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Hot Shots Golf Fore!
A golf game for the rest of us
BY JIM MURRAY
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WHEN IT COMES to golf videogames, I’ve never been a fan of the ones that are too damn serious for their own good. You know the games I’m talking about: EA’s "Tiger Woods" series, the frat-boy and fat-guy bar magnet that is "Golden Tee," and the longtime PC hit "Links." To me, the problem with those games is that they simulate golf so well that the games are just as slow and frustrating as the actual sport! Not to mention, I’ve always thought that these kinds of golf games had the same "uppity" feel to them as the local country club at which you’ll never be able to afford to play. Where’s the fun in that? Enter "Hot Shots Golf Fore!" for the Playstation 2. This is a game that actually brings the "fun" into golf videogames. I’ve always been a fan of the "Hot Shots" series, ever since it made its debut on the original Playstation about five years ago. "Hot Shots" has always been the type of game that anyone can pick up and play — and get quickly addicted. It’s no wonder why Sony has always marketed the game as "Golf, for the people"; it just makes sense. "Hot Shots Golf" as a series has always had simple controls, great (albeit very anime-styled) graphics, and most importantly, little to no learning curve. This latest installment is no different. "Hot Shots Golf Fore!" blows away its previous PS2 entry by letting you have 30 (ahem) "wacky" players to choose from. Most are just bad stereotypes ("Fat guy," "Stoner," "Pimp," "Slut"), but to me, that’s more fun than playing as Ernie Els or Vijay Singh. You get 15 different courses on which to play and all sorts of "unlockable" content to keep you playing, such as new caddies, souped-up clubs, and golf balls and gear. Additionally, for the first time in the franchise’s history, "Hot Shots Golf Fore!" features on-line play, so if you’ve got the PS2 Network adapter, you can now tee it up with thousands of other Hot Shots fans. So if you’re like me, and you don’t like your golf games too serious, and you don’t want to spend weeks having to "build up your guy" or by getting over a steep learning curve, pick up "Hot Shots Golf Fore!" for the Playstation 2. It’s the type of game that you and your friends or significant other will have a blast with while having a few drinks. Score: 7.5 (out of 10)
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