Official Website

Platform: PlayStation 3

Genre: Sports

Number of Players: 1 (up to 4 offline, up to 50 online)

Support: HD 720p, PlayStation Network Compatible

I’ve made mention quite a few times that in general; I just don’t care much for sports games. There are times when that doesn’t apply however, like with racing games, extreme sports, sports entertainment, and golfing games . . . at least to some degree. I’m not going to sit down and play for hours on end if you handed my a Tiger Woods game, but if you were to give me something that dealt more with the fantasy approach to golf, I’m quite fine playing it. Sony’s Hot Shots series has provided hours of fun in the arena of golfing and even tennis, and now those cute little golfers are making their next generation debut.

Hot Shots Golf, known in Japan as Everybody’s Golf, celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, and as the case usually is the lucky Japanese got the game before we did, though I’m sure there are a few out there who might happen to have a Japanese PS3 account set up and downloaded the demo from the store just to get a sample. This is considered to be the fifth title in the series, adding in the PSP version that has been released, and I think that anyone should really know what this game is about. It’s golf; but there are some differences that set it apart from the ultra-realistic golf games that tend to be more accepted among those who have a love of the sport.

The Hot Shots series has prided itself on being a golf game that in some aspects is true to the game of golf, but with a more toned down concept of play mechanics that make it a title that a novice can pick up and play as well as someone who has played every single golf title over and over again. This is fantasy golf filled with cute characters and courses that aren’t necessarily what you’d find in the real world, but they still have much of the same set up. It’s also about unlockables, and the Hot Shots series has plenty of things to unlock making it a game that has a good deal of replayability as well as a high enjoyment factor.

Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds offers fans of the series some familiar modes of play as well as some adjustments to the style in which you are able to golf. The single player mode brings back the tournament and you will initially begin with two different golfers that you can select from as well as one course. The first series of rounds are designed where you are the focus, so even though there are multiple participants, you won’t have to sit through every single stroke. The objective is to come in first in any given round, and this is done either with point or par totals, or both in some cases. Some tournaments will also have special conditions associated with them, so you may find that you have to use particular clubs, types of shots, or instead of playing through the course in order, the game may randomly select which holes you will play.

Those familiar with Hot Shots Golf will find that the traditional method in which shots are made is still found in this latest installment. By using this method, the bar at the bottom of the screen will indicate the power of your swing and once you’ve selected it, you must then hit your shot at the precise moment. The game now features an advanced shot style of play and with this; you will see the club quickly glimmer yellow or red as you go into your swing. This serves as the power, but now you must also hit the ball at the exact moment for good impact. In either mode, you can also use the D-pad to put a spin on the ball and as you play the game more, you will also gain other abilities. Pressing the circle button will decrease power shots will the triangle button will increase them and there are even things like the homing ball which will move in the direction of the hole. If making the shots in either mode proves to be too challenging, there is a solution. Simply choose the easy option before starting and all you will need to do is set the power, the game will take care of the rest. And, Hot Shots Golf wouldn’t be complete without power shots. You will only have a given number in any tournament that you play, so use them wisely, but players who master impact will be able to increase their performance, distance, and make the hole potentially easier.

There are other things to be concerned about while out on the course. Some characters may not perform as well depending on conditions, so a little rain can go a long way. Wind is also an issue that can make a perfect shot horrible, so checking the direction that it’s blowing is important so you can adjust accordingly. Courses also have sand traps which can deduct points from your score and the same is true of water hazards, though managing to skip the ball across these is rewarding. There are plenty of ways to earn points, but the same is true of losing them. Fortunately, the game will also give you the option to train in the courses as you unlock them, so you can take shots over and over without the worry of losing stats on your character, or you can go solo and see how many strokes you can complete a series of holes in.

In each course in tournament mode, winning is in fact everything. The more you play, you’ll begin to build up loyalty with your golfer, giving them new outfits, increasing the number of power shots they can use, and improving their overall ability. This becomes extremely important as the higher the loyalty, the better the equipment. With each tournament you win, you will also be given a series of six cards to choose from. These mystery items can give you any number of things. Better clubs, better golf balls, new caddies, memberships, and even accessories for your online character will all become available. Even if you lose though, the loyalty for your golfer will still increase, but winning tournaments is what really counts, not just because of the new clubs and balls, but it will move your ranking up and allow you to challenge the rival at the end of each section. If you beat them, they will becomes playable as well and allow you not only more characters but ones that are more skilled that the novices that you begin with.

You aren’t simply relegated to playing against the computer of course, and Hot Shots Golf also offers fans the ability to play the game with up to four golfers in the multiplayer mode. You can select a full eighteen holes or as few as three depending on if you’re looking for a short game or a lengthy session. Any of the golfers you have unlocked as well as outfits, clubs, and balls are all available, but you can also set the rules for penalties. Two stroke penalties for hitting trees or landing on the rough are all part of the lengthy list of options that you can use to even out the score and make things more challenging.

This is also the first Hot Shots Golf that offers and online mode, though the PSP version did provide some multiplayer, but this is quite a bit different. You will begin by creating your golfer from a list of looks, outfits, and accessories, and everything once again goes back to winning tournaments to get more of these to add. At the clubhouse, you will find a list of different rooms, all with various themes where you can communicate with other players by using some of the instant text or writing whatever you’d like, and if a friend happens to be logged into the PlayStation Network, simply pull up your list of friends, send them a message, and have them join as well . . . assuming they have the game of course. Players can join with up to 50 other players and like the multiplayer, you can choose the options for the game. However, there are some other options to help even things out, so you can create a game that is only for friends, you can set the match so only players of the same skill level can play, and you can also implement whatever rules, regulations, and penalties you’d like.

The Hot Shots Golf series has always been an interesting blend of visuals. The characters once again have a very cute, anime-inspired look to them and have plenty of interesting animations to go along with them, like Bjron for example popping up in front of the screen and waving at you before he gets into position to tee-off. The courses on the other hand have a more realistic quality to them. Seeing the grass blow if it’s windy enough or something like a ladybug sitting on your golf ball really makes the game enjoyable to play. Even the water effects look extremely fantastic, and you will find plenty of variety in each of the courses. Being able to see your golfer for different points of view helps a great deal as well, not just to get a better look at them, but I found in my case that when using advanced shots, it was better to see things from a side view than behind the golfer. Even the replays are fantastic, and you can trail the ball, watch the shot as you hit it, and a variety of other options, and for those classy shots, the game will automatically record and save them in your Data section so you can relive them whenever you’d like or delete them from your PlayStation 3, and memory.

I’m not a big sports fan, but Hot Shots Golf is definitely a hole in one as far as I’m concerned. The game is, just as the others have been, easy enough that anyone picking up a controller for the first time should have no problems playing the game, but it’s also enjoyable enough that I believe those who take golf seriously should have a great time. For me, Hot Shots Golf became a nearly eight-hour straight playing session with very little time take for breaks . . . something that’s a sign of a great and addictive game. Hot Shots Golf has always had a loyal following, and this latest version should keep fans playing and having a great time, and as the Japanese PlayStation Store seems to indicate, downloadable content is imminent meaning that even if you master the game, there will be a lot more to come and keep you swinging.

-mike-