Nina Caldwell
What the Golf? is a 3D comedy golf video game developed and published by Triband, which was released on PC and iOS in September 2019. The game is full of puns and game mechanics that will make you laugh out loud. It is pitched as a golf game for people who hate golf, with each level presenting a new surprise. The game incorporates various sports like soccer, bowling, and skiing into its challenges, and also includes references to other video games, such as Super Hot, Rocket League, and Super Mario Bros.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | 3D comedy golf video game |
| Target Audience | People who hate golf |
| Gameplay | A series of short levels with multiple challenges that act as a parody of golf and its rules |
| Level Design | Short levels to try as many jokes as possible |
| Humor Style | Slapstick |
| Reward System | Crown system to encourage players to revisit levels |
| Platforms | PC, iOS, macOS, tvOS, Nintendo Switch |
| Release Date | September 2019 |
| Publisher | Triband |
| Funding | Crowdfunding website Fig |
| Reviews | "Generally favorable" according to Metacritic |
| Positive Reviewers | Sergio Velasquez (TouchArcade), Jordan Devore (Destructoid), Christopher Livingston (PC Gamer) |
| Negative Reviewer | James O'Connor (GameSpot) |
| References | Super Hot, Rocket League, Super Meat Boy, Super Mario Bros, Donut County, Solid (Metal Gear Solid), Exploding Kittens |
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What You'll Learn
'What the Golf?' is a video game developed by Triband
What the Golf? is a video game developed by Triband, a small team of developers based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a mission to surprise players, break genres, and have fun. It is a physics-based golf parody where each course presents a new, surprising type of golf, from horse golf to space golf and boss fight golf. The game was crowdfunded through the American crowdfunding website Fig, with the developers choosing golf as the sport to parody because it is "mostly played by rich people, so it seemed like a safe target."
The levels in What the Golf? are short and packed with jokes and slapstick humour, with new episodes released every few months to keep the game fresh. Players can compete with friends in a variety of silly golf courses, playing as characters such as Toaster, Hockey Dog, or Burger Bird. The game also includes a hub world that connects the courses and offers additional challenges and secrets to discover.
What the Golf? incorporates various sports beyond golf, such as soccer, bowling, and skiing, and also references other video games in its gameplay. These include Super Hot, Rocket League, Super Meat Boy, and Super Mario Bros. The game received generally favourable reviews, with critics praising its comedic value, soundtrack, and the challenge presented by its levels.
The developers at Triband describe their descent into creating the game as a "slow descent into madness," as they started seeing golf everywhere and viewed every game as a potential golf game. This unique perspective led to the creation of What the Golf?, a game that offers a fresh and hilarious take on the sport of golf and the video games based on it.
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It parodies golf and its rules
"What the Golf?" is a comedy golf video game that parodies golf and its rules. The game was designed to be a parody of a sport that is "mostly played by rich people, so it seemed like a safe target", according to its developers.
The game features a series of short levels that subvert the traditional expectations of a golf game. While there is an overarching goal of hitting a flag in some way, there aren't 18 holes or putting greens. Instead, each course is brought together by a hub world, which also includes amusing challenges and secrets.
The player takes on the role of a golf ball that progresses through an abandoned laboratory, completing various challenges. These challenges include shooting a ball, a soccer ball, a horse, a couch, a cat, a little humanoid golf ball, or even the golfer himself. The game incorporates other sports like soccer, bowling, and skiing, as well as references to other video games like Super Hot, Rocket League, and Super Meat Boy.
"What the Golf?" uses slapstick humour and puns to create a comedic experience. It also includes a crown system that encourages players to revisit levels and complete all the challenges. The levels are designed to be short, allowing the developers to try out as many jokes as possible.
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The game features slapstick comedy
The video game What the Golf? is a 3D comedy golf game that employs slapstick comedy. It was developed and published by Triband and funded through the crowdfunding website Fig. The game is a collection of short, humorous challenges that parody golf and its rules.
While the game does involve some golfing, it is not a traditional golf game. Instead, players might find themselves shooting a soccer ball, a horse, a couch, a cat, a little humanoid golf ball, or even the golfer himself. The game also incorporates other sports, such as soccer, bowling, and skiing.
The developers chose golf as the sport to parody because it is "mostly played by rich people, so it seemed like a safe target." They also designed the levels to be short so that they could try out as many jokes as possible. The game's humor is largely based on slapstick, as this form of comedy was seen as universally understandable and accessible, regardless of the player's location or background.
What the Golf? received "generally favorable" reviews, with critics praising its comedic value, its soundtrack, and the challenge presented by each level. The game's physics-based gameplay and subversion of expectations were also well-received.
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It includes references to other video games
"What The Golf?" is filled with references to other video games. The game features a series of short levels that parody or reference other video games. Some of the most well-known references include classics such as Super Mario, with levels that include a golfing spin on the iconic character. Another classic game that is referenced in "What The Golf?" is Donkey Kong, with levels inspired by its unique mechanics.
The game also includes more elaborate references, such as the SUPERHOT-themed levels that borrow mechanics and visual elements from the game. These levels stand out as some of the best in "What The Golf?", offering a unique and engaging experience.
Some other notable references in the game include Portal, Flappy Bird, and WarioWare. The game also features a two-player local multiplayer mode, where players can battle it out in randomly chosen levels, adding a layer of competitiveness and unpredictability to the mix.
"What The Golf?" is known for its absurd and unpredictable nature, with levels that constantly surprise players and defy expectations. While some levels are more recognizable as golf, the game also incorporates different genres, such as stealth, to keep things interesting.
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The game was crowdfunded and released in 2019
The golf parody game What the Golf? was crowdfunded through the American crowdfunding website Fig and released on 19 September 2019 for iOS, macOS, and tvOS on Apple Arcade by The Label. The developers chose golf as the sport to parody because it was "mostly played by rich people, so it seemed like a safe target". The game features short levels, each with a unique twist on the traditional game of golf, trying out as many jokes as possible. The game's humour is largely slapstick-based, with a focus on physics and absurdity, and includes references to other sports like soccer, bowling, and skiing.
The game's mechanics and humour were well-received by critics, with Sergio Velasquez of TouchArcade praising the element of surprise and Jordan Devore of Destructoid appreciating the game's comedic value. The game also includes references to other video games, including Super Hot, Rocket League, Super Meat Boy, and Super Mario Bros.
The game's crown system encourages players to revisit levels and complete all the challenges, and a slow-motion feature, originally intended for the soccer level, was added to the entire game. The developers also considered unlockable skins for the golf ball but ultimately decided against the idea.
Following its initial release, What the Golf? received additional ports to other platforms, including a macOS version separate from Apple Arcade and a Windows port through the Epic Games Store on 1 October 2019. A Nintendo Switch port was released on 21 May 2020, followed by a Steam version on 22 October 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
What the Golf? is a 3D comedy golf video game developed and published by Triband. It is a golf game for people who hate golf.
What the Golf? contains references to other video games, including Super Hot, Rocket League, Super Meat Boy, and Super Mario Bros.
In What the Golf?, players attempt to hit a flag in various ways, such as by shooting a ball, a soccer ball, a horse, a couch, a cat, or even the golfer himself.
