Ready to make their debut in videogame publishing, SyNET Entertainment's very first game, Shot-Online, is prepping for a US retail release this September. Having launched last year in Korea, Japan, China and Australia, Shot-Online is the world's first 3D Massively Multiplayer Online golf game, and in its yearlong beta-like phase thus far it has managed to build a sizeable following with a community of over a million active players already playing and enjoying themselves. In large part that is because the game is currently available as a free download with no subscription fees required - instead there's a micropayment system that allows players to purchase special content by paying real cash for in-game currency.

Come next month when Shot-Online hits store shelves, however, the $29.99 price of admission will grant consumers a number of bonuses that aren't available when downloading the free version, including $20 worth of cybercash to put towards micropayments, free tournament invites and lottery tickets for premium in-game items. Fresh off some early hands-on playtime with the game's final retail build, I can safely say that SyNET has a winning debut product on their hands - it's shaping up to be a retail hole-in-one! I'll withhold final judgment on that until review time comes, but for now, follow along for my early impressions.

Shot-Online is built like any other massively multiplayer online game; after a brief, hassle-free setup process of creating a user ID and login account, then downloading the latest game updates, you choose a server to play on and create a character before jumping right into the game or going through the helpful tutorial. Character creation, unfortunately, is extremely limited, offering only six choices of default character avatars, each with individualized starting attributes, plus the ability to name your character, and that's it. While the minimal character creation is a bit of a bummer, from my experience thus far Shot-Online appears to centralize its character customization focus on the purchase of its wide selection of in-game apparel and equipment; and there's a ton of basic clothing items available right from the get go via NPC shops, so it doesn't take long to individuate your avatar from the other players.

Once logged in, it's best to head into the Square, which is basically the game's hub world, where you can meet up with others online, to chat or trade items, visit an array of NPC shops, enter tournaments, visit the training facilities (driving range, putting green, practice course, etc.), port out to a golf course, or rest on a bench to lower your player's fatigue level after a round. Where Shot-Online has seriously captured my attention so far, though, is with its RPG-style system of character progression; when playing a round of golf, either by yourself or with up to three other players at a time, you earn various amounts of experience and NG (Not Gold; the game's currency) per hole, based on how well you score. By gaining enough experience, your character levels up and earns points to put towards building up stats, which thusly makes for better play on the course by way of more accurate shots, longer distance and better ball control.

The actual golf gameplay is of a rather old-school, simulation-style, using the basic three-click method of starting a swing, setting the shot power as the swing gauge fills and stopping the gauge on its way back to determine shot accuracy. Prior to starting a shot, aim and ball spin can be adjusted to fit the situation, which is very important, since the game uses a proprietary physics engine to realistically simulate how the ball reacts to weather, temperature, wind, course terrain and the current lie. The gameplay isn't as instantly accessible as I was expecting, as learning the timing and distance control of the swing meter takes some time and practice to become proficient with; however it all becomes more and more comfortable as you continue to play and advance your character's skills.

After about a week's worth of play, Shot-Online has me hooked and satisfied; the RPG elements are rewarding and thoroughly addictive, just like any other MMO, the online community is bustling, and the core gameplay is solidly in place. The character creation is very sparse, and the graphics and audio could use some work, but the gameplay is what really counts and Shot-Online certainly presents an engaging game of online golf unlike any other I've played before. The only question that remains now is whether or not the retail release will justify itself as worthwhile when the game is already available to download for free. Right now I would say it does, but check back next month when Shot-Online officially swings into stores for my full review.

Previewed by Matt Litten for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).