Hot Shots Update: Advanced Shot Mode

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Now that the cat’s out of the bag, it’s only fair to start dealing out some details on the some of the new features you’ll get to experience in Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds, the reasoning behind the new title and what you can expect from the hours (hours, upon hours) of great golfing fun, both online and offline.

One of the things that the Hot Shots franchise has been known for is the way that it’s always found new way to immerse the player into the sport (be it golf or tennis). As past installments go, there’s always been a new somethingsomething that’s had fans returning for more – of course, its needless to speak of the core features (fun characters, ease of use and great courses) that constantly bring in new fans as well.

While on the topic of new features, one of HSG:OB’s new cool features is the new shot mechanism, also known as Advanced Shot Mode.

Hot Shots 1

As the image above shows, the Advanced Shot Mode (ASM) functions pretty much the same way as the traditional method. However, all the visual cues as to when to strike will rely more on you (the player) paying attention to your character’s swing motions.

Hot Shots Golf Advanced Shot Mode 1

Step 1: Like previous versions, you’ll have to adjust the direction of where you’d like to ball to go (where it eventually goes… that’s where the next steps play a crucial role).

Hot Shots Golf Advanced Shot Mode 2

Step 2: Once you press X your swing will commence. A good tip for first timers is to see the natural trajectory of the golf club… so hit X once and just watch the club as it progresses through from start to finish. One thing that you’ll notice is the club flashing twice (once yellow, once red). Try to remember these points as they’ll come in really handy!

Step 3: This is the point of no return! Start off the swing mechanism and watch the natural progression… and hitting X at any point will stop and start the downswing… this is how you set the power to your stroke, and you have to gauge the strength by the flashing points! Hitting X at the top of the swing (red flash) will set your power at 100%; hitting X at the yellow mark will put enough strength on to get to the cup (if you are close enough)… however, don’t forget to take the elements into consideration: the yellow mark is enough strength under optimal conditions (no wind, no rain, flat course, on the fairway, etc).

Hot Shots Golf Advanced Shot Mode 3

Step 4: Now you’ve done it, the club is hurling at an unmentionable speed towards the ball, and the Hot Shots Golf physics engine beings its true-to life calculations, taking account your character’s features (strength, loyalty, etc) as well as the course conditions (wind, ground condition, club, angle, etc)… it’s a digital chorus of 1’s and 0’s… but never mind that… you have to focus.

Once you set the power, you’ll see a white circle slowly contracting to the center of the ball. This is your moment of zen: you must press the X buttons at the precise moment when the ball and the contracting circle are each the same size and complete a virtual circle of life.

Hot Shots Golf Advanced Shot Mode 4

Final: The second (millisecond) you’ve strike the ball, the physics engine takes over and applies your timing into the trajectory physics. Here is where you’ll either see the ball fade into the horizon or just have it hit you on the head – – and you’ll know instantly how you did too! There are four icons that will appear at the moment of impact:

  • Tortoise: you hit X too late.
  • Rabbit: you hit X too early.
  • Skull: for whatever (personal) reason you just didn’t press X within the allotted time period aka you got pwned.
  • Music note: you hit X at the right moment and the ball is on its way to becoming one with the hole.

That in short is the new Advanced Shot Mechanism. Fans of the traditional method will be able to use that method as well, but if you want to add that extra bit of power (and challenge) ASM is the only way to go. Sure, at first you might get a bunch of animal icons and skulls thrown your way to start up your own pet cemetery… but with enough practice and dedication you’ll be a true Hot Shot champ.

I leave you now with this little gem:

Hot Shots 6

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72 Comments

  • I have to agree, the boxcover was… pretty sad. I understand this is a push to make it more appealing for the west… but this is not the way to go. The whole vibe of the game is nowhere to be found on this cover :/

  • Please for the love of all that is righteous in the gaming world, change the boxcover and keep the original. I’ll give you my sister.

  • NETWORK PARA MEXICO

  • The boxart isn’t that bad, it could be worse.

  • @ anyone

    Is the demo still available on the Japan store? I looked but can’t seem to find it.

  • Will we be able to choose Japanese voices in the US version?

    Also, I hope that box art is some kind of joke.

  • I don’t like the cover, except they change the name to “Pimp’s shot golf”, it should have the boy or the girl that were playable on the JP demo instead.

  • Come on Sony, just use the Japanese or European boxart.

  • I’m starting to agree with others after looking at the boxart again.

  • $60 for this? There’d better be a ton of courses for that kind of outlay. Cheap add-ons, too.

  • best betting game ever

  • There are several problems with the box art. The obese black guy in the back looks like he’s wearing a torn up version of the American flag. Not only that, but when the flag is properly displayed, the blue shield should be in the upper left corner as viewed from the front. The fat old white guy isn’t too bad (except that it’s another pot shot at “fat” Americans). The girl looks like some biker chick that comes from Britney Spears trailer park. And finally, the guy hitting the ball looks like a sleazier version of Jim Rome.

    It must be a joke.

  • @62 Well, to be fair, the majority of Americans ARE fat (ie 50%+ of the US population). Still, I must echo the sentiment that the boxart really should be changed. Having that abomination in my collection would be most disheartening.

    Otherwise, I’m really looking forward to the title. Have been for awhile now.

  • I don’t think I’ve seen such a harmonious consensus on these boards…ever!
    Seems like everyone agrees on two things:
    – HotShotsGolf is an awesome series
    – this game looks like a lot of fun
    – the box art sucks.

    See…? We all CAN get along! ;-)

  • Different Box Art please…

  • i argee…. why does jpn get cute box art and we get this shady looking one – -;;

  • It would be great if you could confirm the European release date for us over here.

    Please could you contact SCEE and find out?

  • Given your recent cover art for Hot Shots Golf 5 out of bounds. How are you going to effectively communicate that this title is appropriate for the entire family.

    Honestly I think it degrades societies perception of North American families and individuals who enjoy the Playstation Brand.

    Further more I think its cover art will hurt the number of units sold when compared to the European and Asia Cover Art.

    Even editorials by PS3Fanboy has called it “sleazy”. I find it heart breaking you take a wonderful title like Hot Shots Holf 5 and your purposely distroy any true potential of the game. With regards to the number of copies being sold againist the like’s of Ninitendo Wii Console, Golf Games.

  • I would have to agree with the general concensis regarding this title boxart.

    Black Mage wrote:”I don’t know if it is possible this late before it releases, but please change the boxart. Feel free to grab the Japanese boxart, I just can’t stand the U.S. boxart.

    Boxart is very important for sales, and I doubt that this will increase the chance of people buying it who don’t know the series.”

  • Jeigh | February 1st, 2008 at 11:07 am

    “Well, to be fair, the majority of Americans ARE fat (ie 50%+ of the US population). Still, I must echo the sentiment that the boxart really should be changed. Having that abomination in my collection would be most disheartening.”

    As you can see Loyal Sony Playstation Owners fell in love with this title from day one.
    With out the need of individuals in the PR dept without college degree’s to tell us different.
    Its just like thoses god owful PSP commercials that once again degraded societies perception of North American families and individuals who enjoy the Playstation 3.
    Please change it back to the original artwork http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-01-49-en-70-1zgf.html

  • Swing style

    Hot shots golf could really make a impact on the golf game business if you would have the option to swing like the TIGER WOODS GAME does. Is it possible to put this in hot shots golf- out of bounds?

  • how do i find the demo on the jpn???? ive looked and cant find it at all.

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