This game has heart, but it needs a bit of polish.

This can also be seen from the over world map, which looks unfinished with big empty gaps to nowhere. I wonder if some big facets of the game were cut due to time.

The entire ending challenge only uses the golf mechanic, which feels antithetical to the game itself. The ending challenge was extremely anticlimactic, and the ending dialogue/scenery seemed to wrap up the game they intended to make but not the game they actually made. I have had to restart my game at least 10 times. If you play Sports Story, PLEASE save after every important event. Further, the environment will often randomly trap the player, effectively soft locking the game. I think it's important to give grace to indie developers when it comes to new releases, but there are several bugged quests that disrupt the flow of the game. Of course, I must mention the bugs and glitches. The Tennis Academy introduces a unique twist on the fetch quest, but the player is forced to repeat this task verbatim in every world after. That being said, later levels seem repeatedly rehash old mechanics.

Overall, the earlier levels are innovative, quirky, and cute. The gameplay and layout of later levels seem to repeat the earlier levels. While the mechanics of golf itself are fantastic, the player is often forced to grind golf levels for money to progress the story. Additionally, the game introduces some fun and exciting stealth and puzzle elements, but golf is clearly the central element of the game. The mechanics of golfing, tennis, and dirt biking are well-executed (although tennis could use some work when it comes to aiming), but sports such as soccer, cricket, fishing, and baseball seem to be an afterthought. The characters and world design are delightful, but this charm is dulled by the winding, confusing storyline. While the environments and dialogue are charming and well thought out, the storyline and gaming mechanics aren't fully fleshed out. While the environments and dialogue are charming and well thought out, the storyline Sports Story is a cheery RPG that overstays its welcome. Sports Story is a cheery RPG that overstays its welcome.

Download sports story game