a basic version of the Links games; several noted similarities between the game and Links LS 2000 in particular. Kevin Rice of Daily Radar considered it a "continuation of Links LS 2000 with very minor changes," but stated that this was "not really a bad thing". Brett Todd of Computer Games Magazine called the game "really nothing more than a repackaged Links LS 2000 offered at a bargain basement price," while stating that this "is both good and bad." Critics considered the game a good value at $20, and believed it would appeal to its target demographic of casual players, rather than hardcore golfers. Considering its low price, Todd believed the game could have appeal for some people, but not for most, stating that nearly all of its good points had been eclipsed by other golf games. Stephen Poole of GameSpot called the game an "attractive package" for its variety of terrain and "excellent" course design. Some praise went to the graphics and the high resolution. Shawn Nicholls of AllGame considered the courses to be "blatantly artificial", and "inconsistent" with the appearance of the golfer, while Gordon Goble of Gamecenter felt that the golfer characters could have been better animated. Sports Gaming Network considered the graphics to be good, but dated. Nicholls praised the sound, commentary, and music, while Scott Steinberg of IGN criticized the commentary for occurring a few seconds too soon or too late in reaction to golf shots. Michael Lafferty of GameZone was disappointed by how limited the commentary was, and Poole stated that the commentary was "delivered as if the speaker had just finished walking 27 holes." Despite a few minor deficiencies, Lafferty praised Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition for its simple gameplay and called it "the golf game that will enable families to play together and give the newer players a chance to succeed." Rice considered the game to be realistic, while Nicholls stated that computer golfers expecting a realistic and challenging experience would be disappointed by the game. Steinberg stated that lifelong golfers should stick to the Links games, as Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition "lacks serious challenge." Steinberg called the game "a lot more user friendly and less intimidating for newly baptized proponents of the sport." Sports Gaming Network criticized the lack of an off-line tournament mode, a feature that was present in Links LS 2000. Todd considered the game to be dated, but also