Players who love role-playing games have a variety to choose from, especially as indie developers have gotten into the mix. In fact, from playing as ademonic lamb cult leader inCult of the Lambto farming monster creatures inOoblets,indie game development has produced a variety of unique and dynamic games for every kind of player. The same goes for sports as well. While many sports videogames are focused on providing players with realism-honoring gameplay, the 2017 role-playing adventure-sports gameGolf Storyadded RPG elements to the mix. The developer’s newest gameSports Storytakes this idea and improves it in every way.
The developer Sidebar Games was influenced to combine retro game mechanics inMario Golfwith role-playing elements, makingGolf Storya game that was different from anything released on the Nintendo Switch. The game was packed with fun characters, a sentimental main storyline, and golf mechanics that were fun and easy to use. The game was successful due to the careful balance of RPG and sports elements, each set of mechanics a palette cleanser for the other. While reviews for the game are mixed,Sports Storyis the 2022 update to theGolf Storyformula, advancing the storyline in the original game while expanding the sports mechanics past golf.
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Sports Story Allows The Player To Master Seven Different Sports
Early Nintendo Switch players may remember thatGolf Storywas released exclusively for the Switch, making it possibly the first game that fans purchased through theSwitch’s Nintendo Store.The game puts players in the shoes of a young man who is inspired to pursue a professional golf career, meeting quirky rivals, and fellow golfers and building a reputation at each themed golf course.Sports Storyevolves this formula, throwing players into a sports-filled investigation involving a prominent athletics organization and the Yakuza. While golfing is still the main sport,Sports Storyallows players to ace tennis, soccer, cricket, volleyball, fishing, and bike riding, allowing for more variety.
Sports Storyhas also evolved the golfing system made famous by its predecessor. Unlike traditionalgolfing games likePGA Tour 2K23, which can be overly complicated for gamers unfamiliar with the sport,Golf Storyhas a three-step system that any player can use.Sports Storyexpands the challenge set in the original game by adding new golf courses, golf-related quests, and new mechanics. Players can buy new golf clubs to improve their game and experiment with different kinds of golf balls that used to pull off incredible shots. For instance, the skipper ball can be “skipped” across water hazards while the vector ball can reorient itself towards the hole.
Sports Story Features An Ambitious Storyline That Transcends Golf
Golf Storyfeatures a storyline that focuses on a classic theme within sports stories. The game shines through its use of creative character design, makingGolf Storysupporting characters Coach and Laracomedic and compelling guides. Other NPCs are unique, from the intense disc golfers to the golf student who trained using a “simulator” made from a projector and a wall.Sports Storytakes this classic formula and turns it up to 10, turning the player character into a vigilante golf hero who helps people oppressed by gang violence. While this is an unexpected twist for a sports-themed game, it’s admirable for Sideline Games to take on such an expansive storyline.
While the player character attempts to unravel the sports-themed mystery, they become a freelance investigator, moving from locations likeBritannia Station and PureStrike Linksand using sports to solve problems and gather clues about the Yakuza gang, the Iron Dragons.Sports Story’smystery storyline is fun, allowing players to continue the game while elevating the stakes in the first game. To solve the mystery, the player is given numerous themed side quests involving thwarting pirates, saving cats, catching bees, and finding wood chips. There are also stealth and dungeon crawling elements, and while many of these quests aren’t directly connected to sports, they add a certain level of wackiness and fun to the game.
Sports Storyis available for the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Golf Story is Worth Going Back to Before Sports Story Launches
