Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2

I'm probably not the only one who hasn't dabbled in Hot Shots Golf, because even though it's adorable, it's still golf.

Open Tee 2 may not be the best place to start your Hot Shots odyssey, but it takes the easy base mechanics and deeper golfer strategy of previous installments and adds a 16 player Wi-Fi tournament mode. Of course, you can also look forward to teeing off with a baguette and wearing nothing but a Speedo.

Triple X Boogie

Swinging involves three presses of the X button: one to start, one to set the power, and one to determine the sweetness of your impact. The last one is most important since if you hit too early or late, you'll slice it and probably end up in the bunker. Easy Shot mode automatically does the last hit for you, albeit imperfectly.

One you master the basics (or if you never do, there is always Easy mode which lowers the winning scores needed to beat AI opponents), there are a variety of fancily timed moves you can pull off by pressing directional arrows to affect spins. You can also experiment with super powered shots and different equipment-and you definitely have lots of time to experiment since the 12 courses are doled out pretty slowly.

Playing Dress Up

Half of the point of these games seems to be the outlandish costumes. Most of your time goes towards unlocking cards that not only open the different customization options (over three hundred, from fat rolls to vintage automobiles), but also boost different stat attributes. Acquiring the requisite number of cards for your tier makes available a special vs. match where instead of playing for cards, you win a new character. By sticking with your favorite character, their loyalty meter fills, unlocking features like a second accessory slot.

Mini and Multi

Besides the main Challenge mode, Open Tee 2 features a rather unhelpful training mode, a menu to practice your favorite course, a hole-in-one affair with nine holes of three holes each (if that makes any sense), and an upgraded multiplayer experience. The minigame might be a decent diversion, but it makes more sense to jump into a local (up to eight) or online (16) tournament match.

Ultimately, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 is still going to appeal to people who like golf games. To get the most out of it, you really should know the difference between a PW and a 7I. This is a not a casual gaming romp down the fairway, but hitting that eagle feels pretty good, once you know what that means.

PROS: Still one of the most fun golf series out there, tons of character customization, new online tournament mode for up to 16
CONS: Not enough structured in-game tutorial