rehit, Mike Jones and crew had access (likely created the thing) to it. If anyone has it, maybe time to make it available so people here can go about fixing some of the issues left in this game.
To summarize, Links 2003 is still one heck of a golf game. Those guys designing or anyone thinking about it, go for it! Links 2003 will be around for a while yet and I don't think anyone will be wasting their time.
I had an absolute blast playing 2003 again and was honestly WOW'd by the visual experience.
First, I could not care less if another golf game NEVER comes out for PC. Links 2003 is and will always be a great golf game. Playing again after such a decent break, starting things from scratch after switching from Pro to Champ click, it's like a new game!
I picked the MS version of Banff Springs to play my Q-School round and the first Pro round so I could then withdraw and start the real season.
In 2003, Banff is lifeless, has no soul, that's what it felt like. The MS courses can be real fun to play but they need Links 2000 or earlier. Banff converted for 2003 with 2003 shadows and textures, Banff clearly loses all it's drama and appeal.
I played my 2 Banff rounds then started the real season with Wentworth West. It was kinda like playing Links 2001 for the first time when Eichenried was first released. A real fun WOW round thinking to myself, "How good does this course look!"
I know back when Links was current, I sometimes had people over. I'd show them the game and the first thing they would say is how good the graphics look. Well, they still pretty good today! I think people date and consider the game dated because it doesn't have moving visuals but that doesn't mean it doesn't still have great graphics. Wentworth West is still very much an eye opener to what Links 2003 can achieve graphically.
I've only played one round so far, 2 under, leader at 11 under, borderline position for making the cut I would say. I set my field at 128 players like the older Links versions and the cut will be 56 players. I always used a 200 player field in the past but it seems the scoring and challenge may be better with a 128 player field. I'll see how things pan out over subsequent rounds/tournaments.
The GA. I had the problem hole wrong. I thought it was #2 but then when I hit the other uphill par 3 (14th hole) I realised I had the wrong hole earlier.
I opened the GA every hole. No issues at all till the 14th. I opened the GA on the tee, went to rotate it and it crashed Links. I restarted Links, tried again, soon as I opened it Links crashed. Restarted again, didn't open it, hit shot, then opened on the green. Soon as it opened, Links crashed. Didn't try and open it again on this hole. Finished the round, opened it on the remaining holes. Hole 14 was the only hole that gave grief. This was the one that always gave grief in the past and there often were others with this course but no idea which holes.
Win 10 can safely be ruled out as any type of saviour. I did only have the 14th give crashes which I do think would be some kind of stability record.
The course is locked. Shame courses were locked because would be great to see (and fix) why this hole may give issues. Be nice to also have a version with no tournament objects. There was a course unlocker floating around in the past. Rehit, Mike Jones and crew had access (likely created the thing) to it. If anyone has it, maybe time to make it available so people here can go about fixing some of the issues left in this game.
To summarize, Links 2003 is still one heck of a golf game. Those guys designing or anyone thinking about it, go for it! Links 2003 will be around for a while yet and I don't think anyone will be wasting their time.
I had an absolute blast playing 2003 again and was honestly WOW'd by the visual experience.