Pangya Tomahawk Review

Pangya Tomahawk has launched on the Korean servers on May 23rd, 2012. Other servers will follow such as Global servers on June 6th. Lots of new and interesting features has been added such as new modes, new items, revamped system, and much more.

There's so much to explain of what Tomahawk has to offer so lets begin on the review. Remember that this is a review from the Korean server only. Other servers may function differently and changes may be added to the game later on that has not been discussed on this review.

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New Interface

Once you first log-in you will notice a new and refreshing interface. It will display your main character on the left side and the remaining three characters will either be random players of the day or your own characters. You can select each character and have them perform any animations by clicking on the animation button to show a drop down list of familiar animations you've seen before. You can even have it autoplay random animations for you and you can have all four characters doing this simultaneously. There will also be a random mascot flying around just for fun. Lastly, when Nell was first introduced to the game you couldn't perform any animations before, but now you can.


There are 4 different backgrounds you can change and the jukebox has a variety of Pangya songs you can listen to as you are checking your inventory or playing Papel shop.

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Hole-in-One Mode

The biggest highlight of Pangya Tomahawk. The new tournament mode cannot be created and no one can host the room. The room is automatically opened to the public depending on the time of the day. The room is available more often during the day than at night. I suppose this is created so players can do something else besides playing this new mode all the time.


Map: Grand Zodiac
Holes: Only 1
Player Size: Up to 100 players
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Goal: Making Hole-in-Ones


Once the new mode opens up to the public, players will have 2 minutes to enter before it begins regardless if you are ready or not. If the room becomes full early, the countdown timer will be set to 10 seconds to get the game underway. Once the system thinks that more rooms should be open, another room will be created so every players will get a chance to play.


Players will be positioned in one of twelve small islands that are surrounding the center hole. This is related to the 12 zodiac signs if you like to see it that way.


Your main goal is to make Hole-in-Ones efficiently. You are competing against other players to earn points for making hole-in-ones and you will earn more points if you are on a chipping spree. Even though you will be playing the same pin for 10 minutes, the wind speed and direction will change after every successful chip-in. If you miss chipping the ball in, the new item "Air Note" that's included in this mode for free will show your previous shot data so you can adjust accordingly for your next shot.


Players may earn bonus pang bags and items selected at random such as 5x Silent Nerve Stabilizer or 5x Safe & Silent.


When 10 minutes are up, scores are tallied up to determine everyone's ranking position in the room. If the points are tied with someone else then all of them will earn the same rank. Special trophies are earned in this new mode for bragging rights.


[Please note that this explanation about the hole changing sizes is just my theory since it's not really explained clearly on the website]

There's a handicap feature that new and casual players will appreciate. When you first begin, the hole size will be determined based on your level. Lower levels will have a larger sized hole. Depending on how well you perform in a couple of rounds, the hole size will constantly change. So obviously if you are playing extremely well on this mode, then the hole size will start to get smaller until it's set on  your skill level. If you start doing poorly, the hole size may enlarge. New and casual players can still have fun and have a chance to compete against veteran players.

From my experience, I noticed my hole cup size was starting to get smaller the more I play. I was playing extremely well getting in 3~10th place. Now I'm getting an average of 30~50th place because the hole size has gotten smaller on me. I haven't played in a long time so it has become tough to quickly aim and shoot accurately for me.


You can see shots fired from other players from your tee shot area and other surrounding islands in real time.


This is how it looks if you missed chipping the ball in. It shows your previous shot result using the new "Air Notes" item. This item also works for VS and Tournament mode.

Notes
- Time Boosters, Auto-Calipers, and Air Notes will be included in this mode for free
- Statistical records will not be updated on your profile. No HiO counts, Pangya Rate, or anything else.
- You may bring items with you.
- You may quit without being penalized.
- Once you set your spin and powershot stance, it will remain like that for every shot you make unless you change it again.
- Comet balls will be used up and possibility a great way to earn bonus pangs from them.
- You will also earn experience points in this mode.

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Practice Mode Revamped

1) Course Practice
The old family mode has been removed with a single practice mode where you can actually play and earn something for your time. This plays exactly like your own personal Tournament room that you can play by yourself. Every items you use will be consumed. Records do not count though, but you will earn 1 experience points per hole completed and gain 1/3 of your pang amount. You can leave early and still receive whatever you have earned.


2) Chip-in Practice

This is Hole-in-One mode that you can play by yourself. It only requires one chip-in ticket to play up to 30 minutes. You can make adjustments to make the hole wider or smaller.


An exclusive feature in this mode is that you'll see a built-in ruler when you zoom down closer to the hole from aerial view. This ruler does not show up on the actual HiO mode.


You can continue to practice one hole countless times with different winds as you chip the ball in or switch to a different tee shot area by clicking on the button below the power bar. If you leave the button on, you will need to chip the ball in before you are moved to a new tee shot area.


You will earn all the pangs you've collected and 1 experience point per hole completed. You may leave early with no penalty and still receive pangs and exp. 

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New Items

1) Air Notes
A new passive item that is used up automatically like Pang Mastery and Auto-Calipers. It costs around the price of auto calipers and time boosters and you will receive x180 of them. This item shows all of your shot data on the hole you are on. Things like your line trajectory and where the ball exactly bounced or landed. I suppose this is great for players to know exactly how your shot was performed. To view this, you must first go to aerial view with the "0" number key.


2) Chip-in Ticket
This ticket is used to play the chip-in single player mode. Due to the event of Tomahawk's grand opening, players will receive one ticket per day in the mailbox. Once the freebie event is over, you'll have to purchase them in the shop for points. 


3) Safe & Silent
A new item added to Tiki Point Shop. Given the name, the effect sounds pretty obvious at this point. It combines the item Safety + Silent Wind into one item. Ball slope will become 0, and wind becomes 1m.

4) Card Pack Volume 3

Card pack volume 3 is now available to purchase. There are a total of 42 cards. 6 secret rares, 9 super rares, 11 rares, and 16 normal cards. What's unusual is that there are 46 slots according to the Pangya Cardbook in-game.


Pippin (SCR) - Caddie - Increases distance by +4 yards(?)
Nell (SCR) - Character - Control slot +2, Accuracy slot +1, Yards -1
Lucia (SCR) - Character - Spin slot +1, Curve slot +3
Azer (SCR) - Character - Control slot +1, Spin slot +3
Nuri (SCR) - Character - Control slot +2, Spin slot +1, Yards -1
Mingti (SCR) - Caddie - Gain an initial boost on combo gauge from the start of the game (very high)


Nell (SR) - Character - Control slot +2, Accuracy slot +1, Yards -2
Lucia (SR) - Character - Spin slot +1, Curve slot +2
Kooh (SR) - Character - Control slot +2, Power slot +1, Yards -2
Mingti (SR) - Caddie - Gain an initial boost on combo gauge from the start of the game (high)
Sporty Pippin (SR) - Caddie - Scoring an eagle increases more treasure points
Tiki (SR) - Caddie - Increase treasure point rates (high)
Dolfini (SR) - Caddie -Hit Pangya and receive 3(?) Bound Bonus Pang per each ball bounce. Maximum is 60(?) Bound Bonus. (high)
Pippin (SR) - Caddie - Increase total distance by 3(?) yards (high)
Intermediate Training (SR) - Special - Receive +25 exp instantly


Nell (R) - Character - Control slot +1
Kaz (R) - Character - Power slot +1, Spin slot +1
Azer (R) - Character - Spin slot +2
Mingti (R) - Caddie - Gain an initial boost on combo gauge from the start of the game (medium)
Pippin (R) - Caddie - Increase total distance by 2(?) yards
Elfen Ear (R) - Special - Increases Impact zone by +2 pixels for 30 minutes
Wizy's Advice (R) - Special -  Combo gauge rate increases for 2 hours (medium)
Snowball's Bag (R) - Special - Receive +1 item slot for 1 hour. Card disappears after use
White Heart (R) - Special - For one hour you will receive +20% more bonus exp at the end of the round
Black Heart (R) - Special - For one hour you will receive +20% more bonus pangs at the end of the round
Mingti's Heart (R) - Special - For two hours you will receive an additional +2 yards


Nell (N) - Character - Accuracy slot +1
Lucia (N) - Character - Curve slot +1
Kooh (N) - Character - Power slot +1
Max (N) - Character - Power slot +1
Hana (N) - Character - Curve slot +1
Mingti (N) - Caddie - Gain an initial boost on combo gauge from the start of the game (low)
Cadie (N) - Caddie - Impact zone increases by +1 pixel if winds are 7~9m.
Wiki's Magic (N) - Special - Combo gauge rate increases for 2 hours (low)
Devil's Wrath (N) - Special - Initial boost on combo gauge for 1 hour (low)
Lost Seaway (N) - Special - Receive 10% more Clear Bonus Pangs towards the end of the round.
and so forth


4) New Card Ticket
Platinum card ticket has been introduced that gives a high rate on getting a rare card than the gold card ticket

5) Zodiac Wings


The white wing guardian is a Gacha rare (or scratch rare on Pangya KR). Not only it adds +1 pixel on your impact zone, but it has two more unique abilities that makes all the other wings look outdated. There's a small chance where the ball slope will become completely flat and it can perform a new animation for you to show off. Don't worry, the wings are tucked inside so you won't feel like a peacock. There's another wing that can only be obtained from an event. You may have seen it from the trailer.

As you know, Pangya KR can sell these type of rares to other players. Unfortunately, the white wing guardian cannot be sold or traded. On the positive note, if you do win the wing you can select which characters you want it for.

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Other Features and Shoutouts

Black Papel will have an Auto-Play feature where you can let the game play for you. Once you click on the auto-play button, just click on Black Papel and you won't have to click on those Dolfini balls anymore. The only time when Black Papel will stop completely is if you win a rare item or it has played up to 100 times without winning a rare.


On VS mode, you can place a marker on the map by going to aerial view and then hold down CTRL + ALT and left click on the mouse. This is useful if you want to help people out.


New players joining in for the first time will be able to select any character they want. Every Pangya characters costs 10,000 pangs each.


You can select animations from a drop-down list instead of typing it in the chat. Nell's animations has also been added into the game that wasn't available before.

● We all know that you can start an open tournament room with a minimum of 10 players where people can join in late. That number has been reduced down to 4 players. There's no need to do a private 4 and go room.

● Necklace of good fortune effect will give players who are Rookie F ~ Junior A +2 pixels on impact zone. Then Senior E~A gives 1 pixel.

● Lucky Airknight clubs effect impact zone effect will be changed. Rookie F & E = 8 pixels. Rookie D & C = 6 pixels. Rookie B & A = 4 pixels. Beginner E & D = 2 pixels. Beginner C, B, & A = 1 pixel.

● Pangya Tomahawk will not reset your current Pangya United records.

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Final Thoughts

I find HiO mode to be extremely fun and it has potential to stay active for a long time compared to Approach Mode that has become dead in the past few years already. I find it unique that the system will automatically create rooms so it becomes less stressful to play. I think the Korean devs were worried that players would abandoned any other modes so they decided to make it where the rooms will only open at a certain time of the day. I praise them for this clever idea. The mode does give you an adrenaline rush where you are rushing as fast as you can without making too many errors at the same time.

I've watched Pangya grow from season one all the way up to this point. I don't have any MMO experience to know how long other online games last, but Pangya Tomahawk surprises me that they can keep this game going for this long, over eight years to be exact. When I think about how Pangya used to be a very challenging game before, it has been pampered with so many cash items where I don't feel like earning high records is an accomplishment anymore. The new Safe & Silent is a perfect example of this. Are they trying to make the game even easier than before? I can say Fairy Tears is just fine, I don't agree that they should release this kind of item in the game. At least this new item is available for anyone to get instead of cash so it's not too bad.

Pangya Tomahawk is the new season even though they have done away with numbers. From the newly revamped interface, added features, and new tweaks with the game's old engine, this does feel like a new season to me.

Feel free to ask me further questions that I may have not discussed on my review. I'll try to answer them all.

***Please do not copy and paste this article on forums and blog post without my permission. The article may be edited later on to correct information that won't be shown outside of the main source. Thank you***