Genre: Sports
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Clap Hanz
Release Date: June 3, 2008

There are few golf franchises so adorable and enduring as Hot Shots. The cute, disproportionate, anime-inspired characters and instantly accessible gameplay have made the series a staple on Sony platforms for many, many years. Fresh off their next-gen debut with Out of Bounds, the Clap Hanz team is back to work on the PSP with their latest outing, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2.

Those familiar with previous entries in the franchise know that the bulk of the experience lies in the single-player portion. That is no different this time, as there are four different modes to try, with Challenge mode being the primary focus. This series of tournaments and match play events allows you to tackle courses with the hopes of shooting a low enough score to win and earn yourself a couple of challenge cards. These cards unlock new accessories, hairstyles and wardrobes for your golfer, and collecting enough of them in any one category will give all of your unlocked avatars a boost in control, power or spin. The outfits and styles you gain with the cards are suitably outlandish, and while the outfits may be intended for one gender or another, there's nothing stopping you from putting a female character in football gear or a male character in a fancy evening dress. You want to make a nun packing a ninja sword? Sure thing. How about baseball player being followed around by a Chihuahua? Got that, too. Furthermore, since certain combinations of outfits and accessories grant you stat boosts, players are encouraged to experiment.

Aside from the cards, Challenge mode also allows you to unlock new golfers (by beating them in match play), improve your rank, and juice up loyalty. In a fun twist on finding a favorite character, the game rewards you for sticking with a player with 10 different loyalty levels. As you level up, characters learn special techniques, add additional power shots, and open up new wardrobe options. The only real downside to the system is that each character earns skills in the exact same order, so it grows predictable after a time.

Aside from the Challenge mode, single-player also offers Minigame, Practice and Stroke Play. The Minigame mode is particularly unique in that it's a par 3, hole-in-one challenge tasking you with hitting one of three oversized cups on a nine-hole course. While there isn't a ton of depth to this particular mode, it's a fun departure from the rigors of the main game, and some players may find it particularly addictive as they try and goose their scores to the utmost level.

The title also features online multiplayer options, with up to eight players in a match play event, and up to 16 in tournament play. Therefore, once you've exhausted the single-player offerings, you can take your game to the world and see how you measure up to the other wannabe hot shots out there.

Hot Shots has always been about easy pick-up-and-play controls, and that's no different here. Shot power and accuracy is controlled by the familiar three-click meter, and power shots, super spin, and recovery shots are here in full force. There is a bit more depth to the system than meets the eye, and wily veterans will still be able to utilize special shots to take risks that newcomers might find unpalatable. It's a great mix of simplicity and strategy, and even those who have played every game in the series will still find plenty of challenge here.

In all, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 is looking to be a rather robust and enjoyable experience. With 12 courses (each of which has a mirror mode), 12 characters, and a handful of caddies, there is plenty to see and experience in this iteration. Also, the incredibly deep Challenge mode, coupled with all of the other gameplay options, means that you'll always be able to find a mode that you enjoy, no matter what your mood. With only a few weeks left until launch, golf fans should go ahead and schedule a tee time for June 3. It's going to be a beautiful day to take a good walk spoiled.