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October 4, 2005 | 2:04 PM PST
by: Jamil Matheny
"You've dug a hole for yourself. Do you have what takes to get out of it?"
Some say that golf isn't a sport- it's just too plain, and requires little athleticism. Well, the Tiger Woods PGA Tour franchise series has proven that wrong. Ever since the franchise started, it has grown into a more accurate perspective of authentic golf. With the next-generation of consoles rolling around, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is sure to make an even bigger mark in the EA SPORTS area. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 has the potential to be a knock-out hit in the EA stable. Will is score, or are they calling a mulligan this year?
Gameplay:
For starters, golf players will love the in-depth style of the game’s layout. You can play in loads of game modes such as Rivals Mode, Battle Golf, Skills 18, or just the Traditional Game Modes. Each game mode provides a sub-directory of what you’re able to do. For instance, if you choose Traditional Game Modes under the Game Modes option, you'll get other options like Match Play, Practice, Best Ball, and other playable options. This is usually something you'll find in most games, but everything is more in-depth. With that, you'll get the music of your choice so you can jam while you're concentrating on your routine golf stances.
Once you start a game, you can play as, of course, Tiger Woods, another pro golf player, or a customized player. You will get a lot of feedback from the crowd and even from your player's own voice. This game carries a distinctive amount of vocal feedback on how good or bad you do, but we'll get back to that in the audio section of this review.
When your player steps up to the tee, it is helpful to align your position first and then check how far the tee is from the hole. This will determine on how much strength and accuracy you would need to use on your swing. It is best to keep the ball in the fair instead of the rough. Players can also use the icons such as the ball diagram down on the bottom-right side of the screen. This will help give a more accurate, precise shot.
What also helps is determining the wind pressure and positioning your character’s body. This will help earn points for a birdie, a bogey, double-bogey or putting an easy par. EA claims this game is supposed to be a bit difficult as you progress throughout each course. You'll probably find it a bit easier in the exhibition mode rather than a season and tournaments. When your opponent is someone like Tiger Woods, however, you had better up your game. Many golf games don't provide as many options and precise measurements as much as Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 does. After all, it is one of the best-selling games in its genre.
Graphics:
Tiger Woods and the rest of the PGA players have probably never looked so good, even on an Xbox. Sure, the series shows high in-game detail, but this one is a real treat. EA is unstoppable with their in-game graphics. Just like the in-game "motion capture shot," when you hit the ball hard off the tee or putt it, it will show the same shot in a movie-like sequence. Another thing that's fun to watch is when you create a player on Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06- it's more like an in-depth plastic surgery. There are so many details that you can add on to your customize player. You can make your player look elderly or young, from adding on a mohawk to a crew cut with wrinkles and a few moles.
The best thing that we've learned about this title was the beautiful environments actually look like the real deal. Even the greenery may seem amazing and may confuse your mind by deciding what looks real and what's three-dimensional. If you look closely at the game, you'll notice that the trees will sway according to the wind pressure so you'll know which direction to hit the ball. This is a great point to pick up on when you have to just slightly smack the ball for a birdie. The resolution could've been a bit better, as there are a few signs on the course that are illegible. For this game, it is best to have a high-definition television to get the full effect of this high-quality title.
Audio:
With the game's high-quality scenery, you would expect for some nice ambient audio to fit in. The music will get quite catchy on the introduction screen if you listen to it for a while. Then there’s the voice acting. Let's say you're going for a big shot, like a nice birdie to win. When you're getting ready to swing or warming up, your player or announcer will start talking or yelling to mess you up a bit. The game of golf is supposed to be enjoyed as a quiet, peaceful game that doesn't involve a bunch of noise. All in all, that's the only thing that can get basically get on your nerves.
Tiger Woods... going for the birdie!
Overall:
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is one great golf game you could pick up for a person that wants a serious simulation of golf without having to get off their couch. Tiger Woods is known as one of the top icons in the game of golf, and his game can be used to teach novice, immediate and even advanced players a thing or two about the sport. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 had our eyes wide with awe and we're pretty sure you'll react the same way. Even if you don't appreciate quiet, pink-collared-shirt-wearing golf gaming, this title can probably change your mind.
Some say that golf isn't a sport- it's just too plain, and requires little athleticism. Well, the Tiger Woods PGA Tour franchise series has proven that wrong. Ever since the franchise started, it has grown into a more accurate perspective of authentic golf. With the next-generation of consoles rolling around, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is sure to make an even bigger mark in the EA SPORTS area. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 has the potential to be a knock-out hit in the EA stable. Will is score, or are they calling a mulligan this year?
Gameplay:
For starters, golf players will love the in-depth style of the game’s layout. You can play in loads of game modes such as Rivals Mode, Battle Golf, Skills 18, or just the Traditional Game Modes. Each game mode provides a sub-directory of what you’re able to do. For instance, if you choose Traditional Game Modes under the Game Modes option, you'll get other options like Match Play, Practice, Best Ball, and other playable options. This is usually something you'll find in most games, but everything is more in-depth. With that, you'll get the music of your choice so you can jam while you're concentrating on your routine golf stances.
Once you start a game, you can play as, of course, Tiger Woods, another pro golf player, or a customized player. You will get a lot of feedback from the crowd and even from your player's own voice. This game carries a distinctive amount of vocal feedback on how good or bad you do, but we'll get back to that in the audio section of this review.
When your player steps up to the tee, it is helpful to align your position first and then check how far the tee is from the hole. This will determine on how much strength and accuracy you would need to use on your swing. It is best to keep the ball in the fair instead of the rough. Players can also use the icons such as the ball diagram down on the bottom-right side of the screen. This will help give a more accurate, precise shot.
What also helps is determining the wind pressure and positioning your character’s body. This will help earn points for a birdie, a bogey, double-bogey or putting an easy par. EA claims this game is supposed to be a bit difficult as you progress throughout each course. You'll probably find it a bit easier in the exhibition mode rather than a season and tournaments. When your opponent is someone like Tiger Woods, however, you had better up your game. Many golf games don't provide as many options and precise measurements as much as Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 does. After all, it is one of the best-selling games in its genre.
Graphics:
Tiger Woods and the rest of the PGA players have probably never looked so good, even on an Xbox. Sure, the series shows high in-game detail, but this one is a real treat. EA is unstoppable with their in-game graphics. Just like the in-game "motion capture shot," when you hit the ball hard off the tee or putt it, it will show the same shot in a movie-like sequence. Another thing that's fun to watch is when you create a player on Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06- it's more like an in-depth plastic surgery. There are so many details that you can add on to your customize player. You can make your player look elderly or young, from adding on a mohawk to a crew cut with wrinkles and a few moles.
The best thing that we've learned about this title was the beautiful environments actually look like the real deal. Even the greenery may seem amazing and may confuse your mind by deciding what looks real and what's three-dimensional. If you look closely at the game, you'll notice that the trees will sway according to the wind pressure so you'll know which direction to hit the ball. This is a great point to pick up on when you have to just slightly smack the ball for a birdie. The resolution could've been a bit better, as there are a few signs on the course that are illegible. For this game, it is best to have a high-definition television to get the full effect of this high-quality title.
Audio:
With the game's high-quality scenery, you would expect for some nice ambient audio to fit in. The music will get quite catchy on the introduction screen if you listen to it for a while. Then there’s the voice acting. Let's say you're going for a big shot, like a nice birdie to win. When you're getting ready to swing or warming up, your player or announcer will start talking or yelling to mess you up a bit. The game of golf is supposed to be enjoyed as a quiet, peaceful game that doesn't involve a bunch of noise. All in all, that's the only thing that can get basically get on your nerves.
Tiger Woods... going for the birdie!
Overall:
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is one great golf game you could pick up for a person that wants a serious simulation of golf without having to get off their couch. Tiger Woods is known as one of the top icons in the game of golf, and his game can be used to teach novice, immediate and even advanced players a thing or two about the sport. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 had our eyes wide with awe and we're pretty sure you'll react the same way. Even if you don't appreciate quiet, pink-collared-shirt-wearing golf gaming, this title can probably change your mind.
February 8, 2010
