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Out Of Bounds a hole in one – Metro US

Out Of Bounds a hole in one

Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Platforms: PlayStation 3

Rated: E — Everyone

Game type: Sports

Rating: **** 1/2 (out of five)

What’s the premise?

Kiss your girlfriend (or boyfriend) goodbye and settle into that comfy old easy chair — Hot Shots Golf has arrived for the PlayStation 3! Easily the most gamer-friendly golf title on the market, HSG is back with more courses, more players, hi-def graphics and, oh yes, online play so you can show the world you’re the Tiger Woods of PS3 golf.

This game is most similar to…?

Hot Shots Golf Fore

Is it suitable for younger gamers?

Mastering the swing — both in the classic mode and in the new advanced mode that forces you to watch your player carefully to deliver that perfect drive — can be very challenging, but there’s no reason that young ones, with a little patience, couldn’t enjoy this game.

One player or more?

Try tournaments of up to four golfers at home or up to 50 online. So get ready to bow before my golfing greatness! You will all bow before me! All of you!

What’s missing?

No 1080p? What the…? And where is that long-awaited option to jam a seven iron in those annoying caddies’ mouths?

The (not-so) secret to success is…?

Grip it and rip it. As mentioned earlier, the new swing mode can be tough to perfect, but you’ll have to try, as it becomes required in many tournaments. Just keep your eye on your club and you’ll figure it out in no time.

And in the end?

Without a doubt one of the best and most easily accessible sports games ever — Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds is another hole in one.

MLB 2K8

Publisher: 2K Sports

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP

Reviewed on: PlayStation 3, Wii

Rated: E — Everyone

Game type: Sports

Rating on PS3: *** (out of five)

Rating on Wii: *** 1/2

What’s the premise?

There may still be plenty of snow here north of the border, but it’s spring in Florida and baseball season is just days away. Get all of the excitement of the on-field action with MLB 2K8, the latest in this stalwart baseball franchise — packed with new ways to pitch, run and hit your way to World Series glory.

This game is most similar to…?

MLB 2K7

Is it suitable for younger gamers?

On the PS3 (and all other platforms, except Wii), if you set things up in classic mode with one-button swings and pitches kids should be fine. The learning curve is a lot tougher with the new Total Pitch Control system that requires the use of both the left and right control sticks. The same goes for Swing Stick 2.0 for hitting (although it’s only the right one for that). On Wii, this game plays a bit like Wii Sports baseball in the pitching and hitting department, so if they’ve tried that they be fine.

One player or more?

Go head-to-head at home or online.

What’s missing?

The game offers up a tutorial for the new pitching system on non-Wiis, but not a very good one. Some people may find it intuitive, while others will simply call it frustrating. It would also be nice if the bat control on Wii was a little more free, a la Wii Sports.

The (not-so) secret to success is…?

Pitching makes perfect. The batting with Swing Stick 2.0 will take a bit of time to master, however the Total Pitch Control system is something that will keep you working hard. Try not to take it too hard when you’re hammered the first few games as you work out the kinks.

And in the end?

There’re lots of good ideas in MLB 2K8 that aren’t quite as tight as they could be and the end result is a baseball experience that may leave you wanting.

Jonathan P. Kuehlein/Metro Toronto

jonathan.kuehlein@metronews.ca