What the Golf?

What the Golf? borrows only the word from the rules of golf and then knocks them down one by one - in one level a house flies instead of the ball, in another it's the golfer himself, elsewhere a basketball hoop or a flock of birds, and the player never knows in advance what will happen on the next shot. Studio Triband built the entire game on a principle of constant surprise, so the sports genre here quietly morphs into a platformer, a logic puzzle, and a parody of other video games within a few seconds of play, and the player never knows what awaits on the next shot.

The controls remain deliberately primitive - just stretch the rubber band with your finger like in classic mini-golf and let go, with the power and direction of the shot governed by the gesture on the screen. It's exactly this simplicity that lets the game pile up dozens of bizarre ideas without an overly complicated tutorial, so new players understand the game instantly and the surprise comes only from the level design, not from the control scheme, which stays the same throughout and never requires new menus or settings.

Short levels and a constant stream of new gags make the game an ideal title for a break between other activities, with the humor also targeting players who've never played golf in their life and never got closer acquainted with the rules of the real sport. References to other genres and games - from platformers to rhythm titles - work as a witty wink for more experienced audiences without putting off casual players just looking for a bit of quick fun between other duties of the day.

Why play it: A great choice for anyone who wants a game for a few minutes a day full of funny surprises without having to take anything seriously or learn complicated rules.