Welcome to Everybody’s Golf
If you aren’t familiar with Everybody’s Golf, it’s ok. It is what the Hot Shots Golf series was known as outside of North America. In what appears to be a move to standardize the series, Sony opted to drop the Hot Shots Golf branding and go with the Everybody’s Golf name worldwide.
It’s been twenty years after the first release of the series on PlayStation, and it is now celebrating its anniversary in a big way with its debut on the PlayStation 4.
Everybody’s Golf has always differentiated itself from the other simulation style golf titles with its own quirky, lighthearted style that focused on the fun side of the sport rather than its intricacies. Now, Everybody’s Golf has returned deeper and more detailed than ever before while continuing with its signature style.
Game Details
Platform: PlayStation 4
Developer: Clap Hanz, JAPAN Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Robust character customization
You’ll start out by being sent to Golf Island, the hub world of Everybody’s Golf. As you arrive, you are greeted by some central characters of the series who invite you to create a character.
What I loved about the game’s character customization is the amazing amount of options that you have. With eight different slots for custom characters, you can customize everything from their clothes, right down to the shape of their facial features. You even have the option of cloning any of the computer characters you meet while playing the game.
An easy to understand and straightforward progression system
After you are done customizing your look, its off to the golf course. Despite the seemingly many changes to the game, at its heart, the principle of the game remains the same. You’ll play over five different courses, all the while accumulating experience and in-game currency.
With these coins you can buy new and upgraded equipment. While on the other hand, the more experience you have will allow to unlock and play against pro golfers. These pro golfers have a wide range of skills and abilities.
Each opponent comes with a different set of rules when playing against them. Be it on the number of holes, the course, how to count the points and so on. After defeating your opponent, you’ll unlocking the ability to ride around courses in golf carts and also hit the pond for some fishing.
I did find it a bit disappointing that there were only five courses to golf on. Although, each of these courses are also offered in a mirror version and you can purchase additional course from the PlayStation Store.
Deep yet easy to grasp gameplay
Regardless if you are new to the series or a long time veteran, Everybody’s Golf has something for everybody. The game is somewhat of an open-world. Basically in the respect that you can move around the “Home” area freely and choose what you want to do next. This includes jumping into tournaments, solo stroke play, or verses battles.
If you just want to sit back and smash the ball with no real consequences, you can do so. Or, you can turn the game to Serious Mode for a more simulation-like golfing experience. The game’s intuitive 3-button click mechanic and power gauge makes Everybody’s Golf easy to play for everyone.
Charming cartoon style graphics
Everybody’s Golf really excels in the graphics department when compared to previous games. On the PlayStation 4 Pro you have the options for 4K visuals, or steady 60-frames-per-second mode. Either way, the game looks beautiful. The colours throughout the game pop and the courses look fantastic.
The course architecture is simply stunning and brings out the game’s charm. From Pacific Islands with stunning sunsets, to an Alpine course full of hills, to a desert valley that’s dry and hot—there is beauty behind ever corner.
Online fun
Everybody’s Golf has online tournaments that you can participate in, with special daily events offering more prizes for custom play, and Turf Wars, which is similar to Capture the Flag. Online tournaments take place on open courses, which you unlock at the same pace here as you do in the single-player portion.
These open courses have secret prizes and coins to find scattered throughout, and they change every day, giving you a reason to constantly check in to see what’s happening. Unfortunately, Turf Wars completely randomizes the people who will be on your team.
So, even if you sync your logins at the same time, you can’t guarantee that you will be playing with a group of friends. Thankfully, you really can’t get in the way of others online to cause mayhem. You can however, follow people around to provide support while they are rush from hole to hole.
Final Thoughts
Everybody’s Golf gameplay is deep yet easy to grasp, making it fun for both the casual and pro golfer. Moreover, the game offers a huge amount of content both online and off that will keep you busy for a long time. Though, it will take you sometime to unlock it all.
I particularly liked the game’s progression system and loved the character customization options that are offered. If you are looking for a game that is simply fun to play, Everybody’s Golf is sure to bring you hours of fun.
+ Deep yet easy to grasp gameplay
+ Fun for both casual and pro players
+ Lots to see and do both offline and online
+ Smooth online gameplay
– Can take a while to unlock all of the courses to play on
– Only five courses to play on are included with the game
OVERALL
Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4/5
Overall Rating 4/5 (80%)
Get Everybody’s Golf for PlayStation 4
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