Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 (Video Game Review)

Video Game Review
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2
Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
2008
Developed by: Clap Hanz & SCE Studio Santa Monica
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment of America

Nothing can touch Nintendo’s super plumber. Forget even about the standard platform games. Mario’s alternative games (which are getting to the point where the next release will be beyond overkill) are still better than any of the other games from similar genres. Almost twenty years in, nobody can touch the Mario Kart series. Same goes for mini-game compilations and cartoony sports games. Golf is another story. Hot Shots Golf has been a stellar series for the various Sony systems throughout the years that, while very similar to the Mario Golf series, stands on its own. Sony’s Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 for the Playstation Portable carries out this tradition. In fact, not only is it one of the best golf games on the system but it is one of the best golf games on all systems.

Hot Shots Golf is an arcade based golf game. It never takes itself too seriously and the emphasis is on fun. All the characters are original and so are the courses; which range from traditional style layouts to insane fantasy courses. Teeing off is a matter of the standard three-click system: press the x button once to start the meter, press it again to set the power of the shot, and then a final time to nail the backswing. The closer the meter is back to the original starting point on the backswing, the more accurate the shot. Players can also employ spin on the ball by pressing the directional pad during the swing. Club selection is handled by using the L or R buttons, although the game automatically selects what it thinks is the best club to use prior to the shot. Players also have a limited option to add extra power to their shot before they swing which sends the ball a little further than normal. Players have to contend with all the things you’d expect on a golf course like elevation, wind, grass surface, water, and sand traps. On some courses, not only does one have to worry about the top of trees obstructing the line of a desired shot, buildings may prove to be an obstacle as well. Despite the silly appearance, it replicates the golf experience quite well.

The graphics look good for the PSP although it’s not pushing the system’s boundaries. Everything looks good but not as gorgeous as the Tiger Woods games on the PSP. The characters themselves look like bobbleheads and have accessories that go from the ordinary like hats and sunglasses to the bizarre like an old muscle car and a snorkel. The look matches the attitude of the game in that it’s not meant to be taken seriously.

The sound is another story. It takes a similar approach to the game like the graphical display but it’s a little bit annoying. The cutesy sounds made by players rival even the most annoying Mario title and the music that plays during the menu screens feels uninspired and flat. The sound effects of things like the golf club hitting the ball and other golf related sounds are what you’d expect to hear. It’s not dynamic but it gets the job done.

The bulk of the gameplay comes from the challenge mode. When you enter it, you have the choice of three events whose criteria are chosen at random. The difference between the three options, other than the course and game type is the rewards you can get by winning the tournament or match. Each selection offers a choice between playing for a head, body, or accessory card. Once you get the card, you’re given a random item appropriate to the type you’ve won. You can accessorize you’re player with any of the items that you’ve unlocked. The interesting part is that some items can offer stat bonuses which can improve the power of your character’s swing or ability to create spin on the ball, among other things. The interesting part is that mixing and matching accessories can create a slew of upgrades. This fits in well with the comical and relaxed attitude of the game since some of the combinations make your character look completely nuts.

The challenge mode brings forth two types of golf games. There’s the standard tournaments where you have to come in first to get the item card. The other type is a match game where you have to defeat the computer opponent. There will be events that have certain special rules applied such as additional penalty strokes for hitting the ball in a sandtrap or in the rough. After earning a certain amount of cards at a particular skill level, you’ll unlock a match game against a new character. If you win the match, you unlock the character to use and you also move onto the next skill level.

There are also several other options in this package. There’s a regular stroke play option that’s pretty much standard in all golf games. There’s also a mini game where you try to get as many points as possible by trying to hit your ball into various holes on a course. It’s fun but it really does feel like a mini since after five minutes, you’ll be done with it forever. There are a dozen courses in the game and they all have their own distinct personality.

There’s also PSP-to-PSP and online multiplayer. The multiplayer is excellent and it really adds to the value of the package. You play the course as if you’re playing it solo but you can see the other players’ balls whiz around the course at the same time. It’s fast and fun. The only problem with the online multiplayer is trying to find competition. This review was written in January 2010 and finding games online six months ago was very difficult, let alone currently. Additionally, the game does not support gamesharing so when playing ad-hoc multiplayer, each player needs a copy of the game. Still, it’s a very fun game to play with someone else either in the same room or over the Internet; if you can find someone out else out there with the game.

Since the game doesn’t really doesn’t make any fundamental changes to the core gameplay that’s been a part of the series (and most other golf games) since the beginning, fans might be split about this title. Some may really like the game and some might feel bored by it. The Hot Shots Golf series has always offered solid gameplay and there really isn’t any need to mess around with it. There’s enough stuff in this version that is either new or has been reworked that it’s enough to distinguish itself from other titles in the series. Then again, there have been many other Hot Shots Golf games that were released before this game (and after it as well). It has to be acknowledged that there isn’t many reasons to buy this game if you already have another Hot Shots Golf game. The only real change that series regulars may care about is the new golf courses. That’s not a reason though to justify someone who already has other games in this series to rush out to buy this game unless they are golf game fanatics. When it comes down to it, once is enough for some and the game hasn’t evolved much beyond the very first game other than the graphics to make it a must-buy title for fans of the series.

The challenge mode is great to motivate players to keep coming back although it feels too lengthy. It would have been better if they had offered more variety in different challenges; although I suppose there’s limits to what a game centred around golf can do. It just feels like you’re doing the same thing over and over and over again. After several hours of playing tournament after tournament, winning hats and shirts doesn’t feel all that thrilling. It would have been nicer to have had more minigames. They did include an option to search courses with the in-game camera for hidden objects like clubs, outfits, and playable characters but it distracts from the game more than it is fun to play. Another thing that would have made for a great addition would have been a create-a-player option which is something that you would think would make for a natural fit for this series. Dressing up a grandmother in a wacky outfit is beyond silly. Now dressing up my likeness to look like a grandmother in a wacky outfit; marginally better.

This review might seem down on Sony’s Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 but that’s only because it feels like more of the same if you’ve played other games in the series. If you’re new to the series, it’s a lot of fun and is very accessible to those who aren’t fans of golf games (or sports games in general). Anyone can pick up and play it and have a great time with it. It’s also a good game to pick up even if you have other games in the series but you don’t have a golf game for your PSP. It’s a solid game even if it’s been done before.

☆☆☆☆