Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational PS Vita

Innovation? Bah! Evolution? Who needs it? Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational arrives alongside the launch of the Vita, and aside from a few cursory touch features, it's the same basic experience as its many predecessors. Even with the lack of change, the pastoral greens of World Invitational can suck away hours of your life before you realize it. There's nothing quite like Hot Shots Golf, and it's easy to get lost in the enticing rhythm of your tap-tap-tap rise to greatness. Smooth accessibility opens the door to golfing novices, while the later courses should challenge even the chip-shot savants, and if you crave even more competition, an in-depth online mode lets you strut around like you own the joint. World Invitational is another rendition of the same old song, but with a beat this catchy, you'll be humming along all day.

Striking the ball in World Invitational bears little resemblance to the real sport. Instead of flicking the stick to mirror your club's movement, you simply tap the button a few times to determine the power and accuracy of your approach. It's a pain-free system that doesn't make any pretenses toward realism, yet doesn't skimp on the small details. All of the tangential elements of real golf are realized here, so you still have to contend with swirling winds, sloping greens, torrential rains, and other variables to ensure your head stays in the game. Hitting the directional pad in concurrence with your button taps lets you add a hook, slice, or backspin to avoid hazards, and putting everything together takes time and practice.

The beauty of these mechanics is apparent when you pull off a miraculous shot using all of the tools at your disposal. At the forefront of this appeal are the many audio and visual cues that help you feel empowered whenever you hit a real dinger. When you fill up the power gauge and land your cursor smack-dab in the middle of the accuracy bar, your character whoops with joy. A colored tail extends from the zooming ball, and you're treated to the rainbow-colored font extolling your "Nice Shot!" From there, dramatic camera angles let you watch the flight of your ball in style. None of these different pieces are especially unique, but the combination elicits a strong emotional response that urges you to continue playing.

Grip it and rip it.

World Invitational overflows with intangible rewards, but there are also oodles of tangible prizes to keep you striving for lower scores. Good shots and high placement in tournaments give you points to spend in the golf shop, and there are enough worthwhile unlockables to keep you engaged for dozens of hours. New characters along with clubs and balls with unique attributes are the showcase offerings, and there are plenty of treats that go beyond these staples. The most interesting of these are new options in how your swing is controlled. The two most easily digestible varieties are available from the get-go, but if you want to move past the simple curved meter, you're free to do so. There are also new outfits to unlock for those who want to dress their favorite characters up in a garish (or snazzy) ensemble and the expected soundtrack and concept art unlocks for those who crave all that is Hot Shots.

All of these perks add plenty of reasons to keep playing, though the biggest draw is found on the courses. Things start out on the easy side in World Invitational. Cruising through the first few rounds should be a snap for anyone who has prior experience with the franchise, and even newcomers are ushered in with proper courtesy.

It's when you unlock the tougher courses that the beauty of the elegant controls is fully realized. Greens slant at chaotic angles, ensuring any shot longer than a yard or two requires careful concentration. Houses, windmills, and other structural hazards block the easiest route to the cup, though you could test your luck by trying to go over (or through) them. Abrupt cliffs and ill-placed lakes threaten to inhale your ball if you come too close, and volatile weather makes you fearful of the metal lightning rods strapped to your back. There's no doubt that World Invitational is difficult, but it stays fair, and you're usually so close to victory you can't help but retry one last time.