ProStroke Golf: World Tour 2007
Score: 85% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Southpeak Interactive Developer: Oxygen Games Media: UMD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Sports (Golf)/ Sports/ Simulation
Graphics & Sound: Somebody needs to put ProStroke Golf and Hot Shots Golf together in a spoof on the PC/Mac ads that Apple created. For all the good things I can say about ProStroke Golf, there is no denying that it comes across like the dour, practical cousin of Hot Shots and other fantasy-fun golf games. From the window dressing of real pros on real courses, it is easy to say that ProStroke Golf appeals to the golfer looking for more of a simulated experience. The physics aren't so much better than any other golf game, but the realism is definitely a nice touch. Courses and pros map out on screen to be very close to their real-life counterparts. Curtis, Garcia, Lian Wei, Monty, O'Meara, Rose and Woosman are included in the game and play locations like the beautiful Lake Nona Country Club. On some level, a birds-eye view of a simulated course is about as good as a fantasy course, so what gives? The folks out there that are embarrassed by the cutesy, super-deformed characters of a fantasy game are going to gravitate toward this more realistic depiction of their favorite sport. The other thing that you can't get in a fantasy game is the nuance of playing on a familiar course. I'm not sure how many dedicated golfers are going to spend time on their PSP when the weather is nice and they can be out doing the real thing, but I guess you have to spend that time in the golf cart between tees... The sound deserves a special mention because of some excellent design and the featured commentators. Torrance, Baker Finch and Green are in the game and have a running dialogue through each round of play. There are times when the commentary doesn't exactly match up with the actions, but it makes for a more immersive experience. The programming and placement of the comments is wicked smart and will say things like "30 yards left to play" or "He can't be happy about that placement." The atmosphere is nicely set and the only strange thing is how the incidental sounds like the smack of the ball or the crowd clapping didn't record nearly as well as the voice-overs.
Gameplay: Arguing for this as more or less realistic than any other game is more of a religious debate. Like other sports titles, ProStroke Golf World Tour 2007 is defined by available players and courses. Tiger obviously has his own thing going on, but that doesn't mean that other pros are chopped liver. Okay, they pretty much are chopped liver in real life, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a simulated round of golf with them. One benefit of the PSP version is the portability and the ability to jump in and play quickly. On the downside, there are limited options to put down a game mid-round and return to it. The pacing during play is decent, but not great due to some loading and filler material after shots that slows down play. One major element contributing to replay and depth is a course creator that allows you to sculpt, play and share an entire course. This is a great addition and worth noting because most of these modes were cut in the past when games transitioned from large consoles or PC to the portables. The editor works well and helps players learn more about the difficulty of creating a playable course. There are some automated features involved in adding tees and elements on the course, but you do have the ability to "paint" or sculpt the fairway to your liking. Main modes are standard revs on a single-course session or a long career mode. A good Training Mode is a necessity if you hope to master some of the unique control options for this game. ProStroke Golf introduces the notion of play in certain tournaments by invitation only. This coincides with a player's stats over his career so that earnings are only a piece of how you get ahead. This is a nice touch for players looking to a more realistic experience and wanting a deeper game. Multiplayer modes allow for up to four players to be connected wirelessly by proximity. It is surprising to see the lack of true network play against opponents over the 'net. When soccer games can be played this way, I can't imagine golf being held back. The addition of a centrally hosted game server for ProStroke Golf would elevate the game tremendously in my opinion. As it stands, you can host or join 2- and 4-player games as long as your friends are within spitting distance.
Difficulty: Getting used to the mechanics will only take a little time but for long-time devotees of other games, it will be a hindrance. Playing many of these courses is challenging enough without the need to master a new control scheme. I found the physics a bit odd and unintuitive at times. Smacking a ball with plenty of forward spin predictably sent it barreling, but backspin didn't make nearly enough difference. The ability to slice and hook the ball coupled with stance options that let you trace a "C" shape is neat in principle, but I almost always needed to use the visual guide to get it right. Something like an auto-assist for controls would have made ProStroke Golf more accessible to novice or casual players, but my guess is that casual golfers will gravitate toward more casual, fantasy titles. As you learn more about the control scheme in ProStroke Golf, you'll find that it rewards diligence and will simulate real techniques that professional golfers use. A well researched game doesn't necessarily equate with a fun game, but ProStroke Golf manages to have high marks on the first count and decent marks on the second count.
Game Mechanics: The name of this game is likely a reference to the distinctive control scheme used to take shots. Usually I've seen the rising and falling power bar with a click at the bottom to start, at the top to set power, and again at the bottom to set accuracy. These clicks are typically on the same button. For ProStroke Golf, we see a system that tries to simulate the swing of a real golfer. The shoulder buttons on the PSP are the focus for the shot. Pressing and holding the R button will begin the swing. At the height of the swing, you press L to begin a downswing. If you hold the R button, you'll add extra power to your shot but the accuracy band will get more narrow. When you release the L button at the bottom of your swing, you'll take the shot. If you are within the accuracy band, you'll get a true, straight line. There are several settings you can adjust to affect the path of the shot. Moving the golfer's feet and stance will produce a hook or slice. Choosing the angle of your club's face will also change the flight of your ball. This is commonly represented as the point where you'll hit the ball to produce backspin or other spin. The shoulder button action is a bit more difficult to master than the traditional 3-click model. Is the payoff more accuracy in your shot? There is an "impression" of more accuracy because there are a few more things to consider during the swing, but the end result is not much different than in other games. The ability to create a double curve as mentioned earlier is unique. The way the controls simulate the actions of real-life golfers is also a draw for people that actually play the game. For those of us without real-life golf credentials, there is as much or more attraction to fantasy courses and players than actual pros and locations. It would be neat to see a game like Hot Shots offering a more simulated experience to match the swing mechanics featured in ProStroke Golf. There's no denying that this game works well on a conceptual level. Beyond concept it happens to be a fun experience with a good list of options and depth. If the next version includes true 'net play and some extensions to the play experience via downloadable courses, ProStroke Golf could become an excellent franchise.
-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock
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