Another year, another round of golf with Tiger Woods, but while the annual changes have been kept to a minimum since the pro sensation first hopped on board, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still one of the best games amid Electronic Arts’ near-invincible arsenal of sports titles. The 2007 version of the game has actually available for other consoles for quite some time now, but with its recent release on the Nintendo Wii, the world of virtual golf has never looked so promising.
It’s actually been a while since I last sat down to enjoy a round of video golf, and the first thing I noticed when playing the new “PGA Tour” is that the learning curve has increased dramatically. You really need to know the game if you’re going to survive even the simplest of tournaments. While the Tiger Challenge has always taken pride in the fact that it’s a place to play the game and hone your skills, even that has become a bit difficult. You now have to learn how to hit fade and draw shots, as well as high and low arcs, if you’re going to come out on top on the tour. That was hard enough on the Xbox 360, but doing so on the Wii proves to be an even greater challenge. That is, unless you’re a seasoned pro looking for a little practice during the winter season.
Curiously, those four shots are being advertised as new additions to the game, even though players have been able to implement them for quite a few years. Other new bells and whistles include a snazzy practice field with mini-games, and an updated Game Face option, which allows you to create your own custom golfer. That feature was so amazing on the true next-gen versions of the game, it’s a shame to see them replaced. The visuals on the Wii are obviously quite substandard in comparison, with fugly character models that fans of the Big N will, unfortunately, have to grow accustomed to. Sorry, folks. You can’t have your motion-sensing cake and eat it too. Of course, none of this really matters if you don’t have the time to devote to playing “Tiger Woods PGA Tour,” because you still can’t save midway through matches. Seriously, though. How can something purportedly be next-gen and not offer such an obvious feature? EA, you’ve been officially warned.
Despite all of these glaring issues, the “Tiger Woods” franchise continues to impress as the most intuitive golfing game on the market, and the Wii version is undoubtedly the best of the bunch, too. It may not be quite as accurate as you would have hoped, the graphics are certainly second-rate, and it doesn’t boast an online multiplayer mode, but it will get you off your ass and provide the exercise that every hardcore gamer so desperately needs. Those looking to goof around on the links would be better off sticking to the cartoony world of “Wii Sports.” This is real golf. At least, as close as you’ll get while remaining in the comfort of your own home.
3.5/5 Stars
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Category: Sports
Available for: Nintendo Wii
