Everybody's Golf 4

Everybody's Golf 4
Japanese cover art
Developer(s)Clap Hanz[a]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
SeriesEverybody's Golf
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: November 27, 2003
  • NA: August 17, 2004
  • EU: September 23, 2005
  • AU: September 29, 2005[1]
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Everybody's Golf 4[b], released as Hot Shots Golf Fore! in North America, Everybody's Golf in Europe and Everybody's Golf 2004 in Australia, is a golf video game developed by Clap Hanz and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the successor to Everybody's Golf 3 / Hot Shots Golf 3 (2001) and was succeeded by Everybody's Golf 5 / Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (2007).

Gameplay

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This game delivers more realistic physics, sharper graphics, more golfers, caddies and courses than before. Miniature golf games and online play for players with the Network Adaptor are also driving features. The developers increased the overall number of characters from 15 to 24, added more caddies (10 in all) and boosted the number of courses from six to 15. Of these 15 courses, 10 are new, while five are returning favorites from the previous game. The game also features a Tournament mode where up to 32 players can compete against each other. Cameo roles as playable characters in the North American and PAL versions are unlockable characters Ratchet (from the Ratchet & Clank series) and Jak (from the Jak and Daxter series, as he would later appear in Jak 3). Ratchet and Jak's caddies are Clank and Daxter, respectively. A Pipo Monkey (from the Ape Escape series) is an unlockable caddie in the Japanese and PAL versions, giving the PAL version the largest character roster overall.

Everybody's Golf 4 implements the "Everybody's Points" system where players earn and spend points to unlock new gear and extras. Several different modes of play are available and include Tour (full season of tournaments), Tournament (plug and play instant action mode), VS Mode (challenge golfers to unlock new characters/costumes) and Training (in game tutorial mode). In addition, there are two online play modes: Head to Head (one on one play with another player) and Real Time Tournament (real time online golf tourneys). The North American and PAL versions included online play while Japanese did not. The North American online play servers were shut down as of 30 June 2008.

One unique feature is an unlockable "Advanced Mode" that allows players to golf without the grid showing where the ball is expected to land when taking a shot or putting. This grid is typically used in golfing video games.

Reception

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The game received "favourable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four nines for a total of 36 out of 40.[6]

CiN Weekly gave it a favourable review and said: "Though hard-core golfers might not appreciate exaggerated plaid pants on cartoon characters and sarcastic golfers, pretty much everyone else will get into the game's taunting, tricks and big hit effects and exaggerated character personalities".[15] Playboy gave it 89% and said that the game "successfully balances accessibility and depth, and manages to add a host of new features while staying true to what's made this franchise so popular. It's a highly recommended pick for PS2 owners looking for a little more fun on the fairway".[16] However, Maxim gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five and said that "even if you lack broadband, the bizarre characters and 13 arcade-style courses to choose from will keep you giddier than Carl Spackler on a gofer [sic] hunt".[17]

Notes

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  1. ^ Additional work by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.[2]
  2. ^ Japanese: みんなのGOLF 4, Hepburn: Minna no Gorufu 4

References

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  1. ^ Keller, Matt (September 26, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 26/09/05". PALGN. Archived from the original on December 10, 2005. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  2. ^ "JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 2005年～2003年" [List of Japan Studio works 2005–2003] (in Japanese). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Hot Shots Golf Fore! for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  4. ^ EGM staff (October 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore!". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 183. Ziff Davis. p. 108.
  5. ^ Reed, Kristan (September 23, 2005). "Everybody's Golf (PlayStation 2)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "みんなのGOLF 4". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 781. Enterbrain. December 4, 2003.
  7. ^ "Hot Shots Golf Fore!". Game Informer. No. 137. GameStop. September 2004. p. 108.
  8. ^ Four-Eyed Dragon (September 24, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore! Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 11, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  9. ^ Silverman, Ben (August 31, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore! Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  10. ^ Davis, Ryan (August 25, 2004). "Hot Shots Fore! Review [date mislabeled as "August 30, 2004"]". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  11. ^ Padilla, Raymond (August 18, 2004). "GameSpy: Hot Shots Golf Fore!". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 29, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  12. ^ David, Mike (August 30, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore! - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Lewis, Ed (August 16, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore!". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Hot Shots Golf Fore!". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 85. Ziff Davis. October 2004. p. 98.
  15. ^ a b Hruschak, PJ (September 15, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore!". CiN Weekly. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on October 12, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Saltzman, Marc (August 11, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf: Fore!". Playboy. Playboy Enterprises. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  17. ^ Kelly, Seth (August 17, 2004). "Hot Shots Golf Fore!". Maxim. Biglari Holdings. Archived from the original on August 13, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
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