Sony's Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds for the PlayStation 3 may not be the best looking or sounding golf game, but a new play technique and online features make it a solid pick.

Eat your heart out, Tiger Woods.

Out of the gate, Out of Bounds requires a massive 3 GB install to your PlayStation 3, which could spell bad news if you own the 20 GB system. Once installed, there are a couple of "cute" characters to choose from, each with their own personality traits and dressing styles. Unfortunately, Out of Bounds doesn't give you deep customization options so you can't really design your own golfer from the ground up. However, you can change costumes and use different accessories and clubs, which are unlockable over the course of the game.

With presentation, the six courses (yes, only six) look photo-realistic, right down to the sand that spits up when your ball lands in a trap. You can get a view of the current hole at any time with some helpful camera options, letting you zoom in and out with ease. Again, the characters are a little too cute for Tiger Woods players, but the real damage comes when they speak. Jasmine, for instance, sounds like a Paris Hilton wannabe, to the point that you wish her caddy would shove a five wood down her gullet. The music, at least, is soothing, if somewhat repetitive. Also, we have to admit it's nice seeing happy images at the end of each round, such as fireworks and dolphins, no matter how out of place they seem.

So there's a small count of courses, an above-average presentation and a huge requirement for hard drive space. How does Out of Bounds manage to score an 8 out of 10? That's easy – it's all about the gameplay. Sony put together a new Advanced Play system that works impeccably well. Instead of relying on the traditional three-button tap system, all you need to do is set up your character's back swing for precision and then hit the ball in conjunction with a closing reticule. It's a grand addition that makes Hot Shots Golf that much more fun to play. If you prefer the old style of play, however, it's still there as an option.

The courses look great. Too bad there are only six of them.

On top of the new gameplay changes, Out of Bounds also provides a first-rate list of stuff to do with your character. Even without the customization options, you can help them grow with new skills and accessories. A Loyalty System helps them achieve certain goals to become a better golfer. Over the course of the game's single player Challenge Mode, you'll unlock a wide selection of clubs, players and other goodies. It doesn't provide a quantum leap in gameplay changes, but at least it gives you something to do. The Tutorials are helpful as well, helping you tighten your game with topspin, backspin and, if needed, hook and slice options.

If you have access to it, however, you'll spend most of your time playing Out of Bounds online. The game features an interactive lobby where you can hook up with other golfers through text chat. From there, you can take part in quick rounds or jump into tournaments. Supporting up to fifty players in a tournament at once, we didn't try this in time for the review, but it sounds very promising. Unfortunately, the game lacks voice chat support, so you communicate the old-fashioned way with fast-moving fingers. At least you can plug in a keyboard to get your messages across.

Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds won't change how you approach a golf game. Sony knows what works and stuck with it, as the presentation is mostly unchanged and the door is wide open for more downloadable courses in the future. Nonetheless, the sophisticated gameplay options, staggering list of unlockables and online support make it worthy of a purchase.

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Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds Game Guide

SCEA

Our Final ScoreGood

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