No Pang, No Gain- Pangya: Fantasy Golf Reviewed

The allure of a golf videogames are as irresistible as the siren’s call for me. Whether it’s the detailed simulation found in the Tiger Woods PGA series, the simplicity and charm of the Hot Shots series, or the wackiness of Ribbit King, I’ve spent countless hours on the simulated greens. While PSP owners get their yearly fix of nine-iron reproduction with Tiger’s diversion, aficionados of arcade-styled golf are given games sporadically.

Fortunately, the creators of popular PC game, Pangya, have brought their golfing creation to PSP screens. The Ntreev-developed title forgoes the internet communities of the original title, instead focusing on the creation of an engaging single-player experience. With a detailed storyline and wealth of unlockables, Fantasy Golf is a splendid diversion that works exceptionally well as a portable game.

As the title opens, we learn the sport pays homage to Pangya Island’s distant past- where evil sorcerers began drilling holes into the virgin soil. Heroes began using equipment resembling clubs and balls to remedy the impending damage. Now, the game’s diverse assortment of characters, which range from an anthropomorphic bear, a pirate, and magicians recreate the world-resuscitating sport to honor the valiant liberators. While the game’s backstory is mildly trite, dialogue between characters is agreeably succinct.

Once on the links, players utilize a three-push system to simulate their golf swing. Gamers tap the “X” button once to initiate a backswing, pressing again to set the amount of power along a horizontal meter. Finally, players must hit the button a final time to initiate the release, timing the press to allow for a straight flight. Players accustomed to the swing meter of the Hot Shots series will immediately feel at home, although Pangya’s mechanic is slightly slower, resulted in fewer wayward shots.

Once the player hones the basic shot, a number of variations await mastery. The Tomahawk, Power Curve, Cobra and Spike Shot all require additional input commands during the swing, but allow for greater control of the ball’s trajectory. As players move through the story mode’s ranks, these shots will become essential when overcoming the game’s CPU-controller opponents.

Players start off with two characters, but as they win challenges, they will unlock more of the game’s eighteen duffer roster. Each golf contest is delightfully brief, as players try to secure the most winning holes in three, five or seven round events. Exceptional shots and victories win Pang, the game’s currency, which players can use to purchase a myriad of clothing, caddy, and accessory items.

Graphically, Pangya presents an abundance of courses that range from convincing greens to fantastical, other-worldly venues. Characters are devotedly detailed and fluidly animated; each has a substantial amount of customization options allowing players to adorn a variety of statistically augmenting attire. The title’s one visual shortcoming is the game’s simplistic presentation of putting greens. Instead of a realistic graphical representation of elevations and breaks, players are presented with a grid of spots used to signify the complexities of the green.