Super Stickman Golf 3
Arcade golf action meets card-collecting
Free (with IAP) Developer Noodlecake Studios, noodlecake.com Platform Universal Requirements iOS 8 or later
A long-time staple of the App Store, Super Stickman Golf is a 2D golf game that’s all about zany power-ups, strange hazards, and clever shortcuts, rather than… almost anything actually related to golf. This sequel goes free, offering 20 nine-hole courses for nothing, but with an In-App Purchase to remove ads, unlock extra downloadable courses, allow for multiple multiplayer games, and more. You can buy more IAPs, but they’re not essential at all.
It plays a lot like the previous games in the series: you aim an arrow for your shot, then start building a power bar, then hit the shot and hope it goes well. There are some new changes, though – most notably a spin option, so you can try to roll short shots forward, or correct overhits. The other big new feature is that new golfer abilities or aesthetic options come from card packs, which you can win or buy. These contain random cards, which means you get a lot of repeats while hoping for a hat that gives you hazard immunity, but it’s a fun addition.
Ultimately, it’s all very similar to the previous games (there are only a few new power-ups or hazards), so if you’ve played before, this game is more about the new courses and multiplayer options than any kind of reinvention. While that means it’s still massively fun, with longevity supplied by multiple goals for each course rather than just your score, it can feel a bit samey – and one or two courses are more of a slog than pure fun. If you’re new to the game, though, we absolutely recommend it.
the bottom line. A great addition to a really fun series, but there’s not much new for experienced players. Matt Bolton