PSP - Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee Recommended

Format
PSP
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer
Clap Hanz
Country of origin
Japan

Hot Shots Golf : Open Tee

By David Rasmussen
29th Dec 07

Tiger Woods be damned, must I play his “style” of gaming if I want to golf on my PSP?!?
Nay, I say thee nay!! Wielding my 1-Iron of Thor, God of Golf… I mean Thunder… I say to thee that ye are indeed worthy of a better golf game than the same old Tiger Woods every stinking year!

No, Michelle Wie, I’m not endorsing Michelle Wie WPGA Golf… sit down.

If it’s the GBA I’m playing Mario Golf… believe it or not. (Believe it, Mario Golf is fun! I gave it a 4 out of 5 when I reviewed it sometime ago!)
Wii! I’m playing Korean import Super Swing Golf (originally entitled Albatross 18).
PS2? Hot Shots Golf 3 & HSGFore!
PSP?… that’s the question, isn’t it. Thankfully I happen to have an answer (yes I do).

Another system is saved from the only choice of Tiger Woods golf (or crappy alternatives in games like True Swing Golf for the Nintendo DS… I’m golfing with a stylus and this is supposed to be True Swing Golf?!? Are you kidding me?!?) because once again the gang over at ClapHanz has pulled abother HSG out of their bag (I still dislike you for that abomination of video game sports evolution called Hot Shots Tennis for the PS2!) with Hot Shots Golf : Open Tee for the PSP.

And now my big complaint… the game is a great start that needed improvement, improvement that ClapHanz isn’t doing because they wasted time on… Hot Shots Tennis?!? Where’s the sequel to THIS game!! Come on!! I want to see Hot Shots Golf : Open Teen Round 2!! Bring it, damn you, bring it!!

If you are not familiar with the series here’s a brief synopsis of what Open Tee has in store for you.
Once again you head out into the curiously cute world of Hot Shots Golf (it’s like your playing for the PMGA, the Precious Moments Golf Association) to master the game and become the best you can be in the world of HSG!

To do this you’ll use a curiously (again with the world “curiously”) effective RPG like leveling up system (the more you play (and win) the more you gain skills in several abilities which raises your stats and playing ability) which is enhanced by the type of clubs/balls you play around with (several matching sets of clubs/balls are here to match your specific playing style, I usually go for the power set which gives you more distance but that’s me). There are also a large collection of clothes and accessories to unlock (unlike HSG on the PS2 in this game you can mix and match accessories to make a look all your own). Oh, and this game features unique “clubs” like a frying pan and umbrella (for starters) which can also be unlocked and used (though I have not yet seen any unique balls yet).

The game features a set of courses and unlockable players, nowhere near the amount of the PS2 big sister games, but they are good nevertheless. Only problem? In order to get the most out of each course you’ll have to play EVERY Match Play and Tournament set against you for unlockables, new clubs/balls, unlockable characters, etc in order to level up your character sufficiently to have an easier time with the next course you unlock (and the next level of play you unlock in turn). This drags out play for awhile, and slows it down abit. Also, well, without the ability to find anyone still playing this game (a fresh sequel with the ability to transfer your stuff and stats to the new game would fix that) the game lacks that extra oomph it had when the game originally released way back when.

Also while you do have a lot more Match Play than before (one on one play), you’ll find yourself playing the same characters (mostly the core 1st two playable characters) over and over again. Sometimes they are changed with different accessories, often wearing the very accessory you’re playing for in said Match Play, but for the most part it’s the same opponents over and over again.

Also it’s a long time between unlocking of characters (a few hours at least), which means it’ll take you at LEAST 20-30 or so hours to unlock all possible playable characters (and that’s being overtly generous on the timeline on my part).

As for the mini game of this game? A putting challenge? Er… not interesting.

I love the gameplay, it’s the same well done gameplay that I’ve grown to love from this series from the first time I laid my hands on it… still it’s a game that can only get better if (and WHEN) ClapHanz gets their butts in gear and crank out a PSP sequel. Come on, people, sequel me!

Otherwise Hot Shots Golf : Open Tee nails a Birdie with 4 swings out of 5.

-- David Rasmussen 29th Dec 07

PSP Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee Images