1999 · Access Software · Golf · Sports

Links LS 2000

Links is the name of a series of golf simulation computer games, first developed by Access Software, and then later by Microsoft Game Studios after Microsoft acquired Access Software. The line of golf games was a flagship brand for Access, and the series spanned several years: from 1990 to 2003. Several versions of the game and expansion packs (containing new courses[1] and golfers[2] mainly) were created for the Mac and PC over the years. A version for the Xbox named Links 2004 was released in November 2003. In 1991, Links won Computer Gaming World's 1991 Action Game of the Year award.

Released: 31 December 1999
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Golf Sports
Developers: Access Software
Publishers: Microsoft Corporation
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Third person
Themes: Non-fiction

About

Links LS 2000 is a golf video game developed by Access Software and published by Microsoft. It is part of the Links series and was released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows, and in 2000 for Macintosh. It was followed by Links 2001.

Links LS 2000 was viewed by critics as a minimally upgraded version of its predecessor, Links LS 1999. It was praised for its multiplayer, variety, and game physics, but critics felt that rival golf games such as Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge were superior, in part because of their inclusion of a golf course designer. Links LS 2000 was the sixth best-selling computer sports game of 1999, with 104,225 units sold.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Links LS 2000 features six golf courses: St. Andrews Old Course, St. Andrews New Course, and St. Andrews Jubilee; Hawaii's Mauna Kea and Hapuna; and Indiana's Covered Bridge.

The game also allows for various courses to be imported from previously released Links add-on disks. St. Andrews Old and Mauna Kea were featured in earlier entries in the Links series. The game includes short movies that discuss each course.

Development

Links LS 2000 was developed by Access Software. Because of a limited development period, few new features were added to the game in relation to its predecessor. Links LS 2000 was completed in September 1999, and was released in North America the following month. The game was released as a set of three CDs, and was published by Microsoft, which purchased Access Software earlier in 1999.

Links LS 2000 10-Course Pack is an add-on program for Links LS 2000 and its predecessor. It features additional courses for tournaments. It was completed in January 2000, and was released the following month. Links LS Classic, released in November 2000, is a version of Links LS 2000 that includes 21 championship courses.

Reception

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.

Critics viewed it as a minimally upgraded version of its predecessor, and were hopeful that Links 2001 would be more of a substantial update in the series. Tony Wyss of GameSpy described the game as Links LS 1999 but with more multiplayer options, as well as "minimal feature improvements that keep it from being great." Wyss considered it "an extremely difficult game to assess as a reviewer," recommending it for first-time players of a golf video game while stating that owners of Links LS 1999 might want to reconsider before purchasing it. Sports Gaming Network also considered it a difficult game to review because of its similarities to the previous game, and likewise recommended it for beginning computer golfers.