FORE!!  Unfortunately, when I think of computer golf games, the majority of the time, I also think about sleeping.  In the past, the realism and graphics of almost all computer golf simulation games has been substandard.  After all, it's not like the manufacturer had to worry about characters running around and weapons fire flying all over the screen.  Their biggest challenge was making the ball fly.  Now with advancements in 3d Game engine technology, more is expected from all games.  

This is where Links 2001 from Microsoft steps in.  Another addition to the long line of Links golf games from Microsoft, Links 2001 is a welcome addition to the genre.  With movie like graphics and some pretty fancy game types, Links 2k1 brings golf simulation games to a whole new level.

Game play
Microsoft does a good job of laying out the menu structure to make it very easy to navigate.  As you enter the game, the menus are very well laid out with little to no hidden options.  Unfortunately, the full menu options are far too expansive to get into here.  Rest assured that if you don't already own this game, when you decide to buy it, you will have no problems setting up your game and finding your way around the expansive menu lay-out.

Links 2k1 has the ability to keep you playing whether you are looking to relax and play an easy game or whether you want to play some competition games with friends.  Whether you are in the mood to whack a few golf balls around or you want to play one of the world's premier golf courses, Links 2k1 has you covered.

The control of the game is very similar to the other games in this genre. You tell your player where to hit the ball by your placement of the marker pin via the movement of your mouse.  You also tell your character how hard to hit the ball by clicking on your power-meter.  The speed with which you click on the power meter doesn't just judge the power you put behind the ball, but also the way that you hit the ball.  This will screw with your flight pattern by judging slice or hook based on over-swing or under-swing.

One of the more enjoyable parts of this game is the reaction of your character as you play.  These reactions can be categorized into three different types.  The three types are: impatient, negative, and positive (remembering - of course - that each of the characters available have different personalities and therefore have different responses to each of these types).

The first is impatient.  If you take too long to swing, your character stands there and looks at you.  Sometimes your character will tap their feet, with their hands on their hips.  At other times they will throw their hands up into the air, trying to get you to remember to play the game.  

Next is the negative actions by the character.  For instance, if you hit the ball in an area that they do not like, sometimes he/she will throw a fit, and sometimes he/she will just make a snide remark.

The last reaction from your character is positive.  The positive reactions can range from a nice comment about how good a shot that last one was, to holding their hands above their head in triumph.

Because of the great use of graphics and sound, Links 2k1 is probably one of the most realistic games that I have ever seen.  When your golfer takes a swing, it's like you're watching TV.  The flight of the ball is also very realistic in that the wind and contour of the ground have very realistic effects on the travel of the ball.

Video
Playing Links 2001 is like directing and then watching a movie.  First you tell the game where to hit the ball and how hard to hit it.  Then you sit back and watch your player swing with all the realism of watching Tiger Woods on TV.  Not only are the swings great, but the animated reactions of the player are both realistic and amusing.  

Not only are the graphics of the player spectacular, but the scenery of the different golf courses is unbelievable.  Landscapes look so real that you can judge the contour of the green from 100 feet away.  The backdrops for all the courses are astonishingly lifelike.  I doubt that I will ever have the occasion to play golf in England, but in Links 2k1 I can at least visualize what it might look like.

Audio
There is really no audio to speak of in links 2k1.  Of note are the voices of the characters as they chastise you or praise you.  They are very well done and give very little indication of being "computerized."  The birds flying overhead and the wind whistling by are well done and sound realistic.  There is also the sound of the crowd when you sink a birdie putt or when you make a long distance shot.  The only other sound to speak of is the sound of the club hitting the ball.  Although this isn't all that complicated, it still adds a nice touch to the game, helping the player get into the game.

Conclusion
My conclusion is simple.  I like this game.  Before Links 2001 I wouldn't have even thought of playing a golf simulation game.  It never occurred to me that a game of this type could be this much fun..  With great realism and a type of golf game for just about anyone, Links 2001 sets a new standard.  Will Links 2001 fulfill your need to go outside and punish some golf balls?  No, but it will keep you busy during these cold winter months and keep you longing for the first tee time of the summer season.

Review by:  Eric Krebill Date: March 14, 2001