Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 Review (PSP)

Sony's second PSP golf outing scores an easy birdie.

by Robert Workman on Monday, June 02, 2008

There are two types of golf games in this world. You have the ultra-serious, dedicated-to-the-sport games, such as EA Sports' Tiger Woods entries. Then there are the arcade-style golf games, the ones that anyone, even non-golf players can get into. Clap Hanz has hit the mark with these games with its Hot Shots Golf entries, scoring most recently with Out of Bounds for the PlayStation 3. Now it gives PSP owners another round with Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2, and there's a lot to like.

You begin the game by choosing one of two characters, both overly cute and eager to swing a golf club. That's not to say the roster is limited, though. You have 12 courses, each varying in design and difficulty. Over the course of the game, you can unlock all 24. Just because you know how to score birdies on one course doesn't mean you'll automatically do it on another. Don't forget you also have to consider other things, such as the wind factor.

Some characters like to golf honorably. Click on image for more screenshots.

Open Tee 2 plays just like the original, with an old-school button-tapping system to determine power and accuracy. The new power stroke system from Out of Bounds is strangely absent, but the old gameplay style works just fine here. There's also an "Easy Play" option, if you don't want to deal with a difficult golf swing. A Training Mode lets you learn the basics again in case you need a refresher, with everything from ball placement to swing mechanics covered. Still, it won't take long to get this system, especially if you played previous Hot Shots Golf games.

Along with getting into a quick Stroke Play match, you can also partake the game's Challenge Mode. You'll find various tournaments available, which will reward you with cards that unlock most of the game's new content. These include additional golfers, courses, loyalty points, moves and accessories, which play a huge part in the game. With over 300 accessories, you can design your golfer any way you see fit.

Who wears a baseball glove while golfing?! Click on image for more screenshots.

Minigame is worth a try as well. In this mode, you're given nine holes to nail as many holes-in-one as you can. While this sounds impossible, it really isn't. You have to hit balls into trenches that lead to holes with various point values. It's gimmicky at first, but a fun addition.

What really makes Open Tee 2 worth swinging open your wallet for is the online functionality. Clap Hanz has generously added Infrastructure support, letting you hook up with a friend in a quick match game or taking part in a 16-player tournament. It's not a complicated feature, as you play in turn-based fashion instead of swinging clubs all at once. Still, it's great to hook up with others for a match, in case you don't have friends to do it with locally. If you do, the game still supports eight-player off-line play. The overall online action is steady, although there are occasional hitches that get in the way. Hopefully Sony will have those cleaned up within the game's first week of release.

If you've played Hot Shots Golf before, you know what to expect with Open Tee 2's presentation. The game doesn't look amazing, but has finely tuned courses, above-average character animation (it's funny watching them mope after getting a bogey or worse on a hole) and easy-to-read green grids, which let you determine your putt direction. The quicker loading times are nice as well. As for sound, well, you'll either love it or hate it. The music is peaceful and easygoing, but the irritating character voices get old. You'll find yourself lowering the volume once your caddy starts belting out negative advice.

If you don't care for arcade-style golf, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 won't change your mind. However, if you can't get enough of it and have $30 in your wallet, it's worth your time. The Challenge Mode and online-supported features give you plenty to do, and the gameplay and graphics remain par for the course. Hit the links and have a ball, a golf ball, that is.