Cursed to Golf (2022)

Cursed to Golf is a fun and surprising game that brings together golf, platforms, puzzles, and roguelike elements. If this seems very unlikely, it all works and fits together nicely, with a very creative approach to a comically macabre plot, a high difficulty level that makes players think carefully about each stroke, and a mechanic that changes the properties of the ball. A lovely piece of gaming that's more than welcome to the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

Nicely processed mix of golf, puzzle and unconventional story. The options with tricks and traps are nicely resolved, but the levels are too similar and some are unnecessarily hard.

The difficulty may be off putting to some, though, and an argument can be made that it would be better off with some adjustments made in that department. That being said, it is hard to deny the underlying quality and charm that this game exudes with every swing of the club. Cursed to Golf is a big deal for relative newcomer developer Chuhai Labs. While the studio has developed and published several titles and their lineage can be traced back through multiple companies well represented on Nintendo platforms, Cursed to Golf may very well be the game that puts them on the map.

Merging a roguelike and a golf sim should not be nearly as fun as Cursed to Golf undoubtedly is. The retro-inspired visuals and bouncy soundtrack belie a truly stout challenge that takes a lot of practice to overcome. You’ll rue every poor shot choice and curse every mistimed button press, but battling through the trials of Golf Purgatory is an incredible gameplay experience that will have coming back for more time and time again. The only real thing missing is a multiplayer mode, but even without it, Chuhai Labs has undoubtedly hit a hole-in-one.

Cursed to Golf is a fantastic hybrid of multiple genres. Can you test your skill and try your luck as you attempt to escape golfing hell? Manage your Ace cards, hit the idols, and defeat the bosses in this crazy but fun indie game.