Bandai Namco
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots: a successful shot, but not a hole in one
The classic franchise returns with an accessible, multiplayer approach.
Bringing back a franchise is no easy task. It’s not just about reviving the name, but also the entire legacy that comes with it. Hyde Studio, together with Bandai Namco, has brought back the Everybody’s Golf series, which had its last installment in 2017 after a long run of exclusivity on PlayStation. Now, living up to its title, the game is coming to other consoles under the name Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots, as its name suggests, is a game where golf takes center stage, but with the implementation of certain rules that give it a special touch. Beyond having realistic characters, our avatars in the game are like something out of an anime, with a very distinctive aesthetic that makes the game feel more friendly, while maintaining what the franchise had implemented for several years.
Learning to shoot
Let’s say it’s a game that’s closer to Mario Golf than EA Sports PGA Tour. Despite this, and the fact that it looks and feels like it’s something simple, it’s not. I must confess that at first I found the game more complex than I expected, to the point of going into the tutorials to see if there was something I was missing. Although one of its flaws in this regard is that it needs to be clearer with its mechanics, I gradually realized that the mistake was my lack of precision.
The main shooting mechanics are based on a three-button system: one to start and charge the power bar, one to stop the bar at its maximum point, and one to stop it at the precise moment so that your shot is as straight as possible. This takes into account other factors such as wind direction, slopes and contours on the course, and of course, natural and artificial obstacles. Even the green proved to be complicated in some places, but once you begin to understand the mechanics of the game, everything starts to make sense. Once you understand this meter, or if you already have some experience, you can find another pair that are designed in a circular format to make it more difficult due to the precision required. Mastering this is important, because if you don’t, there will be times when you miss badly, the screen turns negative, and your shot will go so wrong that it will go in the wrong direction, or worse, it will just go up and fall next to you.
Another detail to keep in mind is that the more you play, the higher your character will level up, and along with it, the caddy you have selected. As you progress, you will be able to earn money to buy items and clothing that will help your stats and thus improve your game, or even your caddy. In addition, each character has their own skills on the course.
As serious as it is fun
One of the most interesting aspects of Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is its different game modes, which can be for one or more players, either online or in person. In single-player mode, you’ll find Challenges, which allow you to unlock all the characters and caddies that await you in the game, while increasing the skill level of the character you use. On the other hand, there is the World Tournament, which is a type of story mode where you will lead the characters to play against each other with some dialogue in between. However, don’t expect deep stories or rivalries that will make you more interested in these characters. In fact, the game offers a mode where you can skip the dialogue so that you only have the option to play golf and that’s it.
On the other hand, it’s in multiplayer mode where we find the most festive and crazy side of the game. Although when you play with friends there is the option to play normally, there is also the Wacky Golf option, which adds a lot of effects to the game, from power-ups to traps, bombs, stealing your opponent’s clubs, or why not, including small whirlwinds on the green to help you get the ball into the hole more easily.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots features a total of 29 characters and 7 caddies to unlock, so there’s plenty to play for. There are also many golf courses to play on, as well as challenges to find.
On the other hand, we have the visual aspect. Although Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots runs quite well, it has its flaws. The lighting effects and effects in the distance look pretty good. While the game isn’t one that seeks to bring hyperrealism to consoles, there are some details that could have been better. Among them are some textures that simply look better when viewed up close, such as the grass on the green. On the other hand, there were a couple of moments when there were frame drops, but fortunately, it wasn’t at moments when it was really necessary.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots manages to bring the franchise back with a formula that balances accessibility and challenge, offering both relaxed games and moments of true precision and strategy. Although it has certain technical details that could be polished and its story mode lacks depth, the variety of characters, courses, and game modes make it a fun and lasting experience, especially when playing with friends. It’s not an accurate golf simulator, but it is a title that understands that, above all else, golf can also be a party.
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