ashamed i have to but seeing as it's one of my recent purchases i must joke on it too somewhat

"I'd hit it"

Bleentastic sees bandwagon and jumps

DO WANT!! Oh wait, I don't have a PS3 T_T Well, I guess we don't always get everything we want (*sob*)

Jonathan

I've lost a lot of sleep over this game. Love every minute of it.

WolfGod

Sorry, but this is a game for twelve year old Japanese girls. I played the demo for the PAL version and was embarrased to be seen playing when my mates walked in.

DelSource

@skwish: The first-generation 2x (9MB/s) Blu-ray drive in the PS3 is not 'REALLY' slow compared to a high-speed DVD drive such as the 12x max (6?-16 MB/s) drive in the original 360. On the outer rim the DVD drive is almost twice as fast, but this gradually decreases until the DVD drive is probably slower than the Blu-ray drive. Of course, game developers producing 360 games will place frequently-accessed content on the faster areas of the disc (and most of the disc is in the faster portion), but even so, I wouldn't say 9MB/s is 'REALLY' slow compared to say an average 15 MB/s. Pretty slow yes, 40% slower yes, REALLY slow? I dunno. :)

Anyway you are probably right that one reason for HD installs is that the Blu-ray drive is a bit slower than the 360's DVD drive. Doesn't stop them making an install optional though - to me that smacks of lack of effort/development budget, i.e. they couldn't be bothered to optimise their disc usage to make the load times bearable when coming from disc, so they just chucked it all onto the HD.

In other words yes unless people complain loudly about mandatory installs they will keep doing this because it saves time and money.

In a few years perhaps Sony will come out with a newer model using a 6x drive (or 8x or whatever is available by then, not sure where the practical limits kick in i.e. how much faster Blu-ray drives will be than DVD at peak)? Who knows.

quen

install times = gay..
have fun 2 or 3 years from now when you goto play this game (yes, we all throw old games in now and then), and then have to sit their for 20 minutes to play it again..

Scrapple

@celery:

You stink.

Like cabbage.

Groodle

So the install process gets listed under negatives in the review, where it rightfully belongs, and isn't given undue attention, and what do the comments look like? A bunch of Sony fanboys jumping in to tell us to make sandwiches and get a life. The irony is pretty hilarious really.

Really, there are far more comments trying to turn the install into some sort of demented feature than there are comments actually bashing it.

celery

I love all of the tearful defenses of the mandatory install. While I own the game, and didn't terribly mind the install, I don't want this to become an everygame practice. If it's a PS3 exclusive and really does need the HDD space, I'm fine with it. What I don't want to see is ports and every multi-platform game under the sun come with an unflinchingly mandatory HDD party escort submission position.

That being said, if it really did bother me, I wouldn't have bought it(Like I did with DMC 4). Nor should anyone else. You can't buy the game and not support mandatory install. It's one or the other.

Destrudo

@Rectangle: "Why is there no voice chat?

Why isn't that listed under hated?"

Maybe because he didn't hate the fact that there's no voice chat?
Personally, I have a mic but turn it off in 95% of games I play.

That said, the one game I am looking forward to voice chat in is LittleBigPlanet. I read somewhere (here mabye?), that they're working on lip syncing your avatar's animation to you talking. If MM put a "Recording" feature in that game, it could lead to some very funny user created videos.

Doshu

@notalkjustrock:
Why do we have to accept it, exactly? I mean, the 360 and the Wii seem to work fine without the rediculous installs. It's just the PS3 that's forcing it on the player...how much space are we going to need to save on our HDDs just for preinstalls?

cxmnky

@Mike Fahey: lengthy installs should be due to having a better gaming experience and less delays due to info being pulled off the disk. I am OK with that. My only concern is running out of install space on my PS3 after too many games being installed. I am planning on upping to a 250GB SATA drive to curb this and get Linux on there for real web surfing without the the "need flash player" brakes I keep getting. Thoughts?

Awoken

I love this game, but online multiplayer sucks because 1) you don't take turns (you both play simultaneously) and 2) no voice chat.

I can see why this might be nice for large public tourneys, but when you and a friend want to play a casual game together, it sucks the way they did it.

wild_world_girl

@Groodle: Well, when people buy games, they usually want to be able to jump right in. I know if I had to wait 12 minutes for Brawl to install, I'd be... I don't know what I'd "do," but I know I wouldn't be happy at all. AT ALL! Other than that, it takes up space which could be used for other things.

DONNYchiban

Bought the game when it came out in Japan, like, 9 months ago. Great game, but as was mentioned, my biggest gripe is the complete lack of character customization when compared to the superb PSP version. Very disappointing. I was hoping it'd be fixed for the US release, but it looks like that wasn't the case.

kylenalepa

@Car2oon: Understand completely, but if they followed other industry models and implemented a system that allowed you to turn it off completely, mute offending players, etc. EVERYBODY wins. Also, chat would be AWESOME if it activated within a certain radius of others in the lobby system.

rotcepsurt

@Dioxen: It's still not really an issue. The problem with PC's was that they were not user friendly. Consoles still automate everything for you, it's not like PC where you got so many problems with compatibility, errors in updates, patch problems, etc. Consoles are getting PC like functionality, but without the hassle.

Kyle81

@enewtabie: Yes, people put up with it on the PC. A large reason people buy consoles is because they don't want to have to go through all the tedious shit that PC gaming consists of.

Dioxen

The last Tiger Woods game to come out for the regular Xbox was so fantastic for local multiplayer. I also really liked the first 3 Hot Shots, but never played Fore. I think I'll pick up this one though. I'm definitely a fan of a good golf videogame. Though I'm so awful at the sport in real life it's funny! Honest to god, I can't even finish one hole in as many strokes as it takes your typical golfer to finish an entire course.

baked ham

The price felt steep, but I know I'll be liking this when I get home to play it tonight. I'm looking forward to We Love Golf more, I think, though.

dynendal

@rotcepsurt: I dunno, I get pretty annoyed when I'm setting up my shot and the background characters won't shut up. Add that online chat to that...

...I still hope they add it in though.

Car2oon

Jeez, can we stop complaining about the install? Damn the developers for utilizing the PS3's standard harddrive as a work-around to blu-ray's slow read speed!

Love the game, addictive as hell.

Car2oon

This was a definite buy for me until I found out that there was absolutely no voice chat whatsoever. :( Really, why go through such great lengths to create such a nice new lobby system and force everyone to do text chat. RETARDED.

rotcepsurt

Hh my goodness, what in the world are people going to do for a whole 12 minutes!!!!?

You could go outside ... But that would actually require you to get off your ass.

You could make a sandwich ... See above.

You could ponder what to do for 12 minutes, during the 12 minute install then get stuck in some sort of time warp for 12 minutes and then you forget why you were waiting for 12 minutes.

Or you could just wait and be happy that you can actually have the game!

Janos2615

Not a big golf fan but i played a couple of rounds of this and thurly enjoyed it.

weasl

@Groodle: Well, I was just stating that opinions are opinions, and people getting upset over Fahey's opinion is absurd.
As far as installs are concerned, I currently have a 120gb 360 and would love for some games to have installs or cache more onto my HD. Not that the loading times are long, but if they could be eliminated all together by this and have a over-all better perfomrmance, I am all for the option. I honestly view OPTIONAL installs as a plus for the PS3.

I_Hate_This_Place

@Kyle81: There ya go... I like that way of looking at it. HD installs were actually an advantage held by the PC. Word.

McBonk

@Groodle:

Groodle, your typos stink.

Groodle

@All:

I understand. I do agree it should be optional, certainly, and it should also preclude you from having to insert a disc every time (but that ill not happen for the same reason 99% of PC games that have an install still require the disc be in the tray to play).

However, install processes give me a great reason to peruse the instruction manual of a new game, which I would never do otherwise.

Besides, when I threw in HSG and started up the install last night, I just played come GOW: COO while I waited.

:)

Groodle

@skwish:

What?

Playing Uncharted seems to prove that the PS3 is more than capable of streaming data.… no load times, no install.

Accordion

@Konchu: Installs are the way of the future, it is the actual advantage PC games had over console games, always has. Main reason PC games generally trump current gen consoles in performance and game content is because of the hard drives. As time goes on, more and more consoles are going to include hard drives, it just makes sense, it helps game development and offers games greater capabilities than disc streaming.

Just like how patching games has become a normal thing now, just like PC games.....

Kyle81

@Mike Fahey:

I agree. Installs should be an option, not a requirement. I will personally install every PS3 game to decrease load times, but it should be just that: an option.

You should not take away the end user's ability to just plug and play your game.

LostToys

I've been playing the launch HSG game for PSP, grinding it like crazy. I now have 3 golfers and 3 courses. It looks like there are supposed to be lots more in the game, so I guess what I have is probably at least a few decades to go before I'm done with it.

@PapaBear434:
TRUTH. Required installs and patches kill the console advantage >:(

fuchikoma

ps3 finally got the clap

subterfunk

@AsWater:
at least 4gb since it installs 3.599gb ;o

sUKi

Is this why you've been playing Hot Shots for the past week?

Because, no joke, whenever I've logged onto the PSN you're always playing.

Jesus Christ

How much hard disk space is required??

AsWater

I got the game last week and for the most part I am loving it. However, my biggest complaint is that you can't save an offline game while in progress to pick up and continue later. I think it's strange that the PSP version of HSG: Open Tee lets you do this, but not this PS3 version. A friend & I were on the 11th hole of an 18 hole match and he had to leave unexpectedly...we couldn't save so the whole game was lost. I was shocked to finf there was no save feature, pretty major oversight IMO.

Mycool

@Wolfers: mine says 3.6gb but most likely will get bigger since i HOPE they start giving out prizes during online tournaments.

sUKi

"The golfers look more like action figures than computer-generated models thanks to the power of the PS3."

lol

dubz

I've unlocked only one character so far, the Tsundre richgirl loli, but it's really fun. Been forever since I last played any hot shots, so i'm trying to relearn the game.

So far, haven't had to deal alot with spins and hooks or such, and i've come pretty close to eagling a few holes. Tend to get par's and birdies.

mrantimatter

i wonder if mgs4 will require a 40 minutes to an hour install time considering how "big" it is with all it's uncompressed videos and audio.

ManjiKengo

It's not another 5GB install, is it? That would be three already. I think I'll plop a 250GB drive in right off the bat when I pick up my PS3. Sadly this absent-minded trend is catching on (I blame you, Capcom.)

Wolfers

Yeah I don't like the trend of install times for console games. That has been an edge that console games have had over the PC I see no reason to loose. Optional installs I think are great. Streaming to the HD in the background(invisible installs) to speed loading is great. But here is the issue with mandatory 4 gig installs. If you have a 20 gig system thats only about 4-5 games you can install and with the 40 8-10 now this isn't the worst thing that could happen but this means it harder for me revisit older games as well as less space to use for videos music etc. This also forces me to manage my data more. And if I want to simpy show a friend a cool thing in the game 2 years from now I will likely have to wait once more just to install it.

Konchu

As much as I've enjoyed playing the HSG series, $60 for a golf game gets a pass from me (or any sports game for that matter).

def PD

and I find that HD install is done right. at least during the online portion of the game. rather than keep reading off the disc to load everything during Tourney and such it's already ready to be read faster <333

sUKi

I picked this up over the weekend and am having a blast. I've been a hot Shots fan since 3! We should have a Kotaku tourney. Fahey! Make it happen!

It sucked while having to sit through the install time, but the amount of enjoyment the game provides quickly eclipses the memory of the the waiting.

Valrik

The only reason we have to deal with install's is because the read speed of current generation blue ray drives is comparitivly REALLY SLOW. so they can not effectively stream content of the disk yet.

which is why we get massive installs and no noticable difference in loading when compaired to the 360

skwish

@nxp3:

I find the adv. shot is easier to use because i can make the ball go further and have more control of how the fall spins and such. Takes some practice but Adv. >>> Traditional at least to me.

sUKi

@Islandkiwi: There is a total of 6 courses, 15 golfers, and 9 caddies.

I love it and the advanced shot mechanic, but like he said you play a lot of the same course, mirrored, long tee, etc before getting to the new and much more difficult ones. It is also a 3.5 GB install.

IIGrayFoxII

God, I would love this if it had remote play..No more boring lunch breaks.

enewtabie

Omg 12 minutes!?!

Go get a PC and then complain :p

Jekht

@Complaining about installs: I just can't take this - people that advocate delaying a game for months to make sure it's properly polished can't wait 12 minutes to ensure that it takes advantage of every resource available to it, to bring you the best experience it can?

That said, I do think installs should be optional, due to HD space limitations.

Jakuub

I purchase this. Although I like the advance shot system, I still find it hard to guage the power of the swing. Maybe I'm not doing it right...but I like the old system better.

nxp3

I love this series but I really wish they would bring back the mini golf holes from the first game =(

Ganglor

wait. it took 12 minutes to install the game? mine was sooo short like less than 5 minutes.

I really am enjoying the game so much. unlocking the characters, the costumes, the clubs and balls and then unlocking accessories for my online avatar. man, there's a lot of things to do in the game. I really am enjoying the online tournaments. I suck but I do play it. Probably put in over 10 hours into the game just in the online. now add offline I say 5-10 hours. Oh and I hate the odd Virtual Keyboard. sorry. really. i don't like texting on phones. and i don't feel like doing it in the game ;3

sUKi

Picked this up upon release and enjoy playing. Definitely a fun game to play.

bruhkgb

@Gambare: Actually, I'm sure there are plenty of reasons to bash the PS3 still. Just like there are still plenty of reasons to bash the wii and 360. The more you wine about it and try to defend it, the more it turns from valid complaint to "haha, let me rub this (insert company name) fanboy the wrong way". People have opinions, and apparently the install is not favored. DEAL.

I_Hate_This_Place

ok new reason of bashing the PS3:

Install times.

Looks like the PS3 haters ran out of reasons

Gambare

@ElReyMysterioso-PBUH:

I think it has more to do with the fact that it has a guaranteed hard drive. Game makers loved the original XBox for that reason, being able to cache things. The next logical step would have been to do installs. But the current market leaders, the 360 and the Wii, don't have one guaranteed, or have one at all.

It's just one of those issues of taking advantage of the hardware at hand.

That, and the Blu-Ray speed issue has been greatly exaggerated. Yes, it is a bit slower, but it also has at the lowest 5x the information to dig through to find what it needs.

All that being said, it's annoying as hell and needs to freaking stop.

PapaBear434

@Erwin: sounds good, except you might want to elevate 2/10 to 11/10 on your scale ;)

lasttimeyouaskedme

@Groodle: if installs become the norm, it'll become harder for people with large game collections to "revisit" a game. reason for this is because of the hard drive limitations. and not everyone is tech saavy to replace their own hard drive... a game console i believe shouldn't require hardware upgrading.

while personally, i do not find game installations an issue, i am against requiring them as i think they will have a negative impact if requiring them becomes the norm (i digress more about it here blog entry).

phrequency

omg. i wish everyone would shut up about the stupid install. the game is rad, the install is short (it took like 3 minutes for mine) and it saves me from having to sit through loading times while i'm actually playing the game. get over it.

themissing

@Groodle: Because the reviewer didn't like it . That's how.

I_Hate_This_Place

Why is there no voice chat?

Why isn't that listed under hated?

Rectangle

I await the PSP sequel. Something about Golf on the go just does it for me.Online golf is appealing, but I think the Open Tee 2 will have online also.

jackal888

i never understood why you have to install a PS3 game to play it.

oh right. they're trying to be like PC games.(maybe?)

frank0127

Anyone else dig the music in this game?

dMek

@Mike Fahey: Pretty much every single PS3 game I've gotten lately requires an install. Wonder if that has to do with limitations of the PS3 blu-ray drive read speed.

Hot Shots Golf is a hoot though. It is a generally well-done game, though I have a hard time telling if the weather is actually affecting the game play beyond the ball drive distance.

ElReyMysterioso-PBUH

I downloaded the demo for everybody's golf from the PAL store. I assume that's a pretty accurate representation of the NA release?

LX

@Groodle:
The install process on a gaming console makes me scratch my head, and ponder how long it would take the game to boot up if I didn't install. As a 360 and PS3 owner, among other platforms, I am not impressed with the PS3 long install times, long download times, and long system update times. First I download, then install, hit PS button several times, accept user-agreement, and then, after a restart, I get to use my PS3.

I don't want to start an argument about which console is better, because they all have good and bad things about them. But, having played a few games on both the 360 and PS3, I have to give the 360 the edge when it comes to load times, especially factoring in the sometimes very long initial install. I don't have the same experience with XBLM or 360 games

coalhalo

This is an excellent game. I highly recommend it. Somewhat of some RPG elements were included in this game (so basically the longer you play the more you unlock; including improved clubs, balls, courses, stats, charachter loyalty).

Its alot of fun!

superatt

Where in the 10 Commandments of Console Gaming is it stated that "console games should be playable within minutes?" That's a "nice to have," but certainly not a "must have" feature in my book. Sounds like someone needs a paradigm shift.

McBonk

I'm a sucker for golf games, but the last Tiger Woods drove me mad. I'll throw this on my Gamefly list and give it a go. Anyone know how many courses there are?

Islandkiwi

Twelve minute install? Huge game breaking bug issues needed to be fixed by immediate, post-release patches?

Why did I give up on PC gaming again?

PapaBear434

Ooh I didn't even know it was out! I'll have to pick that up this weekend or something.

plaidman

@notalkjustrock:
Yeah i don't see the big deal.People put up with 3 or 4 cd installs and dvd installs on PC.I think it's blow out of porportion.I may have to pick this up since the Army of 2 AI may cause me to stab a hole in my 360.

enewtabie

Ah, Microsoft Golf '97.

...huh? Hotshots what?!

pylon_trooper

The game is so much fun, the mandatory install time wasn't a big deal at all. There are barely any load times because of it.

phalanges

@Groodle: Our review process asks us to simply record what we loved and what we hated about the game. I hated the install process. It's that simple. I think that console developers should be encouraged to avoid having lengthy installs become the norm.

Mike Fahey

why did it take so long between Japanese and US release?

holysocks

For once I wish there was a score for the review, so here's mine:
10. Ace!
9. Eagle
8. Birdie
7. Par
6. Bogey
5. Double Bogey
4. Out of Bounds
3. Pick up Ball/Walk/Gimme etc.
2. Beat the Caddie Into Submission
1. Kill the Whispering Commentators

Erwin

I was going to pick it up at lunch today, now I'm even more stoked.
Bummer about the long initial load time, but hey, what are you gonna do?
I beer = 12 minutes. Perfect.

mydogisdexter

Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds Review: A hole in one!

lasttimeyouaskedme

I think we're going to have to learn to accept console game installs. I know it may be rough now, but we must endure.

notalkjustrock

How is an install process a detriment?

I understand not wanting it to be required, but...it's a one time deal.

It takes more time to go to the store and buy the game than it takes to install.

Groodle

In Europe it's known as Everyboy's Golf, I've always been a fan of the series, preferring it over Tiger Woods and Links
This is a definite purchase for me.

Cruithne

@JorgieX:

Everything? 360 fanboy much?

Come back when you've played top-level titles designed solely for the PS3 and not ported there from the 360. You know, GT5P, MGS4, LBP. Or just take a look at Uncharted or R&C (no installs required) - two games which look and play better than anything I've seen and played on the 360. Then we'll see which is better - DVD-9 or BD, tri-core Xenon or seven-core Cell.

DelSource

@Groodle: i don't know if your a PC gamer or not but u sure sound like one. I personaly dont understand the tru power of the ps3 since everything the ps3 can do is done better on a 360 with out any installation. wow so much for bluray and hdd but don't forget about the all mighty cell...lmfao........!

JorgieX

@Janos2615: [www.maxconsole.net]

Same thing applies in this case.

Captain Impulse

@flashtut:

But really it's actually closer to 12 minutes for HSG.

flashtut

@Scrapple:

I uninstall and reinstall old PC games all the time. A one-time 20 minute install is a small sacrifice for improved gameplay. If it took as long as installing MS Office, then I'd really be PO'd.

flashtut

I've come to the conclusion that you suck at the game, Mike, because within one day I've managed to unlock five of the apparent six courses, and I've been playing casually between tons of homework and classes. Maybe it's just me, though.

dynendal

Fuck, Kotaku you make a good argument for the game, I must say I'm really close to paying 63 American dollars for this game. My wallet curses you.

artofwar420

@mydogisdexter: Not in college...

InsidiousTuna

Hey, that was fucked up... I was commenting on the Tron thing, next thing I knew, I was in here for some reason! Sorry, Kotakuites!

PlayerX

That was fucking amazing. Really, really innovative use of materials and cinematography. Well done!!!

PlayerX