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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: Walkabout Minigolf
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your progress is saved automatically, allowing you to play at your own pace. If you quit the game before finishing a course, you can resume the game by selecting the course again and choosing to continue. There's no real way to pause this game, but since nothing happens without you doing anything, it's kind of a moot point. Time needed per session:This is the sort of game where you don't want to be rushed, so I'd suggest giving yourself at least fifteen minutes per session, though longer is probably better.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians There is some spooky stuff, such as pirate skeletons or the creatures from Labyrinth, but everything is intended as lighthearted fun. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/walkabout_minigolf_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/walkabout_minigolf_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/walkabout_minigolf_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Walkabout Minigolf is a casual virtual reality game about well, playing minigolf. The name is a little bit of a misnomer though; most of the time, you're going to be teleporting around the course instead of walking. Walking is still an option if you have a large enough play area, of course.
When you start the game, you'll find yourself in front of a caddy shack. Here you can select your ball, putter, and course. You can also customize your avatar and invite other VR players to join your game from here. Once you've made your selections, you'll be sent to the first hole of the course, and the game begins.
Playing Walkabout Minigolf isn't much different than a real game of minigolf. You'll tap the ball with your putter, hopefully sending it towards the cup at the end of the current hole. Like real minigolf courses, there are going to be obstacles in the way, such as borders, windmills, ramps, pipes, and various other surprises. This title takes advantage of being a VR game to include some unique (and physically impossible) hazards, but it should be familiar enough.
A word of caution though: you are limited to three strokes over par (triple bogey) on every hole. Should you fail to sink the ball within this limit, you'll be forced to move on to the next hole.
One major difference between this game and real minigolf is how you move around. To start moving to another spot, press up on the controller's joystick. This places the movement target in the world, and you can position it by moving the controller. Releasing the joystick will teleport you to the new position, assuming that the game will allow you to stand there. If the target is over a place where you can't go, it will change color from blue to red. You can also rotate your view of the game world by tapping the joystick left or right.
Additionally, there is a flight option: point your club straight up at the sky while holding up on the joystick, and within moments you'll start lifting off. Once airborne, you can move anywhere by pointing your club in the direction you want to go and holding up on the joystick. You can even pass through objects while flying! To return to the normal "walking" mode, aim straight down or teleport to your ball again.
Now, I admit that I'm not the sort of person who normally enjoys sports. However, this is definitely a VR game to get, and it's managed to get me curious about other VR sport games. New courses are also added as DLC on a regular basis, so it isn't going to get stale anytime soon.
When you start the game, you'll find yourself in front of a caddy shack. Here you can select your ball, putter, and course. You can also customize your avatar and invite other VR players to join your game from here. Once you've made your selections, you'll be sent to the first hole of the course, and the game begins.
Playing Walkabout Minigolf isn't much different than a real game of minigolf. You'll tap the ball with your putter, hopefully sending it towards the cup at the end of the current hole. Like real minigolf courses, there are going to be obstacles in the way, such as borders, windmills, ramps, pipes, and various other surprises. This title takes advantage of being a VR game to include some unique (and physically impossible) hazards, but it should be familiar enough.
A word of caution though: you are limited to three strokes over par (triple bogey) on every hole. Should you fail to sink the ball within this limit, you'll be forced to move on to the next hole.
One major difference between this game and real minigolf is how you move around. To start moving to another spot, press up on the controller's joystick. This places the movement target in the world, and you can position it by moving the controller. Releasing the joystick will teleport you to the new position, assuming that the game will allow you to stand there. If the target is over a place where you can't go, it will change color from blue to red. You can also rotate your view of the game world by tapping the joystick left or right.
Additionally, there is a flight option: point your club straight up at the sky while holding up on the joystick, and within moments you'll start lifting off. Once airborne, you can move anywhere by pointing your club in the direction you want to go and holding up on the joystick. You can even pass through objects while flying! To return to the normal "walking" mode, aim straight down or teleport to your ball again.
Now, I admit that I'm not the sort of person who normally enjoys sports. However, this is definitely a VR game to get, and it's managed to get me curious about other VR sport games. New courses are also added as DLC on a regular basis, so it isn't going to get stale anytime soon.
Points of Interest
8 Courses
The base game comes with a total of eight courses, each with their own theme. A few resemble real-world minigolf courses easily enough, but there are some more unique places to explore, like a bamboo garden, gothic cemetery, and a space station. Each setting is also available in an easy and hard version, though the latter must be unlocked through gameplay. In addition to small changes in their layout, many of the hard versions take place after dark, giving them a somewhat eerie feeling.
Hidden surprises
Each course has 18 "lost balls" hidden somewhere. These are fancy golf balls that some unknown player ended up losing during their game, and if you can find them, you'll gain the privilege of using them yourself. Many of these balls feature colorful geometric designs, but there are a few with fancier patterns, such as different flags or skulls.
Finding ten of these balls on a course is the easiest way to unlock the course's hard version, so keep your eyes peeled.
Finding ten of these balls on a course is the easiest way to unlock the course's hard version, so keep your eyes peeled.
Fox hunts
The hard version of a course doesn't have any new balls for you to collect. Instead, they feature a "fox hunt". These are scavenger hunts that will take you all over the course, with clues pointing to the next objective. Each hunt features a theme unique to the course you're playing, and often tells a short story. Once you find every clue and finish the hunt, you'll be rewarded with a new club to use during play.
Driving and practice ranges
While you're at the shack, turn around and you'll find some extra content. There's an entire practice course for you to explore, and there's a driving range to help you with your distance shots. Both are optional, but they can help a lot if you're having trouble with some of the actual courses.
DLCs offer more courses
If you like what you see in the main game, you can purchase more courses from the game's main menu. Each DLC package contains another 18 lost balls, a fox hunt, and the easy and hard versions of a course. Interestingly enough, these courses are more likely to contain surprises and unusual designs than the original eight. For example, if you're playing the Labyrinth course and your ball falls into the infamous Bog of Eternal Stench, there'll be a sickly green gas floating about your golf ball for the rest of the game.
Concerns and Issues
Not for people with certain phobias
Easily the most unsettling part of this game is that the courses have no regard for real world physics. This typically results in areas that are very, very high up and positioned without visible supports. If you're afraid of heights, the layout of these courses will either terrify you or cure you of that phobia.
Note that your ball can, and probably will, fall off these ledges.
Note that your ball can, and probably will, fall off these ledges.
Spooky settings
Several of the locations have some spooky or creepy elements, like dead pirates, graves, references to vampires, and other common fantasy topics. Even the space station gets in on the act, as the hard version of the course features a giant bug infestation.