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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Sport Developer: Clap Hanz Publisher: SCEA |
The Hot Shots Golf franchise has given gamers a very accessible port into the world of golfing games, but has also left a lot of room to
grow and develop so that those players that are willing to put in the time are going to gain a lot from the game. The newest release to
this franchise, “Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds,” follows the typical formula for the series and offers an amazing experience for both
rookies and veterans of the game, both of whom will find tons of gaming enjoyment.
This time around the game brings everything that players have grown to know and love from the franchise and added even better
graphics. There is also a new, more advanced way to play the game. The new Advanced Shot mechanic lets players focus on their
golfer’s motions rather than staring at the power meter, which makes to experience feel more realistic than before. Instead of watching
the traditional meter rise and fall using the three-click system, players instead need to press X to start the swing, follow the backswing,
hit X at some point at the top of the swing to set the power and hit X one more time during the follow through in order to hit the ball as
accurate as possible. While the system still works with three clicks and is still similar to playing with the traditional meter, having to
watch the golfers form adds a new level of difficulty to the game. Some will appreciate this new addition while others will want to stick
with the traditional meter.
By coupling the D-Pad with the swing, players will be able to apply topspin, backspin, hook or slice on the ball. The best part about the
way that this is implemented is that it relies not on how precisely the players lines up the cursor on the ball, but instead it is tied directly
tied into each shot’s accuracy. It is a little difficult to learn at first, but once a player has mastered this, players will be able to drop a shot
nearly wherever they want. However, players will quickly learn that using the most powerful club in not always the most accurate. This
means that plays will need to mix and match balls and clubs to suit their own playing style.
Throughout the game players are able to increase the abilities of their character to make the game a more fun experience. After each
round players increase their individual Loyalty bonus. Each Loyalty level gives players an increase to some ability, such as an
increased shot power. It is kind of like leveling up in an RPG, which adds a new level to the game because it lets players constantly
improve their character.
One thing that is lacking a little in the game is the upgrades and unlockables to customize characters. Players will unlock a few extra
costumes for each golfer and players are able to choose a caddy, but players can’t change clothes or hats or add some accessories to
their character. However, players can customize their online lobby character
Of course, the most important part of the game is the courses in which players will attempt to tackle. This time around the game has
offered some new fairways to play on. Also, the increase in difficulty from the first course to the last course allows players to ease into
the game. From the time players first step onto Highland to the end of their tour of Out of Bounds, the hole designs offer a variety of
holes over the course of a single round. The downside to the courses is the fact that are only six total.
The online functions of the game bring another level to the game. Players can play up with up to eight players in a single game or up to
50 players in a tournament. When players get only, they are taken to a lobby where they can walk around with their avatar and chat with
other players. Players are able to customize their avatar with different hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more. Players will be able
to unlock these accessories through single-player game. When players are in the main lobby, which like tournaments, supports 50
players, players can talk to other gamers but voice support is not in the game. Players are able to use a USB keyboard or the in-game
keypad to send messages to other players.
Once online, in a game, players play the course at the same time and the players don’t actually interfere with each other’s game play.
Players can toggle the other players on and off by clicking one of the analog sticks, but can be quite fun to watch the other players play
the hole next door. Of course, there is a time limit for each hole, and the only time players will be waiting is at the end of end hole while
waiting for others to finish their hole. This eliminates the need to watch every player take every shot throughout the entire match, which
makes the game a little more enjoyable.
“Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds” is an extremely fun golf game and should satisfy the casual or hardcore gamer and golf fans. The
game at times feels like an arcade game but there is a great deal of depth in the game that gives veteran players plenty to work with.
The game could have included more courses and the lack of voice support online is a bit disappointing, but the package as a whole is
enjoyable and offers a great experience to all.
grow and develop so that those players that are willing to put in the time are going to gain a lot from the game. The newest release to
this franchise, “Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds,” follows the typical formula for the series and offers an amazing experience for both
rookies and veterans of the game, both of whom will find tons of gaming enjoyment.
This time around the game brings everything that players have grown to know and love from the franchise and added even better
graphics. There is also a new, more advanced way to play the game. The new Advanced Shot mechanic lets players focus on their
golfer’s motions rather than staring at the power meter, which makes to experience feel more realistic than before. Instead of watching
the traditional meter rise and fall using the three-click system, players instead need to press X to start the swing, follow the backswing,
hit X at some point at the top of the swing to set the power and hit X one more time during the follow through in order to hit the ball as
accurate as possible. While the system still works with three clicks and is still similar to playing with the traditional meter, having to
watch the golfers form adds a new level of difficulty to the game. Some will appreciate this new addition while others will want to stick
with the traditional meter.
By coupling the D-Pad with the swing, players will be able to apply topspin, backspin, hook or slice on the ball. The best part about the
way that this is implemented is that it relies not on how precisely the players lines up the cursor on the ball, but instead it is tied directly
tied into each shot’s accuracy. It is a little difficult to learn at first, but once a player has mastered this, players will be able to drop a shot
nearly wherever they want. However, players will quickly learn that using the most powerful club in not always the most accurate. This
means that plays will need to mix and match balls and clubs to suit their own playing style.
Throughout the game players are able to increase the abilities of their character to make the game a more fun experience. After each
round players increase their individual Loyalty bonus. Each Loyalty level gives players an increase to some ability, such as an
increased shot power. It is kind of like leveling up in an RPG, which adds a new level to the game because it lets players constantly
improve their character.
One thing that is lacking a little in the game is the upgrades and unlockables to customize characters. Players will unlock a few extra
costumes for each golfer and players are able to choose a caddy, but players can’t change clothes or hats or add some accessories to
their character. However, players can customize their online lobby character
Of course, the most important part of the game is the courses in which players will attempt to tackle. This time around the game has
offered some new fairways to play on. Also, the increase in difficulty from the first course to the last course allows players to ease into
the game. From the time players first step onto Highland to the end of their tour of Out of Bounds, the hole designs offer a variety of
holes over the course of a single round. The downside to the courses is the fact that are only six total.
The online functions of the game bring another level to the game. Players can play up with up to eight players in a single game or up to
50 players in a tournament. When players get only, they are taken to a lobby where they can walk around with their avatar and chat with
other players. Players are able to customize their avatar with different hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more. Players will be able
to unlock these accessories through single-player game. When players are in the main lobby, which like tournaments, supports 50
players, players can talk to other gamers but voice support is not in the game. Players are able to use a USB keyboard or the in-game
keypad to send messages to other players.
Once online, in a game, players play the course at the same time and the players don’t actually interfere with each other’s game play.
Players can toggle the other players on and off by clicking one of the analog sticks, but can be quite fun to watch the other players play
the hole next door. Of course, there is a time limit for each hole, and the only time players will be waiting is at the end of end hole while
waiting for others to finish their hole. This eliminates the need to watch every player take every shot throughout the entire match, which
makes the game a little more enjoyable.
“Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds” is an extremely fun golf game and should satisfy the casual or hardcore gamer and golf fans. The
game at times feels like an arcade game but there is a great deal of depth in the game that gives veteran players plenty to work with.
The game could have included more courses and the lack of voice support online is a bit disappointing, but the package as a whole is
enjoyable and offers a great experience to all.
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