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Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003

Score: 95%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: Headgate Studios
Media: CD/3
Players: 1 - 8
Genre: Sports


Graphics & Sound:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 offers both software and hardware accelerated 3D graphics. Few games still support software 3D, but EA Sports apparently wanted to attract not only the high end desktop computer user, but also those who have antiquated machines or laptops. And while the software generated graphics look pretty good, the hardware accelerated graphics are nothing short of stunning. Rippling water, accurate reflections, great looking and richly animated player models, and realistic looking trees all contribute to the look of the game.

Sounds are generally well done too, with great ambient sound effects, although the rock style music is only adequate, and the commentators become repetitious after a few games. These negative points don't really distract from the game's overall presentation, though, as every aspect of the production seems top notch, and it all runs very smoothly.


Gameplay:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 provides a vast selection of game types, including Career Mode, Tour Challenge, Stroke, Skins, Shootout, and many more. All are completely configurable, and can be played on 8 different professional golf courses, including St Andrews and Pebble Beach. Many golf pros are represented in the game, including Ty Tryon, Notah Begay III, and of course the infamous Tiger Woods. You can also create your own golfers, with a decent selection of body and head types available, as well as customizable clothing to choose from.

Career Mode is especially interesting, as you can use money earned from competitions and wagering to not only improve your equipment, but to also improve your golf character. This gives the game an almost RPG quality. Wagers come into play when you take your golfer to the driving range, and fellow golfers challenge you. You can bet a certain range of money, and if you win, you have more money to use for lessons, entrance fees, equipment, and otherwise advancing your golfer.

Another interesting game is Skills Competition, where you compete in 9 different contests of skill in various locations in the selected golf course. In each contest, competitors try to get either closest to the hole or furthest from the tee. The best of three shots wins the contest, with each winner taking part of the pot, and the overall winner taking the remainder of it.

LAN and Internet play are available, but Internet play is only through EA Sports Online, which is a paid service. The included Course Architect allows you to create your own courses, and Course Utilities allow you to convert courses to and from Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 format.


Difficulty:

Many swing types are included, including the excellent Trueswing, as well as various difficulty levels and many player aides. All of these settings and aides allow you to configure the program for just about any player, young or old, amateur or expert.

Some of the game options might be intimidating for those new to computer golfing, and while the game manual isn't horrible, it isn't the best either. It does a good job of introducing the game, though, and in-game tutorials and aides do help explain things a bit further.


Game Mechanics:

The user interface is excellent, with clear screens, never overly busy, and large clearly marked controls. Graphics are sharp, and the cinematics are well done, which gives the game a very focused and professional feel.

If you are a computer golfer, and you've yet to upgrade to the current year's golf game, then it is highly recommended that you pick Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003. It offers a ton of features, fantastic production values, and very stable gaming. If you are even just mildly interested in computer golfing, though, then it is highly recommended that you check this game out, as it is simply the best of its kind.


-Gordy, GameVortex Communications
AKA Gary Lucero

Minimum System Requirements:



333MHz Pentium II, 128MB RAM, DirectX 8.1 compliant video card with 4MB RAM (16MB Direct3D compliant video card for 3D support), DirectX 8.1 compliant sound card, 8x CD-ROM.
 

Test System:



Windows XP Home, 2 GHz Pentium 4, 256MB RAM, GeForce 4 Ti4200 w/64MB RAM, SoundBlaster Live! Value, 32x DVD-ROM.

Windows Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Windows Trainz

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated