Recently I've looking for new game that's easy kid friendly and easy to play. It's cute, it's fun, and it's E rated.
It used to be that when friends popped over we'd just pass the controllers around and play a couple rounds of Tekken or Soul Caliber. Fighter games are usually great for your casual or non gamer friends, a couple drinks and some button mashing and your all set. That and fighter games lend themselves well to company, in that the game, doesn't get in the way of people socializing. It's easy to set down and turn off.
Anyway with the advent of children who are now becoming old enough to be cognizant of what's going on, but not old enough for the content to be appropriate ; we now needed some new games.
Rock band does pretty well in this area, but there's a bit of a learning curve, and when a couple people are playing, it is hard for the rest of the people in the room to carry a conversation.
Which brings me to Hot Shots Golf, which is a bit of a stretch for me. In general I hate sports games, why not just go outside and play the sport. Also in particular, I hate golfing. It's a perfectly good way to ruin a walk in the park.
But having read some reviews, the game looked pretty accessible, and fun to play. And who can argue to Moe anime golfers.
Turns out, and I never thought I'd say this, I really like the game. I'm actually playing it for myself, not just to learn how it works.
It's not exactly pick up and play though, there is a bit of a learning curve. I'm beginning to see some of the appeal to the Wii. For a 'simple, cutesy' golf game there is lot of information on the screen. Add to that the fact you're using all the buttons on the controller, this will be a bit of a challenge for any of your non-gamer friends.
Anyway it's fun, it's cute, it's rated E, and relatively easy to play for your 'casual gamer' friends. For your non gamer friends I think the control scheme and interface is a bit complex.
I gave it an 8 out of 10. Is it that great a game? I'm not so sure, but when weighed against the requirements I had when I went out looking for it, it gets an 8.