Finally a challenge, but.....
If I was a newbie to TW, I'd be extremely impressed with the multitude of courses (21 in total) that have been beautifully and accurately mapped. I'd be overwhelmed with the plethora of game modes, big star names and the fact I can put create a character that not only looks like me, but it even swings a club like me, using the EA "game-face" system. The game is easy to learn and also great fun to play even on your own. And with friends, it's a good giggle!
So, if you are that newbie, and are thinking of buying this game - you won't need to read the rest of this review...just buy it, you'll thank me later!
But - this isn't my first TW game...it's my fifth, And I'm a bit peeved. Why? Well let me try and explain....
You know when you go to the supermarket to buy your favourite sandwich, only to find that they've moved it to a different aisle or have stopped selling it altogether? This is the supermarket trying to distract you into buying into new things, hoping you'll forget about your sandwich.
And it's kinda the way EA work every year on Tiger Woods. They constantly tweak about with the game, adding a few bits here, taking out a few bits there - it's like EA can't decide on what makes a decent golfing game, and frankly - it's annoying!
This year, they've brought back The Predator and The Highlands, two of the most challenging courses ever - but have taken away Wallaby Creek and Greek Isles. Why, EA? Why not just leave them in there? "Tiger Proofing" has gone in favour of more refined difficulty setting options (more about that below). Last years' player-confidence bar has been left out too (although I was never a fan of it in the first place), and they've got rid of character voices - thank God! As I never suited an American voice! In comes a new career mode called "Team Tour" whereby you have to create a group of players to challenge various teams around the world - an interesting concept, if a little too short. I don't call 10 hours of game play a "career", do you? Last years' "Time Challenge" thing was much much better!
In a way, change is good - I mean, who wants to play the same game every year right? But instead of all these modifications, EA needed a reality check...on a game is that is logic-defying in comparison to real golf.
My biggest issues with past Tiger Woods have been their lack of realism. I mean, who shoots -20 in a round, pro or otherwise? Not even Tiger Woods! But in a short length of time, you can birdie or eagle nearly every hole. Maybe you want that...to me, it doesn't feel right.
Who can control your shot by changing spin while the ball is still in the air??? If you can, then your some kind of kinetic genius and you should be part of the X-Men.
(There's been a few messages on the forums about how to make the game more challenging. An option being....don't use your spin or power boost buttons. You don't get them in real life, so why use them?)
Well this time round, I'm pleased to say that the new difficulty sliders do make a difference if you want to use them, with more empthasis of playing a round that more suits your requirements, your skills, your game! For this feature alone, EA should get a pat on the back! The Tiger Woods series have been, in the words of Darth Vadar "All too easy". Not anymore!!
To summise, if you're a seasoned campaigner of the TW series, then you'll be happy to hear that the '07 game can be a real challenge, if you want it to be. But it can also leave you a bit disappointed as some of the new features won't be everyones favourite sandwich.
If you're completely new to golf games, this could be your last chance to play TW on the Xbox. So what are you waiting for....go get it Tiger!