A hole-in-one or a frustrating sand trap?

Introduction

I absolutely love minigolf games. In fact, a huge number of people across the world do, too. There is something inherently relaxing about the gentle thwack of a golf ball and the ensuing journey it takes towards the hole. However, what happens when you introduce a roguelite twist, where every missed shot could mean the end of your run? This is the core concept of Up to Par, a game that takes the seemingly tranquil world of minigolf and adds a layer of nerve-wracking strategy and progression. Can it successfully fuse the leisurely pastime with the unforgiving nature of a roguelite, or does it leave you feeling like you’ve landed in a bunker? Read on to find out!

The Long Road to Par

Up To Par’s progression system is built around a run-based structure. Your goal is to navigate through procedural levels, staying under par (naturally). The clever twist, however, is that your “shots” are also your currency, with your run ending when your shots are all used up.

Each hole is a par 3, but if you complete a hole in fewer shots, those saved shots carry over to the next hole. Simple, right!? This surplus of shots can then be used to purchase a variety of upgrades in the ‘Pro Shop,’ which appears every six holes. These upgrades are vital for survival, ranging from one-off abilities to permanent unlocks that can fundamentally alter your future runs, or even attire-based unlockables.

However, the difficulty scales with your progress, so don’t get too comfortable! As you unlock new obstacles and environments by reaching certain hole milestones, they are added to the procedural generation, making each subsequent run more complex and challenging. The core gameplay loop involves careful planning and precise execution, as the penalty for going over par is the end of your run. To say that it is addictive would be like saying the tastiest of chocolate “tastes okay”. It’s remarkable just how quickly and easily I was drawn into this seemingly simple minigolf world!

The Pro Shop

The core mechanic of Up to Par is its resource management system. As mentioned earlier, your spare shots, earned from playing well, are your currency. The Pro Shop allows you to spend these shots on a range of skills and abilities. Some are consumable, like a larger target hole on certain holes, while others are permanent unlocks that will aid you in all future attempts. These permanent unlocks include things like ‘bounds protection,’ which returns your ball to the course without penalty if it goes off track, or the ‘shot estimator’ which provides a more detailed trajectory preview. The trade-off is crucial; do you save your shots to buy a powerful permanent upgrade so that you can progress further, or do you spend them on a temporary buff to help you through a particularly tough run? Skill is indeed rewarded, as better performance means more shots to spend, which in turn gives you a better chance at surviving later, more difficult holes.

A Full Course

Up to Par supports both online and local multiplayer. In co-op mode, players share a single pool of shots, requiring teamwork and resource management to succeed. Competitive mode is more straightforward, with each player trying to outperform the others. While the multiplayer is a great addition, it’s worth noting that the procedural generation can sometimes create an uneven playing field, where one player might get a more favourable starting position than another, but it’s no big deal. Up To Par also features weekly challenges where all players tackle the same pre-determined course, allowing for direct competition on online leaderboards.

A Clean Look

The graphics are super-clean, minimalist, and utterly beautiful, with a straightforward presentation that ensures the focus remains on the gameplay. The courses are well-defined, and the various obstacles are easily identifiable. The audio is equally subdued, featuring a relaxing soundtrack that complements the minigolf theme. Sound effects are simple but effective, providing satisfying feedback for each hit and a gentle plink when the ball drops into the hole.

Staying Under Par

The replay value is phenomenally high due to the procedural level generation. Each run presents a new challenge, and the sense of progression from unlocking new environments and obstacles keeps the experience fresh. In addition to that, the sense of failure tends to work in the game’s favour, as it makes you feel as if you were on the very cusp of reaching the next milestone, and thus makes you more likely to want tro try “just one more time”!

The roguelite elements, particularly the permanent unlocks, make each attempt feel meaningful. Furthermore, the weekly challenges offer a constant incentive to return to the game and test your skills against other players. The variety of multiplayer modes also adds to Up To Par’s longevity, making it a good choice for both solo players and those looking to play with friends.

Conclusion

Up to Par is a clever and surprisingly addictive minigolf experience, one of the best around, in fact. It successfully blends the casual fun of the genre with the strategic depth and challenge of a roguelite. While some runs can feel unfair due to the randomness of the procedural generation, and the visuals may be considered too basic by some, the rewarding progression system and constant flow of new content ensure that you will want to keep coming back for more. It’s a game that is easy to pick up but difficult to master, and the satisfaction of a successful run is truly immense!

Grade: 8/10 – Very Good