Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by John Curry on 07.25.2009
Tiger Woods is back to bring you the greatest golf game since Tiger Woods 09. Wait this may actually be the same game.
Title: Tiger Woods 10
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Tiburon
Type: Sports
Players: 1-2 (Online Multiplayer & Tournaments)
Rated: E for Everyone
Golf is one of those sports that very few people will admit to actually enjoying. While those numbers are significantly higher than before the age of Tiger Woods, Woods name has increased the amount of people who privately enjoy golf. Thanks to the impeccable series Tiger Woods Golf, those of us who are ashamed for our friends to know that we enjoy golf, do not have to spend the hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase equipment and pay greens fees to stagger around a vast field of green looking for a little white ball. Tiger Woods 10 continues the tradition of showing us the most accurate and realistic form of golf all from the comfort of our living room chairs.
While much of the game is simply more of the same from Tiger Woods 10, there is no denying that what has changed only adds to the absolute amazing game that we have all grown used to. Tiger 10 combines everything golf fans want, the choice to play the serious side of golf or to play the more cartoonish small challenge styles of golf.
Graphics
The graphics are even more refined than they were in 09 particularly in terms of the courses and environments. The greens are lush, the trees sway in accordance with the weather, and fans react just as they would in person. If you look hard enough you will see the scoreboards in the back with your name and rankings. A small but commendable feat considering most modern game companies propensity to ignore small features. The character models are of the same quality at the previous models in Tiger 09. I have to be honest here; many of the gaming community who have reviewed this game have had the same thing to say in regards to the game just seeming as if it is last year’s package remodeled. The graphics do tend to agree with that statement. I am extremely hard pressed to find very many significant differences between Tiger 09 and Tiger 10. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, simply rehashing the same thing that people paid sixty dollars the previous year is a little difficult to swallow.
Gameplay
Again there really isn’t much room for improvement in terms of game play that Tiger Woods 09 needed so there really wasn’t much added to Tiger 10 to discuss. Namely the newest addition is the new Precision Putter, which is supposed to give you a more realistic and focused putter. While I do enjoy a good putter, boy was using this thing impossible. You are always off just a hair no matter what you do. I did find that once I switched back to classic putter style in the options menu the game becomes much better and much easier. The rest of the game is pretty much standard fare for Tiger Woods golf games , motion (again not completely a bad thing) you have your motion controlled swings, training modes, the mini-games, various tournament models and so on. The one addition I enjoyed other than the inclusion of Bethpage, is the ability to “play along with the pros” tourney. The online play with the pros tournament allows you to play the courses that are being played during the set time, say for instance Firestone Open in Akron, Ohio. You play the tournament just as if you were normally; your scores are then formulated into the rankings of the tournament live so you can see where you place in the tournament. I know it is a little cheesy especially considering there isn’t anything to really gain by finishing first or last in one of these tournaments, but forgive me it is addicting and gives you somewhat of an interest to turn golf on to see it playing.
Sound
Umm, this is a sport that is based on silence so grading the sound is a little complicated. When you swing your club and it hits the ball it sounds like…..you swung your club and hit the ball. It is that simple. The sounds sound like they are supposed to. The commentators are just as good as last year’s model even though I hate hearing “that is the worst putt I have ever seen” for the millionth time. Musically there really isn’t much to listen to so I would recommend you put a cd in or listen to your mp3 player. Again though, it is golf so you can’t expect much from the sound.
Fun Factor
The game is fun regardless if you enjoy golf games. It isn’t the same thing as Hot Shots golf but it is really enjoyable and easy to pick up and learn. If you want to play a good relaxing golf game that keeps you involved and actually challenges you to use your head to formulate the best approach to the green then this is definitely for you.
Lasting Appeal
This game is going to last as long as possible, at least until Tiger 11 comes along. The constant downloadable options for courses and additions will keep players coming back for more. The online tournaments are great but some gamers will be turned off immediately when they are playing against people who are shooting -70 on the first 18 holes (and it does happen). I would like to see EA step in here and control this but I know it is impossible. If you shoot 18 under and are ranked number 450 out of 450 then there is an issue here. However, the game is enjoyable and challenging and will keep you coming back for more.
The 411 In the end you can’t ask for a better golf game. Sure most of it feels like last year’s model rehashed but hell just because you watched The Godfather doesn’t mean it won’t be as good when you watch it again. The game is every penny worth of the cost but I do have to say that if you bought Tiger 09 you wouldn’t be missing anything worth noting.
Graphics
8.0
Great golfers with even better courses.
Gameplay
9.0
It's everything that golf should be.
Sound
8.0
It sounds like golf.
Lasting Appeal
10.0
You won't put this game down for a long time.
Fun Factor
9.0
If you enjoy golf there is absolutely no better game for you to play or
