| | Tee It Up!
Microsoft delivers the ultimate golf experience with Links® 2004, the Xbox continuation of its fantastically successful golf series. The franchise is well known for its stunningly realistic recreations of competitive golf and realistic gameplay. But, this is no mere port version; the game’s been completely rebuilt from the putting green up. With its highly realistic graphics and a television-style presentation, playing Links 2004 feels a lot like actually getting out on the course and competing shoulder-to-shoulder with the pros—without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. But, what’s even better is that soon you’ll be sharing this fun and excitement with your friends and other Xbox players from around the world!
The game simulates golf in all its glory, allowing you to create and equip a persona that you can take from his first tournament all the way to the top of the professional circuit, earning money and sponsorships along the way. With the money you earn from the cash purses, you’ll select your gear out of an ever-increasing array of licensed equipment from golf manufacturers. Then you can take your new goods out to play on dozens of beautifully rendered championship courses, like the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in California. You’ll square off against old friends and new rivals on these world-class locations when Links 2004 takes its place on XSN Sports.
I think he’s ready for Xbox Live …
Welcome to My Clubhouse
Through the marvel of XSN Sports, you’ll be participating in the most comprehensive and realistic online golfing experience ever devised. Using a centralized site, you’ll choose the type of game you want to play. Feel like a friendly game of skins with your old golfing buddies? Not a problem—just create the event, invite your friends, and avoid the rough. You and your friends can help each other work on any deficiencies in your gameplay, like choosing the right clubs for the course conditions or getting the hang of the Putting Assistant as you size up difficult greens. And, you can play 24-7 if you like, stopping only for essentials, like more caffeine and the British Open.
Don’t have any friends to play with yet? Just give it a few minutes; it’s easy to find fellow players on the network. Or, if you don’t feel like waiting, you can organize your own golf tours and tournaments, setting all the criteria for participation and competition. For example, maybe you’d like to host a pick-up game for a few casual players, inviting them to join you on the back nine at the legendary Greywolf course in Canada, on a sunny afternoon with a heavy breeze, allowing everyone four mulligans per tee. Or, maybe you’d like to try something a bit more difficult. How about inviting a number of players who’ve all achieved at least a certain rating to face you on a grueling tour through the legendary courses of the United Kingdom? As the host, you’ve got complete control over event creation.
Beyond Bragging Rights
While sports games are great fun, often the only challenge involved is whether or not you can beat your own personal best score or defeat a couple of friends with whom you play all the time. XSN Sports changes all that forever. When you’re ready for a more aggressive and intense Links 2004 experience, fire up your Xbox and enter tournaments, challenges, leagues, and matches that allow you to play against real people. Tired of the empty satisfaction of beating your best buddies every week at New South Wales course in Australia? Then pit your skills and clubs against all the other Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia wannabes out there! Because you’re competing against real people in real leagues and tournaments, these events have genuine consequence.
XSN Sports tracks your personal performance across all your Links 2004 achievements, allowing you to view your ratings and rankings across a number of categories. Watch your standings climb up the leader boards, and check your playing statistics whenever you like on a virtual sports page. The level of competition is so real that you’ll be developing online rivalries that echo the greatest showdowns in the history of golf. League scores and standings are also viewable through XSN Sports, so you and your friends can enjoy your smug smiles when you trounce your cross-town rivals.
Between its excellent gameplay, high degree of realism, and pure competitive golf, Links 2004 is a game that any aspiring pro will be proud to play. By Jason Carl |
