Links 2003

The newest version for the Links golf series featuring new swing types like the real time swing, ultimate realistic graphics, career play playing with real golf players or created ones, a strong multiplayer community increases the online play experience and a practice facility for the new players.

Released: 19 September 2002
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Golf Sports
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Series: Links
Perspective: Third person
Themes: Non-fiction
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E

About

Links 2003 is a golf video game developed by Microsoft and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It is part of the Links series and was released for Windows in 2002. It follows Links 2001 and was followed by Links 2004. The game includes six courses, a course designer, and four professional golfers: David Toms, Jesper Parnevik, Sergio García, and Annika Sörenstam. Links 2003 introduces a golf swing method that works in real time as the player makes the shot.

Links 2003 received "generally favorable reviews" according to Metacritic. Critics praised the graphics, the game physics, the multitude of game options, and the introduction of a real-time swing. However, the game's environments were considered to be stagnant and lifeless.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Links 2003 features six golf courses: Gleneagles, Ocean Club at Cabo del Sol, Lodge at Kauri Cliffs (New Zealand), Cambrian Ridge, The Tribute at Otsego Club, and the fictional oceanside location of Skeleton Coast set in Africa. Courses from previous Links games can be converted for play in Links 2003. Nine golfers are featured, including five generic characters. The game includes four professional golfers: David Toms, Jesper Parnevik, Sergio García, and Annika Sörenstam. The player has various options for customizing the golfer.

Links 2003 also includes the Arnold Palmer Course Designer 1.5, allowing the player to create custom golf courses. The player can also add WAV sound files into the game. Game modes include best ball, match, Nassau, scramble, skins, and stroke. Also included is a career mode, in which the player works their way up from qualifying school to world champion. The Mode of Play Designer gives the player numerous options for customizing the various game modes.

Development

Links 2003 was announced by Microsoft on February 27, 2002, at the International Games Festival in Las Vegas. The game was developed by Microsoft. 5 is the same tool used by the development team to create the game's six courses. In addition, the greens were recreated through 500 GPS points that were taken on the actual golf courses.

The game features improved game physics over its predecessor. In an effort to achieve realism in the game, lead designer Mark McArthur said, "We had [programmers] with hard hats out in the driving range, and they would watch the balls fly toward them."

Reception

Links 2003 received "generally favorable reviews" according to Metacritic. Some critics considered it the best golf game available. The graphics were praised, especially the golfers. The physics were also praised, with Andy Mahood of GameSpy calling them the best of any golf game available.

Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer called it "unquestionably the most realistic golf simulation ever offered on any platform" and wrote that the game engine "allows for almost every variable - we couldn't think of anything it doesn't do." Praise was given for the multitude of game options, including the various multiplayer features, although some critics were disappointed by the limited number of professional golfers.