2008 Woodie Awards
"Tiger Woods 2006" Par For The Course!
EA Sports' 2006 version of Tiger's video game yields solid gameplay for fans of the brand.
John Ferreira
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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"Tiger Woods 2006" from EA Sports is a successful continuation of the flourishing golf franchise, but it will hardly set the heart of those not familiar with golf or the franchise aflutter.
I must admit I only started playing this game because a friend who loves golf nudged me to it. This game is not action packed like other EA Sports games and is far more cerebral than "Outlaw Golf." The only eye-candy in this game is hitting a three hundred tee shot, or Vijay Singh, whichever is your preference.
The 2006 version of the game has some new features that will have fans of the series pumped up. There is an all new "Rivals Mode" in which you create your own golfer and attempt to become the world's greatest golfer. This feature is interesting and is the best way to learn how to play the game.
If you are a Tiger Woods veteran, this mode might be like child's play, for the beginner is an adequate challenge. Despite helping the player to learn the tricks, Rivals mode can be annoying, for there are stupid characters like a Shakespearean actor who vocalizes jewels like "Oh fairway, oh fairway, where for art thou fairway?" What they call a "trust fund brat" actually looks more like Mr. Fagin from "Oliver Twist" than a wealthy man.
Another childish feature of the game which I found unnecessary is that you go back in time with Tiger Woods. It felt too much like a PBS Saturday morning cartoon for my taste. Tiger goes back in time and you follow him, playing with the old time equipment and frequenting an old style clubhouse. It is only after you have defeated all the challenges from other rivals that you can move on to next time period, meaning that it can take you months of playing time (if you are normal) to get to the modern era.
For the first time in the series, both analog sticks control each shot from tee to green. The left analog stick controls your swing, and the right analog dictates ball trajectory and putt strength. Now this is where the game gets too complex for non-golfer fans (which happens to be most of the world.) If you are a golf fan you'll know which hole needs to have a different swing, if you're not you'll just want to hit the ball as hard as you can and hope for the best.
The other changes the game has made are mostly peripheral; there have been new golfers added, and you can call your shots for money. The PGA season tour is still enacted and is the bread and butter of this game. The only problem is that you have to go through the Rivals Mode to increase your skill sufficiently to play with the big boys. There is also the real time calendar events that can be humorous, but are too difficult most of the time.
"Tiger Woods 2006" is a different type of game; it is for golf fans and video game lovers, but those who do not know golf will be left out.
I must admit I only started playing this game because a friend who loves golf nudged me to it. This game is not action packed like other EA Sports games and is far more cerebral than "Outlaw Golf." The only eye-candy in this game is hitting a three hundred tee shot, or Vijay Singh, whichever is your preference.
The 2006 version of the game has some new features that will have fans of the series pumped up. There is an all new "Rivals Mode" in which you create your own golfer and attempt to become the world's greatest golfer. This feature is interesting and is the best way to learn how to play the game.
If you are a Tiger Woods veteran, this mode might be like child's play, for the beginner is an adequate challenge. Despite helping the player to learn the tricks, Rivals mode can be annoying, for there are stupid characters like a Shakespearean actor who vocalizes jewels like "Oh fairway, oh fairway, where for art thou fairway?" What they call a "trust fund brat" actually looks more like Mr. Fagin from "Oliver Twist" than a wealthy man.
Another childish feature of the game which I found unnecessary is that you go back in time with Tiger Woods. It felt too much like a PBS Saturday morning cartoon for my taste. Tiger goes back in time and you follow him, playing with the old time equipment and frequenting an old style clubhouse. It is only after you have defeated all the challenges from other rivals that you can move on to next time period, meaning that it can take you months of playing time (if you are normal) to get to the modern era.
For the first time in the series, both analog sticks control each shot from tee to green. The left analog stick controls your swing, and the right analog dictates ball trajectory and putt strength. Now this is where the game gets too complex for non-golfer fans (which happens to be most of the world.) If you are a golf fan you'll know which hole needs to have a different swing, if you're not you'll just want to hit the ball as hard as you can and hope for the best.
The other changes the game has made are mostly peripheral; there have been new golfers added, and you can call your shots for money. The PGA season tour is still enacted and is the bread and butter of this game. The only problem is that you have to go through the Rivals Mode to increase your skill sufficiently to play with the big boys. There is also the real time calendar events that can be humorous, but are too difficult most of the time.
"Tiger Woods 2006" is a different type of game; it is for golf fans and video game lovers, but those who do not know golf will be left out.