Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 Comments by Dan Whitehead

You do realize, of course, that the concept of Simultaneous Stroke Play has been available for several years now? In fact, Links 2004 had the exact same feature...on the last generation Xbox...also on Xbox Live. It's just one more reason that Links 2004 was (and is) perhaps the greatest golf game in console history.

(Oh yes. Doesn't the Links method of dealing with custom soundtracks work far better than Tiger's efforts? To clarify, one can either listen to entire songs in Links or the beginnings of songs in Tiger (music switches each hole.)

Hail Links 2004. Bemoan the fact that we'll never see a sequel.

Hmmm - this could possibly be my first 'serious golf game' purchase.

Same...

Just need the Wii review now though.

Links 2004 was waay before its time, and is a great game. But Woods 09 is probably better. Took em 5 years, but I believe atlast they surpassed the behemoth Links2004

As far as Xbox 360 ( and PS3) goes Tiger07 was way much better than Tiger08. Now it feels that they've finished features that last year were half baked.

There's still no rain, and no change in time of day. No early morning play or sun in your eyes in late afternoon.

What I'd love to see on next year's edition is Everybody's Golf like 50 player Tournament system and/or weekly tournament where you have to play all 4 rounds to finish.

There's always room for improvement, but this year's version is the best so far, replacing 07 from the podium.

I've played Tiger09 since it was out last Thursday and hate to be at work now instead of playing it! ;-)

Actua Golf FTW!

Seriously though looking forward to getting this as I enjoyed the demo and not purchased a golf game for years.

Pah, nothing comes close to Leaderboard on speccy!

Also new for those using the stick system is Real Time Swing Feedback, another idea so simple it's amazing it's not been used before.

It has been, in Outlaw Golf...

Got the Gamecube version of it, and it showed you your exact swing over the little ball at the bottom.

Agreed! Hail Links 04, the greatest after frantic-gaming session chill out game.

I'm quite surprised Eurogamer overlooked the simultaneous gameplay feature comparison calling it "quietly revolutionary" here. However Tiger has refined the golf formula down to a tee now (boom boom). With this 'revolutionary' feature it's almost becoming the complete package for me.

(Oh yes. Doesn't the Links method of dealing with custom soundtracks work far better than Tiger's efforts? To clarify, one can either listen to entire songs in Links or the beginnings of songs in Tiger (music switches each hole.)

Unless I'm very much mistaken the game gets no control of the music. Apart from muting it during the logo bit, the game should never have any impact. Assuming you're running it from the guide and not in-game, at least.

EG obviously forgot to mention that the Putting animation still sucks golf balls whereby a 2 inch putt looks the same as when your taking a 40 ft putt. O_o

I had a quick play of the demo and it seemed so wooden compared to any iteration I played on the PS2. I know it's a different kettle of fish but I loaded up Everybody's Golf straight after and played happily for a solid two hours.

Please, please play the TW2009 demo before giving EA all your money, and you'll see what I mean. I really think 9 out of 10 is a mental score for such a stiff golf game.

I can't agree more with this review. The PS3 version (which I have) thoroughly deserves the 9/10.

Carlo, you're late for work at the EA office. Hurry up now!

Thankfully these interruptions don't impact the Xbox Live multiplayer modes, which were never less than smooth and reliable.

Eh? Were they?

Any chance of a Wii review for this game, gents?

Anyone else feel cheated by them putting you in the exact same position as 08 for some of the challenges. The course may be the same but why am I starting a level stuck behind the same tree I was stuck behind last year???

"but to say they're just churning out the same game every year is grossly unfair."

I completely agree.

At the same time I think it's a bit of a disgrace that this game, as far as I know, isn't getting a pc release. Golf games like this are quintessential pc fare.

Played this online a bit yesterday, and in single player career mode, and it was good fun. Can't quite bring myself to agree with the "serious simulation" label, though. A levelled up character makes things so trivially easy that it almost (but thankfully not entirely) robs the game of its fun. Not really much of a simulation if my high putting skill practically sucks the ball into the hole. Also: two of us got a Hole in One during our play yesterday. This seems statistically quite unlikely in a so-called simulation. ;)

Plenty of modes, though, and occasionally it looks quite nice (mainly on the new courses) but sadly all too often looks like hammered arse. I played the '07 release, and skipped '08, so some of the newer inclusions are fresh for me. The GamerNet challenges are very well done, and can turn a dour round into something altogether more exciting.

9 seems a bit generous, but it's just a number at the end of the day. I'm not unhappy with my purchase. :)

This genre cross-pollination is getting out of hand. Hats of +30 driving distance? A mode to "tune" your clubs? In Tiger Woods 2010 you'll be able to add tribal decals and wings to them, too, no doubt.

Add Everbody's Golf to the list of games who did this "quietely revolutionary" simultaneous shot system to golf games before this one lifted it.

Played this all weekend, after Tiger 08 this game has revitalised my love for it, absolutely brilliant

Why would you review this version first? The Wii version is the lead format, and surely should be the first one up? Apparently the swing mechanic is excellent....

Does the PS3 version support SIXAXIS? Would be nice to have decent graphics and the choice of control schemes.

it is a good game no doubt, but a 9 is very generous - and only really a relevant score if you haven't played any of the previous versions - take a couple of points off if you have, ie it's a solid game but doesn't really offer anything new

Links 04 was such a great game. I think the part I liked most was the fact that the simple act of swinging to hit the ball straight was difficult enough to make the game interesting. In TW, how straight or long you hit is more down to some stupid powerup you've got or something. Swinging the club rarely goes wrong in TW.

Brilliant game, picked it up at the airport yesterday. Haven't had lots of time to get into it yet (late, delayed flight :P) but looking forward to getting stuck in with some multiplayer - if anyone's interested, let me know (360)!

Got the wii version on friday and enjoying it very much. Control is like an advanced version of wii sports golf and works better than you'd expect, the only issues I have are that it seems to use the IR sensor to tell when you're pointing the remote down which can result in you having to hold it lower than feels natural and I have real trouble getting under 70% power on any shot but this can be addressed with proper club and shot selection.

It's definately not one for gamers who take pride in the arse groove they've cultivated on the couch however as it's nigh on impossible to work sitting down.

I've always enjoyed the Tiger Woods games but they are still a bit too arcadey. The joy of Everybdy's Golf is the fear that any shot can go horribly wrong. Drives rarely end up in the rough in TW and putting feels a bit too mehanical. In EG you find yoursefl incorporating all of the skills of golf much more regularly due to not making every hit a perfect one. And putting feels a lot mroe natural. I find myself punching the air a lot more with EG after a succesful putt and rarely get this feeling with TW. Tiger Woods is still too easy but consequently this makes it a much more relaxing experience. It all depends what you want. Less challenge but more chilling (TW.) Or more challenge but a greater chance of some anger in the rough (EG.)

It's a good game no doubt, but it's too easy especially once you've improved your stats. An below par score should be considered a good round, whereas in TW not even a 9-under is something to shout too loudly about.

I'm also not convinced by the dynamic skills as they either make the game too easy or hard depending on how good you are. If i'm quite good at putting I don't really understand the logic of the game deciding that it needs to make it even easier for me. Actually i'd prefer it if golf games did away with all forms of character stats and leave it down to the players individual skill, though that's just my opinion.

I'm enjoying it a lot still, and the Gamernet challenges (when they're working) add another layer of interest.

"Can't see Tiger Woods for the tees" hahaha! Pat on the back.

For all you after the Wii review, I've got this on Wii. It's shit.

Well, the game's good but as with most Wii games it's been ruined by a less than reliable input system. And it's literally impossible to put curve to the left (Draw/Fade?) on the ball because you just can't hold the controller right.

Truly, it's shit. Ditch the gimmiky control system and buy the 360/PS3 version instead.

Tiger Woods.

Crap place for a picnic.

Hmm. Played the demo on the weekend, but will not be picking it up. The commentary, the player dummy spits / smug smiles depending on your shot - the game itself seemed OK but the atmosphere was just all wrong for me.

Guess I will stick with Mario Golf.

Picked this up Sunday.... have to say Everybody's Golf is better, shame most people will never find out. (especially online the tournaments were amazing!)

I think I might get this when I have a chance.

Wii version is great, played it for ages.

I got 08 to solely play with my buddies in my house. The main problem with this is your created characters' stats do not improve in the multi-player mode and you can't play the tournament mode in two players. This imo is a massive problem. Also two of us can't play a round online on the one console. Has the new one fixed any of these problems? If not, no buy.

I've always found that once you get used to them a bit the Tiger Woods games are unfortunately too easy. I agree earlier about once stats are upgraded too it's even more so the case.

A shame as the game itself has always been pretty solid.

"I got 08 to solely play with my buddies in my house. The main problem with this is your created characters' stats do not improve in the multi-player mode and you can't play the tournament mode in two players."

I have the exact same problem. I don't mind too much if the multiplayer tournament mode is missing providing that your stats improve in multiplayer mode. Otherwise, I'm not sure what EA expect you to do... all sit and watch each other play single player?

"Simultaneous Stroke Play, allows four players to tackle the same course at the same time, It's a brilliant idea, quietly revolutionary in the way it takes a concept familiar from rally games and applies it to the rigid world of golf"

Something Links on the Xbox did 5 years ago.

"Also new for those using the stick system is Real Time Swing Feedback, another idea so simple it's amazing it's not been used before"

Again Links 5 years ago

agree with jamie ^ this is more like the true sequel to Links 2004 ...... remember you can reduce the sweet spot of certain clubs to make it more of a challange for the pize of more power, simple idea and it works really well !!

well done EA (now thats something i thought i would never say !)

The general consensus is that the Wii version is the one to get due to the far superior control system. Will that one get 10/10 then...?

For all those clamouring for a Wii review...I got it on the Wii, and took it back the next day for the PS3 version.

The Swing Mechanic whilst better than previous versions on the Wii, just doesn't make up for the appalling PS2 style graphics.

I'd take being able to scan a near perfect likeness of myself into the game on my PS3 over a "novelty" swing system.

I may revisit if my old man gets it on the Wii and I can play him online...but until then I'm more than happy with my PS3 purchase !

It's also far more accessible than the 08 version, which required too much leg work for the casual gamer.

Lacking a Wii review I figured I may as well get the PC version.

Erm, what the hell?

Why oh why have they changed the commentators, some stupid squeaky voice next to the most boring voice that almost sends me to sleep. Still a great game though, my only real gripe is it now to easy to hit a 400yd drive. Seriously all I need is a driver and a few wedges the rest of the clubs are just there for show!

The wii versions controls are meant to be very realistic according to gamecentral. They also gave it a very good 8/10. The ps3 controls on the demo seemed fiddly, I must try the 360 demo.

How this hogwash can get such a high mark. You barely have to do anything. Just take shot after pre-lined up shot, the only vague challenge is the putting. Useless.

@ jonsaan

In a way you are right it is very simple, but coming from someone who has played the demos but never bothered paying for a full EA (or any other) golf game in years, I reckon the score is very much deserved. I'm loving it at the moment (although it's not picking up my game face pictures!!!!!).

Great golf game IMO, go Tiger! Er, sorry I mean EA!

Snedwanlol

I think its a great game with a lot more depth than just the putting part - yes shots are pre-lined up but if you want to actually get anywhere in the game you don't use the pre-lined up ones and work out your own routes around the course.