Fair go for golf swing

Everybody’s Golf: World Tour, Playstation 3, Rating: 4.5/5. $99.95
ZANY styling and addictive game play ensures Everybody’s Golf: World Tour hits the fairway every time. In its first foray into the high definition world of Playstation 3, Japanese publisher Clap Hanz has developed an almost flawless title.
The Everybody’s Golf series has sold more than 10 million copies since its inception 10 years ago, and with every bright animation and crazy sound effect, one simple principle is reinforced – golf games should be fun.
Forget the photo realistic players and a lifelike learning curve, Everybody’s Golf: World Tour just wants you to have a good time.
The colourful game delivers an array of features, characters, courses and caddies. From the African savannah – where you’ll see elephants and giraffes roaming the fairways – to the beautiful Japanese coast of Okinawa, no detail has spared in the creation of some truly stunning landscapes.
With the club in hand, players can use the classic Everybody’s Golf swing, or tune their skills with the new advanced shots.
Advanced shots do away with power and accuracy meters. Instead, players use the character animation to time their drives and chips to perfection.
After beginning a swing with the X-button, power is determined by how far the backswing rolls. Tap X again, and an impact circle appears around the ball.
The smaller the circle is when you hit the ball, the straighter the shot flies. It’s an impressive, engaging and highly accurate swing mechanic. I loved it.
During each round of golf, the game keeps track of a number of interesting personal statistics; how many times you’ve hit the fairway from the tee, the longest putt you’ve sunk and the distance of your best drive.
The screen is always bubbling with useful information, and great shots can be recorded by pressing the O-button during an instant replay.
The game’s online mode is a joy to use. Enter the virtual clubhouse and join a Habbo Hotel style room, which is filled with other players.
You can roam around, have a chat to fellow players and then visit the registration to sign up for a tournament. I preferred running around and jumping on other character’s heads. There is one necessary evil that detracts from the initial boot up of the game. Copying game data onto your console hard drive takes about 20 minutes. It will save you hours (and I mean hours) of loading time once it’s done, just make sure you do the deed before you invite friends around for some multiplayer action.