Pangya

Panoramica

"Pangya" is an online golf game with arcade-like gameplay that allows players to compete against each other in matches and tournaments.

Caratteristiche

• One of the few truly free free-to-play MMOs
• On par with Tiger and Hot Shots
• Familiar golf controls

Review

While the cost of golf clubs and paying to tee off on a real life course keep most people from playing the sport, golf video games have long been among the most popular sports titles throughout the world. Surprisingly, very few have tried to fill the niche with a free online golf game. Want a fantasy MMORPG where you can play an orc? Pick your poison! Want an online golf game? You'€™ll probably be able to count the games you can find on one hand.

The most famous of the limited free-to-play golf games is Pangya.€ Known as 'PangYa€ in Asia, and formerly called 'Albatross 18€ in the US, it's the third most popular golf franchise in the world, behind only' Tiger Woods€ and 'Hot Shots.€ And for good reason.

That reason certainly isn't its similarity to the realistic œTiger.€ If you'€™re a golfer, but have never played an Asian-influenced MMO before Boy are you in for a surprise. 'Pangya€ is chock full of colorful characters, big sparkling eyes, magic, skimpy costumes, and all sorts of whacky, impossible locations and creations. It seems weird enough when a flying, talking paper bag guides you through a tutorial But that'€™s only the beginning.

Don'€™t let the cutesy, oddball graphics fool you, though, because ''Pangya' is a very well-built golf game. It follows the same basic gameplay anyone who has ever touched a golf game in the last decade is familiar with; you click to stop your swing at a desired power, then when the meter goes the other way you click to make your shot accurate. Old? Yes. Tried and true? Also yes.

It's important that you learn the lie of each course in 'Pangya,€ and which clubs to use, because performing well (and winning) will earn you points, which can then be used in 'Pangya€ store to buy new apparel, clubs, balls, and even another mascot, if the floating paper bag isn't doing it for ya.

In a great move, the folks behind 'Pangya€ actually made it a true free-to-play game; a dying rarity. While you can pay for coins to purchase good equipment and aesthetic changes (as well as new characters), for most of the things in-game, you can also use coins that you earn via playing. Will it be slower? Much. But, if you love the game and play it regularly, it'™s possible to make an awesome guy without ever dropping a dollar.

Let me warn you now: it'€™s hard to refrain from buying at least some small things in Pangya.€ Primarily a game about golf, the great costume designs and interaction with random players makes having cooler looking (or better) clothing just as important as the stroke play. Well, maybe not AS important – but important it will be.

It's at this point that normally someone would say something like, ™Pangya€™ is one of the best free golf MMOs available! That'€™s not true. 'Pangya€ is one of the best golf games available, and if you'€™re even a casual weekend fan of titles like Hot Shots, 'Mario Golf,€ or even Tiger Woods, you owe it to yourself to at least give 'Pangya€ a try.