Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Microsoft Developers Address: www.microsoft.com Genre: Sports Rating: Everyone Minimum Requirements: Pentium II 266 48MB RAM Win 95/98/Millenium 250MB HD (500MB more for the course designer) 4X CD ROM Net support: available (requires Internet connection) Da Introduction: Every year Microsoft releases a new edition of Links; Year after year, people wonder if the new upgrades are worth their time and money. This new version of Links 2001 happens to be the best one that Microsoft has released to date. Links 2001 has now catapulted Microsoft into the forefront of Golf simulation games that are currently available. Da Graphics: A new graphics engine has completely redefined the golf simulation industry. The scenes are very photogenic and almost appear as photo snapshots from television. Players also look very realistic. For example, Sergio looks just like Sergio. Player animations have been captured (real time), and now look more fluid and realistic. Gone are the days of a player being pasted onto a golf background because the whole picture provides a more natural look. For all those that have spent big bucks for a kick butt video card, this game supports it. I played at 800x600 resolution, but it does support the wonderful 1280x1024 resolution without any problems. Graphics could not have been much better for this game or for any golf game for that matter. Da Sound: I have mixed reviews about the sound. On one hand, the ambient sounds of a true golf course come to life in links 2001. But on the other hand, commentators and voice over sounds are boring. It kind of reminds me of the guy that says, "This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs." He was so monotone that I just turned the speakers off, and cranked up my MP3 player just so I wouldn't fall asleep. Da Gameplay: I've also played PGA Golf 2000 and this gave me a good comparison for these two very different golf games. Links 2001 has so many options, finding a place to start is going to be difficult. I guess we'll have to start with the obvious. There's an abundance of golf courses to choose from (all of which were actually created with the same course designer that is shipped with the game). There are six new tour courses (Chateau Whistler, St. Andrews Old Course and Mesa Rosa), and tour players (Arnold Palmer, Sergio Garcia, and Annika Sorenstam) to choose from. You can also create and customize your own golfer. You can adjust their appearance from different templates that are available. Player characteristics such as clubs, swing style, handicap, and club distances can be customized as well. And now you can play golf even better than Tiger Woods. Like most golf games, there are different ways to take your swing. Links 2001 has three different methods of striking your ball. The first is the classic one where you click once to start your swing, and click once more to adjust the power of your shot. The second method is like the first, but with a few more clicks in between. The final swing is the power momentum swing. This is one area where I felt the game lacked a bit. Instead of sliding your mouse vertically, you slide the mouse from left to right, or right to left depending if you're a southpaw. I found this a little more confusing (at least harder to use). PGA 2000's method is my preferred solution to swing those clubs around. The best thing about Links 2001 is the course designer. All of the courses in this game were designed with the Arnold Palmer Course Designer. What does this mean for you? It means you can now create wonderful golf courses just like the ones in this game. I've never been much of a golf course designer, but there are a lot of tools that are available to develop a nice laid out course. The setup really reminded me of something that came out of Sim City or Roller Coaster Tycoon. You can also trade courses with all the other Links 2001 fanatics out there. The website for the game provides links for more downloads. Playing against the computer is fun. The AI is pretty strong and can be a fairly tough opponent. Like a real golf game, you never play the same golf game twice. One day the computer may whoop your butt, and another day you may eat him alive. Once you become a Tour Pro, you can challenge other games online. I have yet to try this feature because, to be blunt, I suck. I need the practice, and of course it is hockey season so that's where my time has been focused on. Da Conclusion: Links 2001 is about as close to golf you're going to get this winter. The only thing missing from this one are the beverages, the golf carts, and the camaraderie between friends. Owners of the previous Links golf games will certainly enjoy the new changes in this wonderful golf game. The Joystick is up. Ratings: Graphics: 8.5 Sound: 6 Game-Play: 8.5 Tilt: 9 Overall: 8 This game was reviewed by Neo on his: AMD Duron 700 128 MB Ram Full Installation 52X CD-ROM Sound Blaster Live Voodoo 3 AGP Altec Lansing Surround Sound Speakers