Quest 2 and TGCVR

[Hooker]

I've been drooling over the new Golf+ app that "Only" runs on Quest 2, not my Rift S. So I broke down and bought a Quest 2 to try out that new golf app. It's pretty sweet but that's not why I'm writing.

I also got the usb Link cable to make the hardwire connection to my PC to use what Rift apps may run on the Quest from the Oculus app on the PC. Unfortunately the Link cable uses a USB C connector that I don't have on my PC so I had to order an adapter. But it won't be here for a couple of days.

So while monkeying around on the Quest 2 account I ran across an experimental feature called Airlink. Essentially it is a wireless connection to the PC that allows the Quest to see the Oculus App on the PC.

After I got that beta software running I decided to see if I could get TGCVR to run on the Quest 2. Lo and behold it runs almost as good as on my Rift. In fact I would go so far, with limited testing, to say that swing tracking is a bit more consistent on the Quest. Not to mention that that pesky cable is gone and I can play in another room with lots of space instead of the cramped den where my PC is. The only negative I've seen so far is a little lag on the audio, such as the noise from striking the ball.

But, it is likely I will be spending more of my time in Golf+ from here on in. It's currently only up to 2 full courses but it has lots of other goodies like a driving range, putting apps, and more.

[DrPredrag]

You are reading my mind. I currently have Rift S, and playing Golf Club VR is a frustrating experience. No matter how fast I swing, shots are around 150kph, can't hit over 200yds with a driver.
Anyways, saw that Golf+, looks sweet. I'm only looking to have a decent golf sim in VR, nothing else. The fact that you can play Golf+ without PC, makes me drool. Just buy it in the Oculus store and play! No cable, no Airlink!

Anyways, how is Golf+? How are the swings, precision, physics? I see the graphics are crappy like in Golf Club, but I get it that it must be simplified so it can run on Q2 without PC.

[Hooker]

Yeah, the Golf+ graphics are somewhat dumbed down compared to TGCVR but the physics of Golf+ are far and beyond TGCVR. A better bag of clubs, multiple modes of play like TGCVR (novice, amateur, etc) and more facilities, competition (leader boards right now), and related apps built in. Like a putting sim that has undulating greens, not ricochet rails and windmills.

It's realistic enough that I'm having trouble eliminating my natural slice but if I really try I've been able to draw a driver.

And, ironically enough, I recently figured out how to hit a driver over 200 yards in TGCVR. Apparently I wasn't holding my head still enough through my swing because of trying to swing too hard to get as much club head speed as possible. That was apparently screwing up the tracking. Now, 230-260 is pretty common.

With Golf+, right out of the box, I was hitting a driver 280-300 yards, even with that pesky slice.

And they say that real multiplayer is on the way! (TM)

In all it's well worth the $20.00. For the Golf+ app, that is. Not including the big bucks for the Quest 2. And both the Rift S and the Quest 2 can coexist on your network and PC.

[DrPredrag]

Hm, interesting about TGCVR swing. I'm using Rift S, and I'll try to keep my head as still as possible while swinging, but it's a weird solution to be honest lol.

[The Loafer]

I loved TGCVR. It looks great, had a bazillion downloadable courses, the UI was simply innovative for its time, etc really a fantastic game

But Golf is a social game, and a rare one at that in that although you can play competitive, you also play against yourself, trying to beat your best scores

And this is where Golf+ excels. The multiplayer , especially with the devs implementing the oculus avatars with lip syncing , is just fantastic. The physics are decent, the graphics do the job and at some point in the future, a course designer is coming as well

It would not have taken much for TGCVR to keep the crown, but it’s solitary experience I’d like an anchor around its neck. Nothing wrong for those who want to just play alone but for me anyway , it def feels like it reflects when it was made, which is over 5 years ago so therefore it is dated

P.S. Golf+ will be getting an Oculus rift port within the next few weeks (crossbuy with the Quest version!). I suppose it’s possible with ReVive it may be playable for steam users, however per the devs this is just a quick port, just to enable some extra oculus users an ability to play. However at this time, there are no improvements at all (outside I assume resolution and frame rate), so don’t go into it with the idea of a PCVR golf sim, at least for the foreseeable future

TGCVR devs: I love your game. I think the biggest crime you guys had was filled with good intentions but it was likely too early in the VR cycle to take advantage of enough users. I Hope you revisit your game someday with a sequel on this or other platforms that take advantage of better social / multiplayer features because at its core, it has the potential to be the best golf sim on the market .

Reclaim your crown devs, it is yours for the taking !

[Hooker]

Excellent review, Loafer. Thanks. I wasn't aware of the upcoming Rift port for Golf+. Might've saved me about $600 had I known. But that's ok. There's other stuff for Quest I wanted that isn't available for Rift.

My only complaint is that the Quest 2 headset isn't nearly as comfortable as the Rift S headset. The Rift S is much better engineered for comfort.

Oh, and Golf+ is certainly targeted for social users. I love all the other competition stuff they've implemented alongside regular golf.

[DrPredrag]

Oh daaamn, I nearly considered getting Q2 because of Golf+ lol.

[Hooker]

Well, I don't regret buying the Q2, even if the Golf+ port happens. I solved my only complaint, comfort, by buying the Elite Strap with battery. It made a world of fit difference, though it could be considered gouging just to bring it up to par with the Rift.