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’s” 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.

Review Brendon Lindsey
October 10, 2009