However, what hooked me was the light RPG elements that comprise a significant portion of the single-player content in the two main modes: Challenge Mode and World Tour.
Let’s start with the World Tour, as it’s the most ridiculous part of the game (in the best way possible). In it, you control a golfer and tackle a handful of missions, complete with cutscenes and a story arc. These characters are pretty generic in appearance, but many of their plotlines are fun. For example, Mizuki is a moody teen who is convinced that dark forces have taken over his body. Jasmine is a love-obsessed girl who sets out to find her knight in shining armor. Sasha is an action star. There’s nothing here as deep as Golf Story, but it’s entertaining nonetheless.
(Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment/PCMag)
The storylines keep the game light and cheery, but you can skip them if you just want to hit the links. Clearing these missions unlocks costumes, clubs, balls, characters, caddies, and, of course, money to spend in the in-game store. The gear grants stat boosts, so you can build a balanced golfer or one that specializes in power or technical shots.
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Challenge Mode, on the other hand, is tournament golf. There, you play nine- or 18-hole tournaments until you earn enough experience to compete against a new character and progress to the next level. I especially like the more bizarre tournaments, like the Beach Tornado Open, which adds a mini tornado to every hole. Like World Tour, clearing missions unlocks money and items.
(Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment/PCMag)
Here’s where the RPG elements come into play. Each golfer has their own specialties and proficiencies, but you can use food items to grow their skills. Each meal boosts Power, Control, Impact, Spin, and Sidespin. In addition to stuffing your preferred golfer like a Tomagachi, you must mind the character’s Loyalty rank. Playing as the same character across modes boosts your loyalty rating, which unlocks special moves, including spin shots, homing shots, and character-specific special shots. I particularly like Jasmine’s special move that improves her putting ability. It’s fun to discover how to exploit the special moves to turn the tide of the game.
In addition, you build Trust with caddies by pairing them with golfers. As your Trust rating goes up, caddies unlock slots for support stickers. Those bonus items are randomly activated while you’re on a course, and they temporarily boost certain stats to give your character an advantage. These advantages include slight boosts to shot power, spin, and shot control. The longer you play with a golfer and caddie, the better they’ll be on the green. And with seven caddies and 30 golfers to choose from, you’ll have plenty of room to explore the various combinations.
Traditional online multiplayer matches and tournaments are available if you grow tired of playing the computer. They let you create lobbies to play with friends or just join a quick match versus a random opponent.
