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Everybody’s Golf marks the triumphant return of PlayStation’s beloved arcade-style golf series, previously known as Hot Shots Golf. Absent since the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita’s Hot Shots Golf World Invitational, this latest installment, released in 2017, drops the “Hot Shots” moniker and adopts its original Japanese title. Does Everybody’s Golf retain the series’ signature charm and addictive gameplay amidst a crowded gaming landscape? Let’s tee off and find out.

A Swinging Good Time

Everybody’s Golf delivers pure, unadulterated fun. There are no high-stakes shootouts, daring escapes, or emotionally charged narratives. Instead, the focus is solely on enjoying the simple pleasure of a round of golf.

The gameplay retains the series’ accessible mechanics while introducing welcome additions. Character customization is robust, allowing players to create unique avatars with various facial features, hairstyles, and outfits. Unlockable options expand throughout the game, offering an impressive array of customization choices. Players can also personalize their golfer’s voice, animations, and reactions.

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Beyond character creation, players can explore their personalized home area, which becomes populated with adoring fans as they progress. These fans, acquired through tournament victories, add vibrancy and life to the otherwise empty space. Players can even unlock fan appearances, further enriching their virtual world.

Two new features, golf cart driving and fishing, add variety to the gameplay experience. While not integral to the core mechanics, they provide a welcome diversion from the main golfing action and can be enjoyed in the home area and online free roam mode. A microtransaction system was noted but remained inactive during the review period.

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Refined Gameplay on the Green

The core gameplay remains faithful to the series’ roots but features notable enhancements. Courses are more detailed, populated with other golfers who freeze in place as the player lines up their shot. The presence of cheering fans adds to the excitement, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

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Course design is varied, featuring diverse terrains and environmental elements that impact gameplay. Players can choose between 9 or 18-hole tournaments, with the latter offering greater rewards and increased competition. Club selection, character specialization, and an “auto impact” feature offer strategic options and accessibility. However, mastering the timing and feel of manually striking the ball is recommended for optimal performance.

Before each shot, players receive information on wind speed and direction, hazards, and other course conditions, enabling strategic decision-making. Experience points are awarded for successful shots, contributing to character growth and skill development across various areas, such as power, control, backspin, and back door shots.

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Each club has unique strengths and weaknesses and can be leveled up through gameplay. While seemingly complex, these mechanics are intuitive and easy to grasp. The game’s focus remains on achieving victory and progressing through the ranks to unlock challenging boss battles and new content.

Multiplayer and Beyond

Everybody’s Golf boasts a robust online multiplayer mode. The “Online Open Course Multiplayer Lobby” allows free roam exploration and casual competition. Players can participate in 1 or 9-hole matches, race golf carts, fish, and interact with other players. Daily leaderboards and rewards further incentivize engagement.

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“Turf War” mode offers team-based competition, where players work together to achieve the highest score. Local co-op allows for 2-4 players to compete on the same screen. These diverse multiplayer options contribute to the game’s longevity and replayability.

Room for Improvement

Despite its strengths, Everybody’s Golf has some shortcomings. While not visually unattractive, the graphics lack a “next-gen” polish. Environmental interactions are present but not particularly impressive, and the overall visual presentation feels somewhat dated. Jagged edges are noticeable, even on PS4 Pro. While a 60fps mode is available, the game’s visuals don’t seem demanding enough to warrant the trade-offs in graphical fidelity.

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The sound design is adequate but not memorable, with repetitive music and occasional audio glitches. Expanding the functionality of the golf cart and fishing mechanics, or adding new activities and challenges, could further enhance the online experience and inject more variety into the gameplay loop. The repetitive nature of unlocking content through ranked matches can become tedious over time.

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Conclusion

Everybody’s Golf delivers a fun and engaging arcade golf experience. Its accessible gameplay, robust customization options, and diverse multiplayer modes provide hours of entertainment. While the visuals and sound design could be improved, and the gameplay loop can become repetitive, Everybody’s Golf successfully captures the spirit of its predecessors and offers a welcome return to the green. While not a groundbreaking evolution, it’s a solid and enjoyable entry in the series, perfect for both casual and seasoned golf fans.