Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds starts off just right, with an eccentric announcer that pronounces the game’s title with the same gusto as the Austrian gent did for Street Fighter Alpha. Aside from being hilarious, it’s a taste of the quirkiness that is about to be unleashed on the player. As one of the few decade-long golf series out there – or any series for that matter – Hot Shots Golf has proven itself time and again with a solid system and a lighthearted approach. Out of Bounds continues this approach on the PlayStation 3, with all the flair and peace sign-waving a fan could hope for.

The last golf title that I found remotely engaging was the excellent Links 2004 for the original Xbox. Since then, my appetite for the sport has diminished as the Links series fell by the wayside and the only remaining titles were Tiger Woods releases, which up until recently had arrived to lukewarm reviews. What I enjoyed about Links is what I enjoyed about Forza and Virtua Tennis, and that is the general acceptance of it: I didn’t have to know the ins and outs of golf, racing, or tennis to enjoy them, but at the same time they were also substantial enough for fans to sink their teeth into.  That is exactly what Hot Shots Golf is all about.

Hot Shots Golf has a real approachability to itself that is only tempered by its over-the-top anime-esque characters and flamboyant presentation. If cutesy super-deformed golfers don’t bother you, then you are in for a treat. You are especially lucky if you happen to want your golf laden with fireworks, visualized golf claps, and flaming shots. The game’s style is prominent and about the only thing spared is the course itself – no wacky miniature golf-styled holes here. Don’t let the bright graphics and weird ending shots of nature fool you, though, there is a robust system behind all the pomp.

If there is one absolutely valid complaint it is that there are only six courses. It’s nice to have a limit so that a proper approach to each can be devised, but that is normally when a new tier or area is opened up but, unfortunately, that is where Out of Bounds ends. The game has a host of unlockable characters, clothes, clubs, and other goodies, and a strong multiplayer component with same-system and online play, but that only lasts for so long when you’re dealing with a handful of courses. That being said, the courses that are included are good and the progression system used is implemented well. There is a ranking system that is progressed by winning a top spot on a course, with victory bringing increased loyalty from fans (enhances your abilities), cards to flip over to unlock goods, and also experience. Once an experience bar has been filled, a new hole is opened up on the select screen, a versus match with one other player. If you defeat your opponent in the one-on-one match, then you gain access to a new playable character and a new rank. All of the unlocked goods are accessed via a handy set-up menu that is available each new round; and here is also a refreshingly elegant item management system that titles of all genres should make note of. The courses are the only real limiting factor.

It can take a while to get the hang of Hot Shot Golf’s mechanics. The dissonance between the extremely cutesy presentation and the difficulty that it can bring can be pretty jarring. It can be somewhat difficult to distinguish the fairway at times, and with a giant cartoon golfer it would be expected that it’s as simple as hitting the ball a few times and winning. Oh, no, no, friends: be prepared for sand traps, trees blocking your shots, and water that is starving for golf balls. There are power shots, as well as the basics, such as the ability to control the spin of the ball to help maneuver around the course. But even veterans will have do some readjusting as a new swing mechanic is introduced in Out of Bounds. The traditional three-button swing is still available – a labeled meter fills up and controlled by the presses – but the new mechanic is more natural, with a more refined and visual three-button method that has the strength of the swing indicated by the back swing and sparks marking 50% and 100% and the follow-through hit being timed by a closing reticule on the ball. I prefer the newer method, but I will say that I found putting a lot more difficult than I had expected. Thankfully, there are a lot of visual indicators to show elevation, wind direction, and relation of distance to the required power of the shot. All of the aids won’t stop you from giving a good “ARRRGGH!!” as the ball loops around the hole and rolls ten feet away, so be prepared for that. The versus opponents, luckily, share your putting fate. At least the game is fair with failure.

It’s a shame that the audio doesn’t match the visuals. From the muzak soundtrack to the overly tame sound effects, there just isn’t the same push as there is with the graphics. However, in spite of all things regarding good taste, I did enjoy the voice-over work quite a bit. There is just something hilarious and endearing whenever the caddy encourages you to go for birdie in a really bad Scottish accent. So, despite making for an uneven production, the audio does have its charms.

Overall: 8.5/10

There is no doubt that Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is a great game. It does have its problems, however, the least of which is a style that will either immediately put people off or confuse them as they find out that it’s a very capable golf title that isn’t as easy as its cuteness would indicate. I have to admit that it took a little bit for me to get into Out of Bounds because it was just so cutesy – the game is one cheer away from being just a pressed disc of pure sugar. The other and far more serious problem is that there aren’t enough courses to support extended play. Multiplayer helps, and it doesn’t hurt that the courses are by and large very good, but there is going to be a point when the locations just become stale and something new needed. I am assuming that is where downloadable content enters the scene, which isn’t a bad solution, but it would’ve been better had there been more to experience from the get-go.