Golf Peaks Explained

Golf Peaks
Developer:Afterburn
Publisher:Afterburn
7Levels (Switch, Xbox One)
Platforms:
Released:iOS, macOS, Windows
November 13, 2018
Android, Switch
March 14, 2019
Xbox One
September 21, 2021
Genre:Puzzle
Modes:Single-player

Golf Peaks is a puzzle video game developed and published by Afterburn. Players are challenged to solve golf-themed puzzles.

Gameplay

Golf Peaks is an isometric, golf-themed puzzle game. Each map consists of a series of platforms, and players draw cards that determine how they traverse the platforms. The game implements various hazards, which provide new challenges in optimally traversing the platforms,[1] but these hazards do not model physics; they are purely logical puzzles.[2]

Development

Afterburn said Golf Peaks recouped its development costs a week and a half after its release, which they attributed to Poland's low cost of living, being featured in the App Store, and having a short development time.[3] Development took about five months.[2] It was released for iOS on November 12, 2018; Windows and macOS on November 13, 2018; the Nintendo Switch on March 14, 2019; and Xbox One on September 21, 2021.[4] 7Levels helped port it to the Switch.[2]

Reception

The Switch version of Golf Peaks received positive reviews on Metacritic.[5] Nintendo Life called it "fun and engaging" but said it is a bit short.[1] The Verge wrote, "The puzzles are well-crafted, and the game is so relaxing to play that I don't want to stop."[6] Pocket Gamer praised its balanced levels and called it "a pretty magnificent experience" held back only by its lack of further content.[7] Digitally Downloaded recommended it for times when one only has periods of time to play games, but they said it has "somewhat limited" gameplay during longer sessions.[8] Although he was disappointed in the lack of in-game hints for the most challenging puzzles, NintendoWorldReports reviewer said that it is "a nice, serene, and challenging way to wind down".[9]

It was nominated for best mobile game at the 2019 Central & Eastern European Game Awards.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Golf Peaks Review (Switch eShop). Reseigh-Lincoln. Dom. Nintendo Life. 2019-03-15. 2023-04-10. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012604/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/golf_peaks. live.
  2. Web site: [PS4Blog.net Interview] Afterburn On Golf Peaks]. PS4blog.net. 2019-02-27. 2023-04-10. 2024-01-02. https://archive.today/20240102094613/https://www.ps4blog.net/2019/02/ps4blog-net-interview-afterburn-on-golf-peaks/. live.
  3. Web site: The Big Indie Interviews: Afterburn tells how mixing golf and puzzles helped them grab The Big Indie Pitch crown. Drake. Sophia Aubrey. Pocket Gamer. 2018-12-18. 2023-04-10. 2024-01-02. https://archive.today/20240102094648/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/interview/69681/the-big-indie-interviews-afterburn-tells-how-mixing-golf-and-puzzles-helped-them-grab-the-big-indie-pitch-crown/. live.
  4. Web site: Golf Peaks. Gamepressure. 2023-04-10. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012607/https://www.gamepressure.com/games/golf-peaks/z055ea. live.
  5. Web site: Golf Peaks (Switch). Metacritic. 2023-04-10. 2024-01-02. https://archive.today/20240102094450/https://www.metacritic.com/game/golf-peaks/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. live.
  6. Web site: Golf Peaks turns mini-golf into a card-based puzzle game. Moore. D. M.. The Verge. 2019-05-17. 2023-04-10. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012607/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/17/18262193/golf-peaks-minigolf-puzzle-game-switch-ios-steam. live.
  7. Web site: Golf Peaks review - "A pretty magnificent experience". Cowley. Ric. Pocket Gamer. 2018-11-14. 2023-04-10. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012604/https://www.pocketgamer.com/golf-peaks/golf-peaks-review-a-pretty-magnificent-experience/. live.
  8. Web site: Review: Golf Peaks (Nintendo Switch). Petronaitis. Trent. Digitally Downloaded. 2019-03-14. 2023-04-10. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012605/http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2019/03/review-golf-peaks-nintendo-switch.html. live.
  9. Web site: Golf Peaks (Switch) Review. Ronaghan. Neal. NintendoWorldReport. 2019-03-14. 2023-04-10. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411012604/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/49966/golf-peaks-switch-review. live.
  10. Web site: CEEGA 2019: Pośród nominowanych między innymi World War 3, Green Hell i karciany Wiedźmin. Raban. Paweł. CD-Action. 2019-04-10. 2023-04-10. pl. 2023-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411013216/https://cdaction.pl/newsy/ceega-2019-posrod-nominowanych-miedzy-innymi-world-war-3-green-hell-i-karciany-wiedzmin. live.