|
Hot Shots Golf 2
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Clap Hanz
Genre: Sports
Release Date: February 29, 2009 / December 4, 2006
Platforms: PSOne, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable
Rating: E - Everyone
Reviewer: Eric
Sony fans already know how great it is downloading classic PSOne games for
the Playstation Portable and Playstation 3. I tend to download a few of these
games on a regular bases since I am a born again Sony fanboy. On my latest
purchase I thought I’d take a trip back to the glory days of golf games with Hot
Shots Golf 2. Going back in time with the Hot Shots Golf series is really
painful.
When Hot Shots Golf 2 first came out I remember enjoying all of the changes
except for one key element. They got rid of the mini golf aspect, something the
series has never gone back to yet. The controls and graphics got better with the
second game in the series but if you have been playing both the latest games on
the PS3 and PSP then you will start to wonder why you may have loved the second
game so much.
For starters the graphics can’t compare to the newer games. We all know that but
back at that time these were some pretty good graphics. Characters look good yet
their textures sort of slacked when they were shown close-up. This goes for
everything; nothing looked the best at close range.
Gameplay here is the same. Use the bar at the bottom to hit it all the way
towards the left and then hit the bold line at the end (don’t go back too far).
The bar seems to be faster than most of the current Hot Shots Golf games so
you’ll need to learn your timing all over again. Trying to do curve shots and
such is also harder too so don’t expect to go back and be a pro, unless you
never made it past the original PSOne games.
There are a good group of characters here, all having weird personalities. All
of their stats are different though most of the characters seem to play the
same. The only ones that really stick out are the power hitters since their
power shots actually go far. It is a shame because you won’t be playing as
everyone like you should, really a shame.
At least there is a nice arrange of unlockables to obtain. You have to get all
of the ten hidden characters, four sets of clubs, and six sets of balls. Nothing
is lacking and for a game that came out this long ago there is a lot to do.
Unlock it all and you can not play those other characters (I am not kidding) and
use different equipment.
If you don’t mind mindless music that is boring as hell then this game will be
your best friend. Really the tunes in this game remind me of walking in a
clothing store that is stuck in the 80s. Not the best choice of tunes at all.
The sound effects are not jaw dropping either. There really isn’t a whole lot
you can do with golf games. The ball makes effects, birds are chirping, and the
wind is wind. Characters have a few spoken parts, nothing great though. It gets
the job done so you can’t really complain a whole lot with the sound effects.
Final Verdict
Back when this game came out it was the best golf game on the market. Now that
we have gotten spoiled with the Tiger Woods franchise and other Hot Shots Golf
games there is not a whole reason to go back. For $5.99 (plus tax) it is a
decent buy but I would recommend saving your money for a much better golf game.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 6 out of 10
+ Easy to learn, really…
- Fans of the newer Hot Shots Golf games will need to learn
the game all over again.
Graphics: 7 out of 10
+ Not that bad looking, even to this day.
- Close-up shots could have been better, but this is a PSOne
game.
Audio: 5 out of 10
+ The sound effects sound good, too good.
- Wish I could say the actual in-game music was good.
Replay Value: 9 out of 10
+ Plenty to do from tournaments to unlocking new goodies.
- No online play so when the game is done your done.
Overall
6.75 out of 10
More reviews:
GameStats: 8.5/10
TestFreaks: 9.8/10
|
