Golf and trailer trash. As unlikely a combination as peanut butter and jam, but Outlaw Golf 2 fuses the two with reckless abandon. The first Outlaw Golf (not Vanilla Ice, although his alter ego Ice Trey does feature here) was a reasonably fun arcade golf sim that featured the ability to beat up your caddy. The sequel brings with it with a John Daly-sized quota of enjoyable characters and game modes. Ten pairs of swingers (we'd like to say of the fairway kind, but we're not quite so sure) are available, each with different attributes. The number of courses has been upped from three to eight, and although the new additions are typically wacky, they quickly become tiresome.

Players can build up their stats in one of the brilliant mini-games. Head to the driving range and chalk up some serious length, or chip balls into buckets to add points to your distance, accuracy and composure abilities. These are fun but nothing compared to the more zany mini-games on offer.

Lob exploding golf balls at a herd of cows, for example, or jump your custom cart through hoops and, in wickedly fun GTA style, run down as many spectators as you can within a time limit.

This leftfield take on the sport continues in the main game. Aside from all the regular (read: boring) modes like Stroke and Matchplay are the more interesting Casino and Vegas modes (betting against competitors) and Pick Up Sticks, where players get the chance to steal clubs from an opponent's bag.

So far, so Tiger Woods 2005. But this is where one of Outlaw Golf 2's many inconsistencies arises. At the end of the day it's golf. Arcadey golf, granted, but golf all the same. The Tiger series heads Xbox's leaderboard by a million miles, and Outlaw Golf 2's reliance on a power meter for your swing feels accessible but positively outdated. Putting spin on your ball is nigh-on impossible, resulting in some infuriating results when trying to chip or drive onto a green that's bouncier than Jordan on the latest D-lister doing the rounds. You can hand pick clubs, adding depth to the game, but what's the point when it's coupled with a very simple golfing engine?

Your Composure meter will fluctuate between In The Zone and In The Gutter. If you're feeling blue, use one of the tokens you've earned from sinking a Birdie or playing well. Tap Y and select a timed Cart Challenge or Beatings. The latter, one of the more fun parts of the first game, has been simplified, and it's now a mere case of pushing a five-button sequence at the appropriate time, with disappointingly bland, pre-scripted results.

The inclusion of Xbox Live will go some way to broadening Outlaw Golf 2's appeal, though like a confused, shaven-headed, cross-dressing bovver boy, this title struggles to find a real identity. Fun for a few hours, but only multiplayer will really give Outlaw Golf 2 the length it thinks it deserves.

1. A fun, alternative spin on golf games with suitably colourful characters to boot and five additional crazy courses.
2. The violent beatings return, though aren't as satisfying to pull off. Cart challenges are a lot more fun.
3. Tons of assorted game modes make multiplayer a real laugh, and the addition of Live play will turn the online airwaves blue in no time.

1. A frustratingly simplistic golf engine nullifies any depth added by precision club selection. Which is a shame.
2. Commentary is amusing and littered with risqué double entendres, though a limited variety means it quickly gets repetitive.

Accomplished arcade sports for the Golf Punk generation. Fun, but limited courses, gameplay and characters limit longevity.