by It’s amazing what a simple change in perspective can do. Dropping the third dimension of typical sims in favor of a side-scrolling approach made the original Super Stickman Golf a revelatory mobile experience, both with its puzzle-platform single-player courses and the raucous speed-based multiplayer showdowns. Considering the ample success of the debut, Super Stickman Golf 2 expectedly doesn’t mess with the formula too much, employing the same mechanics while adding fresh courses, customization options, and another gripping multiplayer mode.
As ever, nearly every hole in Super Stickman Golf 2 comes across like a puzzle to somehow solve with a club and a ball, and the sequel has even more tools to require incredible precision and consideration from players with each shot. While the early nine-hole courses arrive light on artificial hazards, later ones begin adding color-coded portals that transport your ball from one place to another, lasers that’ll zap your shot into dust, and repulsing magnets that more often than not stand in the way of a direct line to the cup. Whatever the layout, though, the 20 courses have that same addictive pull that entices you to dig back in, reconsider which power-ups to use (and when), and aim for double-digit below-par sums.
In addition to tackling the courses individually for leaderboard domination, Super Stickman Golf 2 retains the amazing active multiplayer mode, which is aptly dubbed “Race Mode” here. Whether in four-player online or newly expanded eight-player local wireless battles, you’ll speed towards the cup in a frantic battle for points. It’s an absolute blast, especially with nearby friends in a confined space, yelling and cheering with each stroke.
But the sequel also adds an excellent asynchronous turn-based mode, which lets you swap swings during the free moments in your day. It has a couple of issues with sluggish replays and losing your attempt if your Internet connection is weak upon completion (with no apparent option to resubmit), but otherwise it’s a smart and entertaining tweak that’s a perfect match for the game’s breezy, fast-paced formula. Happily, success in any part of Super Stickman Golf 2 all feeds into the same user profile, which earns experience and levels up over time to unlock new golfers. Additionally, Golf Bux earned through gameplay (and found within the courses) is used to unlock powered-up hats, which you can swap at will and use strategically based on the selected location.
It’s all wrapped up in a much sleeker package than before, with glossier courses and animations all backed by peppy chip tune tracks. However, the sequel also raises some ire with head-scratching in-app purchases, like one that removes the limit on the number of ongoing turn-based games – something we shouldn’t have to worry about with a paid game. And the ability to buy Golf Bux to use towards hats and player levels also potentially throws a wrench into the competitive balance, based on who you’re facing, so stock your Game Center friends list wisely with trusted rivals.
The bottom line. Minor quibbles don’t keep Super Stickman Golf 2 from being a brilliantly fun and addictive iOS game, whether you prefer to swing solo or outshoot the competition.
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