As a longtime fan of the Tiger Woods series of golf games from EA Sports, I was quite disappointed with last year’s effort. You can read the review and yell at me if you’re so inclined, but I stand by the review. I took issue with what I called an “atrocious” putting system, the lack of realistic motion sensing for half and three-quarter approach shots, and really bad voice commentary from Kelly Tilghman and Sam Torrance.
Thankfully, this year’s version of Tiger is already lightyears beyond last year’s.
For starters, the putting system is outstanding. You get one putt preview (on the middle skill level, no putt preview on the advanced level) and then you make a putting motion just like you would in real life. It works… it really, really works. Approach shots work well now too — pull the club back half way, and you hit a 50% shot. Pull it back 3/4 and you hit the ball 75% — the MotionPlus add-on really takes everything to the next level this time.
Graphics and sound are about the same. There are actual people in the crowd this year, which is nice, but player models and course renderings look only slightly improved. It’s nothing jawdropping, though. We’ve also hit a nice compromise with the commentary: it’s now Kelly Tilghman and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. I’ll take it, it’s not bad at all.
Check out the above video for a look at some of the gameplay. I’ll have a full review up once I dig into everything a bit more. So far so good, though.
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Thanks for posting this video – it’s the best I’ve been able to find showing how the game actually plays. Looks fantastic. I can’t wait to pick it up!
I know nothing about golf, but to really test this, shouldn’t one (a skilled player, anyway) try to intentionally miss some shots, especially putts? That way, one could better insure that the system wasn’t just being generous and giving them the shot, such as the old neighborhood play in baseball. That is, try to have the ball just brush by the edge of the cup and so on. Or slice a drive, whatever that means (though I think I can guess). Anyway, it was just a quick warm-up review and a good one at that, but I mean this for a full review.
Sure, I’ll put that stuff in the full review. I’ve definitely hit plenty of slices and hooks and muffed a fair amount of putts.
Good suggestion, though, to include some of that in the review so everyone can see what it’s like. Thanks.
Great job Doug! I just went out and purchased this for the WII (the motion plus bundle) about an hour ago because I heard from a credible source this game had been “fixed” and is well worth the $$. After seeing your quick review I’m confident I made the right choice … can’t wait to get home and start ‘er up! Look forward to the full review.
JP
The game will be great – all Tiger Woods games are! The mobile game is also great (http://www.eamobile.com/Web/iphone-games/tiger-woods) and pretty much the best thing out there for the money.