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Everybody's Golf Mini Review
Chris Leyton
26/08/2005
The golf series for everybody returns to Europe, a must-have for PSP owners...
Sonyâs Everybodyâs Golf returns on the PSP; the series that opens up the sport to a wider audience not turned on by v-neck sweaters and fluffy club warmers. If licenses and authentic courses donât particularly excite you, then how about a completely accessible, addictive experience that puts the emphasis on customisation, character upgrades and most importantly fun.
The Everybodyâs Golf franchise has been around for years and usually done very well for Sony, particularly in native Japan where theyâre absolutely nuts for it. The game retains the traditional âthree-clickâ control system pioneered during the very first videogame recreations of the sport during the 1980âs, with one click activating a rising bar known as the shot, the second click setting the power and the third deciding the impact. Although titles such as Tiger Woods have given the technique a complete overhaul, the system suits the change of pace that comes with Everybodyâs Golf and its multitude of special techniques that are unlocked along the way.
Despite its simplistic appearance thereâs depth by the bunker-full in Everybodyâs Golf; varying commands on the d-pad during both the shot and impact sections of the swing provide the player with the chance to create almost any shot possible, changing trajectory along with varying the amounts of hook and slice. Perfect timing and correct commands on the d-pad can unleash super shots, ranging from a blistering drive off the tee to dropping the ball dead on the green.
The single-player mode is divided into four modes, although the vast amount of play stems from the Challenge mode to open up new courses, unlock new characters and earn various items to customise characters. Broken down into âTournamentâ, âMatch Playâ and âVSâ game-types, thereâs an addictive sense of variety to this mode while the first-to-three rule behind VS and Match Play ensures a relatively quick turnaround of games and progress.
A large part of the series appeal stems from the fact that it takes the enjoyable aspects of golf videogame and replaces the tedium with an excellent RPG character upgrade system, fun customisation features and a rewarding sense of progress through the game.
Characters feature five different attributes which increased based on the performance on the course, while experience points open up new ranks and a loyalty system affects the overall performance. New ranks in turn open up new courses to play in the slightly more serious âStroke Playâ mode. The system is heavily automated requiring little input from the player beyond actually taking the shots; this method suits the game and once again ensures this is a golf game for everybody.
With the vast array of unlockable material thereâs a wealth of smart little touches that continue the accessible nature of Everybodyâs Golf; tricky shots are automatically saved to the MemoryStick to watch in all their glory time and time again, whilst a series of medals are available to win through specific objectives.
Despite its ease to get into and dangerously high levels of addiction once youâre in, some of the gameâs interface can be a little bewildering particularly when it comes to decking out characters in all the extra goodies youâve unlocked. Unless youâre the type of person who likes to read manuals, the surprising amount of depth to the actual gameplay will only become apparent once youâve seen the assortment of guides during the brief loading sequences; itâs hardly a complaint, but given their short lengths it would probably have been helpful to access a guide somewhere in the extensive menu setup.
In keeping with the overall theme, Everybodyâs Golf maintains the series trademark visuals with anime characters on top of heavily stylised courses. This isnât the type of game of golf for those who like their Palm Springs or St Andrews; however the result is that virtually every hole oozes imagination and fun. The game is full of neat little visual touches such as characters running to the lie of the ball after a swing or a puff of smoke and scorch marks when a ball stops dead on the green.
Not being the biggest fan of golf I find it hard to see myself describing Everybodyâs Golf as one of the most worthwhile, enjoyable and addictive games available for the PSP. Thereâs a strong sense of thought and loving care thatâs been applied throughout the game; while itâs sophisticated physics ensure the game is fundamentally realistic, itâs styling and fun gameplay opens up the experience to those whoâve never dreamed of toppling the Tiger.
Just make sure to keep your battery charger to handâ¦
