Everybody’s Golf for Sony’s PS4 is great for quick rounds of arcade fun [Review]
With cool character customisations, a range of difficulty levels, and even fishing, the latest installment is the best version of this longstanding series yet
The familiar three button press timing system is easy to pick up but hard to master.The latest instalment of Everybody’s Golf for Sony’s Playstation 4 is the best version of this longstanding series yet. With the three main additions of avatar customisation, drivable golf carts, and a fishing mini-game, this game offers enough new concepts to keep you entertained for quite a long time.
Everybody’s Golf is the ninth golf game from developer Clap Hanz, and it sticks with the simple three-button press timing system that makes it so accessible to … everybody. That’s not to say the game is easy, though. A small misstep in timing on any one of the three button presses could send your shot into a sand bunker or rolling off in the wrong direction.
You unlock more courses as you progress through the single player mode, and though the beginning two courses are quite easy, you’ll have to start taking into account things like wind direction and strength, uneven putting greens, and inconveniently placed trees and water hazards. It’s fair to say there is plenty of accessible material for casual gamers, but also enough of a difficulty curve to satisfy those looking for more of a challenge.
A big selling point of the game pre-release was the ability to customise your character, and there are hundreds of accessories, tops, shoes, and hairstyles that you can play with to create the perfect look. However, all these items are only cosmetic, and have no effect on your character’s stats. So if you want to run around the golf course in a giant, pink, bunny suit, you can. It just won’t put more bounce in your shots.
Your stats (such as power, backspin, and control) now level up individually with your clubs. So if you keep landing your shot close to the pin with your five iron, that club’s control stat will improve. It’s a system that makes sense, but it will take a while before you can fully level up all your clubs.
There was also a lot of hype about the appearance of golf carts and fishing, but after trying these out, they don’t bring a lot to the table. Golf carts do help you get around faster on the online open courses (and are therefore a necessity in multiplayer competitive play), but the driving mechanics aren’t exactly Gran Turismo 7 here. Fishing feels rather tacked on, but is a fun diversion if you need a break after too many bogeys.
One new mode that deserves praise is the online-only “Turf War”. Two teams face off in a best-of-five holes timed race for points. The catch is that you’re free to go play at any of the five holes you choose, and there’s a teamwork and strategic angle to deciding which holes to fight for, and how to best plot your way around the course.
All-in-all, Everybody’s Golf really does have something for everybody. With five courses included in the base game (and additional courses as paid downloadable content), it’s a breezy, light way to spend an afternoon with friends.
Disclaimer: This review was written with a review copy provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment Hong Kong Limited