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Still A Great Game after all these years

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: February 08, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am still playing this golf game despite having the EA Tiger Woods game. EA still hasn't come up with a course as challenging as Devil's Island. Never mind the ancient graphics, Devil's Island is still the greatest challenge. There are a number of other nice courses as well. Links has the MOP Designer which EA's TW game does not have. Points can be assigned for different events occuring in a golf round or play for money for each event. There isn't much choice for player appearance or apparel as there is in EA's TW golf but it's still interesting to play with what is available.

Links LS 2000

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The best computer golf game period.I have downloaded Demo,s of
2001 thru 2003 and no comparison.A look backward by Microsoft
might give them a clue for the future.

4 years after its release, STILL the best.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: August 27, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Even though it's the latter half of the year 2003, I recently 'upgraded' from my former golf game -Links LS 99- to its sequel, the supposedly outdated and obsolete 4-year-old Links LS 2000. Why did I opt to purchase a four year old golf game instead of a new golf game such as Links 2003 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003? Because the supposedly obsolescent LS 2000 is still, even today, the best golf game available.

Being an avid fan of the LS series, I can say that LS 2000 is, by a slim margin, the best of the series. I was pleased to find that it is an improvement (albeit very small) over Links LS 99 -something I CAN'T claim about its sequels, Links 2001 or Links 2003: Both of these installments had many changes made...and the changes weren't good ones, either. In a nutshell, ever since Microsoft bought out Access Software in 2000, the Links series has gone downhill. Microsoft, like most software companies, has no understanding of the addage 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' The numerous tweaks in Links 2001 and 2003 brought more graphical 3D rendering and better depth perception as well as increased the detail of foliage on the golf course. Most of the good changes were graphical improvements, but the graphics in those two games ALSO look more 'cartoonish' than LS's graphics. Almost all other tweaks have been de-improvements: Worse physics, very inferior swing meter, horrible real time swing, no Virtual Tournament (offline), and a host of other inferior tweaks. Microsoft discarded the original and creative ideas of Access Software and adopted, in its place, the inferior ideas and physics of Links LS's competition such as Jack Nicklaus 6 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour. Thank you Microsoft; you people are such geniuses.

If you are a casual PC golfer who enjoys getting a quick round in and likes your golf course to appear as aesthetically-pleasing as possible, as 3D as possible and animated graphics to boot, I would suggest purchasing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003. My main complaint (if not only) with the Tiger Woods game is that it looks and plays like video arcade game or something more fitting for the Playstation than for the PC. On its own merits it's a very good game filled with many cool features, very good animated graphics (albeit a 'cartoony' graphics engine), decent physics and a very good real-time swing. If EA Sports software programmers had the rocket scientist mind-sets of Links LS developers and tried to make Tiger Woods as die-hard realistic as possible (especially graphics and physics-wise) I would jump on the Tiger Woods bandwagon. As it is, the Tiger Woods series is still a great game and will win over millions of arcade-minded fans but for the rocket scientist-minded golf connoisseurs of utmost realism -such as I- Links LS 2000 is the only golf game to own. The graphics of LS 2000 -though not as 3D or 'animated' (e.g., trees swaying, water rippling) is photorealistic, not 'cartoony,' and still -4 years after its release- very good. The courses are virtually indestinguishable from their real life counterparts whereas in Tiger Woods you have no idea what course you're golfing: they all look similar and certainly bear no resemblance to their real life counterparts. Gameplay is what makes the game and LS's physics are much more realistic than Tiger Wood's. And there are far more options for customizing shots and customizing the actual gameplay in LS than Tiger Woods. As far as I'm concerned, LS 2000 is still by far the best PC golf game ever, as far as extreme realism is concerned. My only complaint is that in Links LS 99 I could set my display to 1600x1200 resolution in 32 bit (16.7 million colors). In LS 2000 the 1600x1200 resolution is only available in 16 bit (65,000) colors. Why, I have no idea. Not a big deal, but it makes a little difference. Still, an excellent game and I even find the new sound script (Craig Bolerjack and Dave Feherty's comments) pretty funny.

If you want the hardest-core golf sim with great graphics, sound, gameplay, and options, then take it from me -an avid PC golfer who has been playing computer golf since the mid '80s and has sampled virtually every golf game past and present: Opt for Links LS 2000 over its inferior sequels and the new Tiger Woods series.

Back To 2000

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: November 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Graphcs are great. PERIOD. Sound set up is almost impossible to coordinate with selected motions. None of my 25 add-on courses purchased over the life of previous versions work on this engine. I've taken it off my machine and reinstalled Links 2000. Now I'm useing the good one.

Great golf-sim, period

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 13, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I've played with all the Links versions, starting with Access Links 386... when was that again? This is just a great golf simulation and it keeps getting better. You got it all, from the beginner to the expert gamer. The game is incredably realistic, with backspin, punch and flop shots (yes, I do play golf for real) and tournament style options. It is actually MUCH better than the 2001-version, which was a disappointment in speed (I've a PIII-700 with lots of everything!) and compatability (with the older versions). Importing my old courses was a snap, as is using the game over the Internet. Enjoy!

Best computer golf game out there

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: June 09, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I have been playing the Links LS series for a few years now, and every year the graphics some how get better, as well as the game play. I've played pretty much every other golf game for the PC, and I like this one the best by far. There are numerous courses you can play, all with amazing detail and clarity. The players swing motions are just perfect and sharpe. If you love golf, this is a game should should go out and purchase.

Continues to be the Purest and Best Golf Simulation

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 29 / 30
Date: June 07, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Granted, Microsoft, which recently purchased Access, was resting on its laurels with the release of this year's version. This is not the revolutionary update to the series that the 2001 version is purported to be. Still, with rebate and some new courses it's not totally devoid of charm. The more of the same you get, however, continues to be the strongest simulation in the computer golf genre. I have owned all the versions since its inception, along with all the courses, and have seen its sophistication and polish grow over the years. Many people approach the Links series from different angles with different goals in mind. What they should not approach thinking is that this is a shallow console game that you can control with a gamepad. I golf 3 of 4 times a week in real life at an 8 hcp and have not found a golf game that models the physics of putting and ball striking as well as Links LS does. Punches, flops, bump and run, pitches and chips are all represented choices your avatar/player can choose from. It's always interesting to find yourself moving back and forth between the simulation and reality, where you might tell yourself while on the real course `now make sure your swing is as smooth and controlled as LS' or inadvertently looking for the non-existent putting grid. LS also helps hone game time decisions such as when to punch out of a wooded area, or to declare an unplayable lie, etc. Each side of the game is helped by the other. In addition to liking the LS series because of its mental/situational parallels to the real thing, I appreciate the meticulously crafted courses. In this version one can actually detect increases in sharpness for many of the objects on the courses included. [The 30 or so other courses are still compatible] One begins to pick up little niceties over the course of the series, like the progression of the fairway and the rough designs and colors. The panoramas have also seen a sharpening; it's just a pity that we will have to wait until the 2001 version to finally progress past the current pixelated players and their square-ish shadows. The new clouds are also more realistic and lend a storm front atmosphere if you want it. Can't comment on the online/tourney aspect of this game, it's usually just me vs the course and my scoring histories. So, if you're upgrading from MS Golf, or entering the LS series completely, this is the appropriate on ramp. If you're a Links lifer you get more of the same strong product as you wait for the big update this fall. Things to look forward to there, the addition of a course designer, new sharply digitized golfers, a preparation for a 3-d world, new courses, and the ability to tune your PC golfer to your real life ball striking physical characteristics [7 iron, 130 yards, etc.]. It's a testament to the strength of the series and Access that it continues to find a home on my HD after more than a decade of constant play. Recommended.

If you use a dedicated gaming platform, beware...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 8
Date: June 04, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Prior to purchasing "Links", I read the customer reviews. Most, if not all, rated this game as either good or excellent. I must respectfully disagree.

Even with a high end system, the graphics are only a shade better than mediocre. Further, the user interface is clumsy, with mouse control of the swing function both inconsistent and often inaccurate. The game scenarios, while attempting to invoke an air of realism, are artificial and do not yield a true "course" atmosphere.

As a golfer and avid gamer, both desktop and "dedicated" (Playstation, Sega, etc.), I was disappointed. However, I decided to expose a friend to the game and compare reactions. He liked it. Most perplexing.

The answer was quite simple: My friend, a better golfer than I, had little experience with non desktop gaming. To him, "Links" was Nirvana. Accordingly, I stress my warning: if you have significant, recent experience with Playstation, Dreamcast or even some of the slightly older versions, desktop computers do not compare when performance elements such as interactivity, graphics and playability are factored in. This may not be a popular point of view, but specialization in any field, gaming or neurosurgery, does have its advantages.

If "Links" is your only option, and you are desperate to play golf with unlimited mulligans, by all means buy it. However, make the purchase from a reliable vendor such as Amazon, just in case you decide, as I did, that it was not money well spent.

Great golf game for the "Walter Mitty" in us all

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: May 05, 2000
Author: Amazon User

For years I have used the similar Microsoft Golf (which can even load the same courses) but Links is superior in graphics and reliability. I found that Mirosoft Golf occasionally had glitches that Links does not have. The beauty of Links is it's realism. For example, I attended the US Open at Pinehurst and it was very misty and drizzly on the final day of the tourney. I am able to set the settings to duplicate the haze and mist. It is absolutely uncanny. Having seen the Pinehurst #2 course (and even played it) several times, I am stricken by the stunning accuracy of Links. It is truly like you are really there. I am a so so golfer but in Links, my fantasies are fulfilled as I battle Arnold Palmer (and sometimes beat him). The software reproduces shots accurately and the game is truly fun and realistic. There are settings to duplicate any situation including wind conditions, fast greens, shotmaking (ie fading and drawing the ball) etc. I recommend Links without qualification.

Playing golf has never been easier.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: April 26, 2000
Author: Amazon User

When Links first hit the software market it was the talk of the town, now the latest version LS 2000 is going to follow suit. This three cd set is the best golf software package bar none that I have ever tested.

The install has an upgrade or full install depending on whether you have LS1999 installed. I recommend the typical install unless you have 800MB of free space. Also you will need cd disk 1 in order to run the game.

The graphics and sound are even better than before and this version does run under Windows 2000. You have more options to choose from in the setup of players, more professional golfer like Fuzzy Zoeller installed and more overall match options making this game one of the best around.

Also include are six new course to choose from and a screen saver. I was very impressed with the software, but knowing Microsoft reputation for quality gaming application this should have come as no surprise at all. I highly recommend this product to everyone.

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