Fore!
Golf is a sport which has seen countless computer-based interpretations over the years, from the serious such as Microsoft Golf, to the humorous such as Zany Golf and Fuzzy Mini World. Scottish Open falls very much into the former camp and is very much a standard and straightforward take on the sport which offers little in the way of originality but which is enjoyable enough. Given the game's title, it should be no great surprise to find that you get to whack little white balls through the splendor of some of Scotland's finest and most famous courses, including lovingly recreated versions of The Bowery and Penperro. There's also a wide selection of players to choose from, each with their own subtle nuances and skills, and which can all be edited while you can also create one of your own from scratch. Gameplay itself follows the formula set down by pretty much every other golf game ever created, with a meter to control the strength and direction of your shots, while you also have to take into account things like wind direction and speed. There's the usual array of options to choose from and on the whole this is a decent, if unspectacular, entry into the genre. The visuals are pleasing, with the lush greenery of the courses well enough recreated in decent detail, while sound effects are minimal but which suit the relaxing nature of the sport. The controls are simple enough to pick up and once you get the hang of them you'll be knocking balls down the fairway with alarming accuracy. Scottish Open certainly isn't a spectacular game, but if you're in the mood for a spot of golf, you could do far worse.
