While the RPG elements add some complexity to Pangya, it is still a very simple, pick-up-and-play game. When golfing, there is a gauge on the bottom that acts as a power meter. The farther the cursor moves to the right, the farther the ball will travel.

On the gauge, there is an accuracy bar on the left. Upon pressing the X button when the cursor goes right, the cursor will return to left in the direction of the accuracy bar. By pressing X again in the middle part of the bar, there will be an accuracy boost ensuring that the ball goes exactly where it’s supposed to go. Even small nuances, such as wind and downhill slopes, affect the travel of the ball. Thankfully, there is an indicator on how the ball will roll, making it easy to adjust accordingly.

As much as the game is fun, there are some rather strange problems with it. The multiplayer, an important part of any sports game, suffers from graphical hiccups.  Pangya isn’t the prettiest game on the handheld, but even in a two-player game, there are some awkward frame rate issues. The game supports up to eight players locally, and it will be hard to enjoy a stable game with so many people playing at once. This probably answers the question of the lack of any online functions. Simply put, the game disappoints on the multiplayer front. The long loading times don’t help much in the single player department either.

It doesn’t mean that there is a reason to stop playing Pangya. In fact, the game boasts a plethora of unlockable content that will keep players coming back for more. Characters, artwork, a music gallery and even player equipment can be unlocked throughout the course of the main game.

There is a lot of bang for your buck here. Multiplayer issues aside, Pangya: Fantasy Golf provides a lot fun on the PSP. Fans of golf games and RPGs will dig this game.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10

All in All: Take your favorite arcade golf game and sprinkle a little Final Fantasy on it, and you get a formula that actually works.