Developer: Access Software, Inc. Publisher: Microsoft Corp. Realistic Minimum System Requirements: · Pentium 200MHz CPU. · Windows 95/98. · 64 MB of RAM for Windows 95/98. · Quad-Speed CD-ROM drive or faster. · Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device. · 8 MB video capable of 800x600 resolution. · 32-bit sound card. · 144 MB of free hard disk space. · 56 Kbps or faster modem for head-to-head play. Number of Players: Up to Eight Control options: Two-Button Mouse recommended Rating: Family When Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced in April of 1999 that it was acquiring 100% of Salt Lake City based Access Software, Inc. - the seventeen year creator and developer of the Links and LinksLS series of PC-based golf games - many PC golfing gamers had a look of both optimism and concern on their faces. Optimism in the sense that Microsoft Corp. offered Access Software, Inc. the financial and distribution channel support that could only help it build new functionality while also providing it access to much better worldwide shelf space and diversified distribution channels. At the same time, PC golf gamers, like the author, were concerned that the big company may force certain changes and concepts that would stop Access Software, Inc.'s development team from continuing its present path of enhancements to the LinksLS golf game series. This author is happy to report after carefully reviewing and testing LinksLS 2000 that the two firms have proved that early optimism was well founded, while possible concerns have been proven largely incorrect. LinksLS 2000 is as sophisticated and broad a golf simulation game as there is currently available on the PC. Packaging, User Manuals and Installation (9 out of 10) The game's packaging is slick, with the reverse cover fold-out that is similar to the EA Sports packaging. This book style packaging offers details as to the depth and play of the game itself. The author believes that while Arnold Palmer is a true legend and gentlemen in the world of golf, Microsoft needs to add a younger legend on its box. My twelve year old innocently confirmed this thought when he noted to me "Dad, who is that old guy". The printed manual itself is very good. The quick start process and detailed lay-out of how the four Swing methods work is very solid. The manual nicely explains the details of the new Easy Swing (i.e., one-click swing that a PC golf game or anyone can do) as well as the two Classic Swings (i.e., the two-click and three-click) and PowerStroke Swing. The back cover has an excellent chart of all the Swings and the mechanics involved. The online play chapter (chapter 12) also lays out precisely the method to get you online quickly and easily. Installation of LinksLS 2000 itself is also easy, though the nearly 750MB for the complete installation option, makes this game a hard drive consumable. The minimum installation of 144MB is acceptable, though performance is significantly better when the complete installation is loaded to the hard drive. A minimum 8MB video card is recommended for fluid game play and graphics that keep up with the game's true design and layout. The author tested this game on a Dell Dimension XPS 600Mhz system, with 256MB of RAM, 32MB of video RAM, 48x CD-ROM, 64-bit sound card, Microsoft Corp. two-button mouse, 56Kbps modem and complete hard drive installation (still need CD for all of the game's sounds). Game Play (9.5 out of 10) Game play itself is very similar to LinksLS 99. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it does not appear that any significant "game play" changes have occurred beyond the new Easy Swing option and Amateur Play option. At the same time, it is true that LinksLS 2000 has incorporated five new Modes of Play - for a total of 35 different modes (before one can access the Modes of Play editor for unlimited options). One new Mode of Play - Fuzzy Zoeller's Wolf Challenge - is worth a try as it is an interesting "best ball" deviation that is really a lot of fun for multiplayer games. With respect to the PC golf swing itself, the Easy Swing option will appeal to those unfamiliar with golf (why would they play this game?) and for those who don't like double-clicking a mouse. On the negative side, the Easy Swing option is so simple that it is not really enough fun for the average PC golfer. The Powerstroke Swing continues to be a difficult swing mechanism, while the Classic Swings (two and three mouse clicks) are still by far the best, true approaches to the LinksLS 2000 game Swing. Clearly, with so many swing choices available, there will be at least one that anybody will like and use. Overall, the general playability and timing of the game - and the realistic and remarkable ball physics - remains loyal to its original users. The ball travels and moves as it would on a real golf course and finds its way into all kinds of predicaments. How the golf ball spins, bounces and moves from the golfer's swing is very natural - giving the game its uncanny true life feel - as is the movement of the ball when it lands on or hits the often unnatural surfaces (e.g., man-made lakes and roads) it comes in contact with. The main menu and start game options are clear, though the long-time slightly confusing nature of getting all the right golfers selected and to the first tee, still needs to be better thought out. Overall, the menu driven player interface from start to end is simple and logical. One improvement needs to be made, however, and that is how a PC golfer re-positions himself/herself from clipping out of a bad lie or spot (i.e., behind a tree) to a location that is not to the flag/green itself. The "Rotate" menu option on the left hand, bottom side of the screen is not as intuitive as the designers must have believed. Players often have to try a few "swings" or "rotation setups" to get a feel for how it works. A very significant new feature this year is the ability to play on the Internet via Microsoft Corp's Gaming Zone. Testing of this site proven to be fun and easy to play with access to a variety of cyber-golfers. The fact that it is fully linked with Microsoft Corp's Gaming Zone made it a simple process. Graphics (8.5 out of 10) Links LS 2000 includes six courses: Covered Bridge Golf Club, Hapuna Golf Course, Mauna Kea Resort, St. Andrews Links Jubilee Course, St. Andrews Links New Course, and Old Course at St. Andrews. The new courses, as before, are beautifully rendered and life like. The overall re-draw speed is good, even when the game was set at the maximum display settings with all of the optional graphics settings turned on. Typically no one can out do EA Sports' graphics and interface for the "feel" of the game. Nonetheless, this author believes that Access Software, Inc. continues to lead in its graphical user interface of how the golf ball itself and the golf course interact. The LinksLS 2000's golf ball and golf course graphics remain tops with excellent speed, reliable rendering and true display of "where the ball is". The top right-hand corner display window provides an excellent view of the golf ball's position on the course and where it is going/gone. The look and feel of the golf ball (one should set it to large for better viewing), the course and the overall golf environment as "one", is still one of the best found in any PC golf game. Even the traditionally weaker "player to course" interface has also been improved this year with a better fore- and aft-ground blending that greatly enhances the perceived golfer's interface within the course background itself. On the negative side, the game designers need to examine the use of a new 3D engine to allow for the golfer (and crowds for that matter) to move and interact with the course after and between shots. The stoppage of player animation after every shot/putt continues to be a sore spot (after all real golfers don't freeze after they sink a big putt) as the "emotion" of the game is somewhat lost or not allowed to happen. Furthermore, the fact that players constantly stand off the green in a sand trap, while their playing partners putt, has also yet to be perfected. While the game has added four new golfers the need to add more variety of players and professionals is still very apparent. A lefty golfer would also be nice. Sound and Audio (8.5 out of 10) LinksLS 2000's sound and audio system has been enhanced with the addition of CBS golf analyst David Feherty and CBS sports announcer Craig Bolerjack. One of the best features of the game is that the new voice personalities do not "over-talk" in the game, a common problem in golf and/or soccer games. The "quiet strength of a golf game" is still captured in LinksLS 2000, with very appropriate player, announcer, crowd and gallery voices and noises. Overall (8.875 out of 10) While I have highlighted some negative factors above, PC golf gamers should buy this game knowing they own the premier golf simulation title available today. In fact, to really appreciate the sophistication, difficulty and depth of this golf game, PC users have to play it without the "mulligan enabled" option turned on. Positive · with a loaded 200+ MHz PC, re-drawing is blazing fast · new Easy Swing, Links Lessons and Quick Start features are excellent · the "instant in-flight mulligan" Mouse button option is cool and a great time saver if you allow mulligans · being able to try different types of swings during each round is nice flexibility · the multimedia tours have been expanded and they are quite in-depth and interesting · game play physics remain the best available · new courses are nicely done and have painstaking detail · manual, installation and user interface still very solid · new Modes of Play are fun and entertaining · Internet play option is fast and easy to use. Negative · needs significant system resources to operate smoothly and quickly · player graphics and interaction with the course and crowds itself needs to be improved so as to capture more emotion of the game itself · each of the golf courses' sand traps and roughs need a more realistic surface finishing. Sand traps and roughs are graphically too smooth; · an additional golf legend needs to be more involved with the game - so as to appeal to young gamers · addition of more and diverse golfers is needed; and · a course editor would be nice. Links LS2000 was reviewed by GameBoyz contributor, Richard "SportsFanatix" Evans