Gameplay
Those who have played the original Outlaw Golf will definitely have the gist of the second version, which flows up with some unique new features and more of the raucous behavior from the crack crew of characters. The biggest inclusion to this year�s game is Xbox Live play, which is chock full of features for a game that doesn�t take itself too seriously. There eleven different game styles to choose from (see Gameplay Modes for their descriptions) and up to four players per session. The ability to play with a foursome makes OG2 more functional online than another game on the market, and also allows gamers to play a somewhat normal round of golf with the Stroke play option. Seven different abnormal courses are available for Live play, and hosts can set up just about any course conditions imaginable, including nasty rain, hellacious winds, and super-tough pin placements. One of the sweetest features of the online play is the ability to toggle between turn-based play or simultaneous play. Turn-based play is similar to what you will find in Links, where players must await the turns of their compadres before being able to hit their shot. While this is okay for critiquing a gamer�s style or ability, it creates a lot of down time, especially in four player matches. Simultaneous play moves the play along faster than a course marshal at Pebble Beach on Sunday, allowing for much speedier games with more action per minute. One reason you may want to play turned-based style, however, is the ability to taunt your opponent. A taunt will send vibrations through your opponent�s controller, and also provide some interesting words of �encouragement� along as well. Turn-based will also allow awaiting players the ability to fully control a camera, giving interesting views of opponent�s characters; I�m sure nobody is going to use this feature to zoom in on Harley�s rock while killing time. Word on the street too is that there�s some cool downloadable content that will available in the near future, such as new courses and even [gulp] new outfits for the sultry Summer.
There are some crazy new characters to accompany some of your old favorites, such as the aforementioned hoochie-mamma, Summer, and everybody�s favorite talent-less white rapper, Ice Trey. My man Trey is complete with his Fifty Cent bullet-proof vest, and a host of FUBU and Roca-inspired gear. Many players will care more about the gals will be wearin� instead of tha� Trey, and there ill be no disappointments for the CGI-pervs out there. The ladies are as scantily-clad as possible, with halter-tops being appropriate golf attire for OG2�s courses. Those of you who have checked out Outlaw Volleyball will know many of the new characters in Outlaw Golf 2, like the slack-jawed yokel, Clem. Clem the country bumpkin is in place of Scrummy, the rugby bloke who will be sorely missed. Caddy beatings return, and are more violent and over-the-top than last year. You�ll also probably notice that the sexual undertones have been turned up past ten too, making many of the cut-scenes look like peep show acts - no complaints on this end.
The actual gameplay in OG2 has changed quite a bit over the original game as well. The physics are much more realistic this time around, really challenging players that have given themselves interesting lies. Hitting a ball on a down-hill lie will react as it should - a worm-burner is likely the result unless the gamer makes the proper adjustments. Course surfaces are also much more realistic than the original game which makes the balls roll at a completely different pace. Balls seem not to roll as true or perpetually as in the first game; the grain of the grass and the green, plus any foreign surfaces, will force gamers to use a bit more skill and precision before selecting a shot. Players will also have more options around the course in terms of shot selection this year, being able to punch, flop, chip, or pitch, rather than being limited to just a �special� ball.
Courses from the original game are back, but have been revamped a bit to keep things fresh. There are eight new courses in all, with the craziest being the appropriately-named Psycho Sands. Psycho Sands plays like a full-size miniature golf course, complete with a �Normandy� hole featuring live mine fields, an Area 51 hole, and one hole that looks like it came directly from It�s a Small World. You can get at least an idea of the challenges that await at the other new holes just by their names; Glacier Ridge, Aztec Acres, and Mosquito Greens don�t exactly sound like the most inviting courses in the world.
