Shot-Online

By Flasherman
November 15, 2006 14:34 PM PST
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SyNet's Shot-Online puts a little backspin on the formulaic and somewhat uninspired (sorry, Tiger) genre of golf simulators by tethering it to a shrewd business sense and massively-multi-player functionality. Yes, you read that right, Shot-Online is a MMORPG Golf-Simulator. Role-playing a golfer: a concept so dull that it's actually a novel approach.

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PROTIP: While putting, remember that 50% is roughly 10 yards of distance

Perhaps one of the most progressive games of the last five years, Shot-Online successfully pitches its way out of the bunkers of piracy and micro-transactions by offering a quality game completely free for download and avoiding monthly charges with extra pay features and memberships. To generate revenue, Shot-Online uses a points system similar to Xbox Live or Nintendo's Virtual Console where players can customize their characters with clubs, golf balls and a bevy of other stylish accessories. Best of all, the pay services are completely voluntary. By no means are players coerced or extorted into buying over-powered items just to stay competitive, as what happened with Korean MMO, Gunbound.

Work Smarter Not Harder

The beauty of Shot-Online is its simplicity and foresight. To widen its player base, Shot-Online offers intuitive design and easy to manipulate controls with an aesthetic quality that invokes The Sims and plays like a streamlined version of Links.

For instance, players employ the usual three click scheme of backswing, downswing and follow-through, adjusting for wind and precipitation. The Town Square is a small lobby area where you can approach different vendors for purchases, repairs, tournaments and tutorials. The round list is easy to navigate and joining or creating games takes only a few clicks. Shot-Online also features friend lists, guild functionality and online leader boards.

PROTIP: When chipping onto the green, give the ball a little backspin in order to reduce rolling back off into the rough.

The setup process is simple enough; you can download the client via the internet or purchase a retail version replete with CDs, manual, box art and a $20 cyber cash coupon good for 2 million NG (in-game currency), which is more than enough to get you started with some better clubs and accessories.

Next, typical to any MMORPG, you create a character. Shot-Online's character creator is somewhat sparse with only six basic models to choose from with varying starting stats. For every level you acquire you receive two points to spend in any of four stats: power, impact, stamina and skill. There isn't much to customize at first because clothing and accessories, some of which offer stat bonuses similar to armor in WoW, can be bought later on with NG.

However, nearly all accessories have a strict level requirement and even the highest level clubs and balls only add one or two points to any stat. Your primary stat booster is simply playing the game and leveling up. Also, every action in Shot-Online has the potential for a bonus. You can win NG and experience for accurate shots or out driving your previous best. This translates to faster NG and experience since your increasing stats will aid your improving golf game, resulting in more bonuses for better shots and scores and thereby reversing the typical uphill level grind.