17.3.2004

I must admit I haven't played Links 2004 or TW PGA Tour 2004 yet, and bought this because it was cheap. I'm not too worried about online play with sports games though and to tell you the truth I used to find golf really rather boring. However, I'm happy to say this was the best purchase I've made on the X-Box - it's the best and most realistic sports game I've ever played on a console and I'm now completely hooked.What sets it apart from other sports games are the graphics. It's obvious that a lot of effort has been made getting the movement of the players' swing, reactions and the facial expressions to look right. The cut screens, ball movement, water movement, tree effects and collision detection is all excellent,and the camera view following the ball after a stroke is good (but could be better - at times it's difficult to see the ball, especially on long putts where you sometimes want to be able to move the camera yourself...)The sound too is second-to-none.Commentary, as with all EA Sports games is excellent, and based on the on-screen action. If you play into the rough be prepared for cheeky comments and playful banter like "Oh dear, that's simply awful" and similar! One little gripe here would be be that if played for a long time, you do hear a lot of repetition.Ambient sound effects are effectively used - you can even hear seagulls crying and the crashing of waves on the rocks at Pebble Beach for example! And if you listen closely you can hear fans cheering on other holes/courses nearby. The spectators also cheer wildly and groan according to how good your shot was.The little touches add so much to the game - when you connect with a good shot and it's headed for the pin, the pad rumbles as if you're heart's beating fast, and the cut-screens with close-ups of the players' faces all add to the excitement.Controls are always going to be a critical issue in a golfing game, and I'm happy to say that they're easy-to-use, but are ideal on the Controller S (spin and power buttons easier to reach and use). Either one of the analogue sticks can be used to control the swing - push back for the backswing, and push forward at the right moment to do the forward swing. Easy-peasy you might think, but you will soon be challenged by wind, sloping greens and dog-leg fairways so getting used to the spin and power controls (with the excellent tutorials, on-screen tips and a Skill Zone to practice your shots in) is essential. The putting technique takes a while to be good at however - judging the distance is often difficult and the "caddy tips" are all too often misleading.Although the game does not have online play, the excellent multiplayer options make up for it. Playing with friends is hilarious, especially when placing a wager on the hole, and there are a variety of different options you can change to spice things up a bit.With a host of different game modes, including a World Tour, full Season, tournaments, challenges, skins, progressively more challenging players and courses (some real, some invented)it will be a long time before you get bored.The ability to improve your golfer by buying attributes and unlocking equipment (winning rounds earns you money to spend in the club shop, so you often have to play just that one more time.....!) really adds another dimension and makes it even more engrossing.There is a wide choice of locations, and you can choose from more than 20 courses, which are unlocked as you progress in the tours and other game modes, some invented but most from real tours (Pebble Beach, TPC at Sawgrass, St.Andrews etc).There really is so much to do and explore in the game and various game modes to try out that it will take weeks of solid playing to get through it all to "unlock" everything, and helping Tiger progress through the ranks, earning money and buying kit, can be a very rewarding experience!All in all, this is so excellent, I had to give it 5 stars. If you want a realistic golf game with a few surprises and great gameplay and graphics which you'll always enjoy coming back to, then you know what to do!

27.2.2003

Having limited experience in golfing games (PGA Golf -Mega Drive & Everybodys Golf - PS1) this one came highly reccommended from an TWPGA'02 - PS2 user.From the moment the disc entered the XBOX they became one!The whole game has an unbelivable level of 'just one more go' panache that I don't think has been experienced since Sensible Soccer (anyone remember that one?).It has so many varied options, scenario's (you're 4 down with 4 holes to go - birdie em all!), tournaments - too many to mention, multiplayer modes and of course Tiger Challenge.In addition to this wealth of play modes you have a 'My Tour' menu which further fuels the desire to keep playing as you are able to view at a glance statistics such as - how many Eagles have been hit on all the Par 5's in the game,

15.2.2004

I've only been playing this for a month-or-so now, but I can tell that it will keep me going for a long while more. The controls are simple enough to grasp, but give you enough control to either really ace a hole or die with frustration as you miss that eagle putt by 1/2 and inch. The graphics are stunning, with a broad selection of real courses to help you maintain that pretence that "I'm Tiger Woods".The skills practice is a great way to get into the game, allowing you to build your skills and earn prize money to buy more power on your swing, accuracy on your putting etc. These practice rounds vary from Fantasy Par-4s to pitching onto a selection of greens for prize money against the clock,

30.11.2002

After years of playing Links LS on the PC I thought that golf games could only be so good and there would never be a successful alternative to clicking a button to hit the ball.... how wrong I was.Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 has managed to provide a credible swing method using the analogue capabilities of the Xbox controller and has spiced up the gameplay with some fancy graphics.Plenty of options are available for improving your game, and these options are generally fun based to keep you interested. The "Tiger Challenge" also works well, as you take on various opponents to unlock courses and earn money for equipment and skill improvements.The sound and graphics are pretty good throughout,

2.12.2002

Having recently bought this game and having had others of the TW series on other platforms(namely 2001 for the PS1) it is easy to see why the Xbox is quite simply the ultimate setup. The graphics are quite simply stunning, the game is huge with a wide variety of players, courses and conditions. the option of upgrading equipment( stiffer club shafts etc) to wring another couple of yards from your drives etc is a very nice and new touch, and the variety of competition and gameplay formats also add to the sheer size of the game. That said if you are not into golf games per-say then there is nothing likely to change your mind. if, as i do, you love them then this is very very impressive.The only failing,

21.4.2003

Golf is all about the detail, this game attempts to pack it all in - however it loses touch with reality the further you get into the game.As a golf 'sim' it is flawed. Unrealistic 'spin' feature allows you to correct any mistakes 'on the fly'; 425yd drives!; Having to score 60 under par to win the Tour!; Driving the green on 25% of the St Andrews Course!. These facts may put the golf fanatics (of which I am one) off, however once you forget these flights of fantasy - this game is EXCELLENT!!The depth is amazing - especially the Tiger Challenge. Starting from scratch you play matchplay, skins games against CPU players in order to gain 'Tour Cards'. The Scenarios are testing,

6.1.2003

I have enjoyed Tiger Woods games before but I must say EA Sports have surpassed themselves with this one. Inventive, graphically superb, witty and accurate commentry and with simple game controls this game is a must for anyone. I particularly enjoy the Tiger Challenge where you can compete against the best golfers in the world (Both real and fictional) for money to assist you buy items to improve your game. Such as power, accuracy and aproach, as well as better golfing equipment. I have only had this game for 4 days and I have not been off it. Indeed, I also had 2 other games deliverd at the same time and they remain in their wrappers. In conclusion and notwithstanding the fact of whether you are a golfer or not,

7.1.2003

The wording all round refers to all of the things that we mark games on. The graphics, gameplay, addiction, and lastability.This game has all the fun of some funny charectors with some good animation on them. The gameplay is easy to pick up and the training at the start gets you play correctly. The addiction is good as when you hit the ball near the pin from distance the pad vibrates and the heart beat of your player can be heard. And if you are sat in a group you all get excited and jump around if it goes in...And the lifespan is the greatest of all. As well as beat players in a tiger challange and 20 or so tournements aswell as the 40 or so scenario then you have the just pickup and play

11.12.2002

This is a fantastic version. The graphics are absolutely spot on, the physics are accurate in every way. Tiger Woods IS Tiger Woods - you can see him blink while he's preparing to swing... unbelievable.I even like the heavy soundtrack. I would never have thought that Ash's "Burn Baby Burn" would go with a golf game - but it does!There are elements of comedy in the game (with the characters and their animation), but these only add to the enjoyment - it's still very technical to play, especially the putting (which takes some getting used to).Roll on XBOX live - this will be a great online experience.There's also loads of sub-games, such as speed golf, challenges etc.

7.1.2003

As i am i golfer when i saw this game on the shelfs i bought it straight away because the Tiger Wood's games have kept on improving over the last few years. The new features on this game are-you can now buy new equipment to improve your golfer's skills-the skillzone where you can take up different tasks to earn moneyOn the new game their are also many more new courses including St Andrews Old Course and many more made up courses and real courses.The qualities of this game and the power of thex-box make this one of the best golf games ever made.

3.12.2002

this game rocks, i dont like golf itself but this game is well good and appeals to die hard golf fans, there is so much to do in the game ie lots of tournaments to enter where you will earn money for winning so you can upgrade your golfer. You will also get to challenge other golfers and by beating them win money, unlock that golfer and unlock new courses. The graphics in the game are really nice and the slow motion effects are really cool. I totally recommend this game as its got alot of lastability and stuff to unlock

9.3.2003

I have never been a great fan of golf games. Click and watch the power bar move, and then click again. This game changes all of that. The use of the thumb button for the swing adds a simple yet vital part of the game.The graphics, sound and gameplay are all excellent. The game is massive and plays well in both single play, and when competing against a friend.If you are looking for the best golf game for the XBOX, buy this one.

26.8.2003

Tiger woods 2003 is probably the only game I have seen on the xbox which would make me buy an xbox.the graphics are amazing the game play is intuitive.the game is so good I have even taken up real golf since playing it. for some reason though I cant find a spin button or power boost on my real clubs. Maybe thats why I always get 20- 30 over par.If you have an Xbox then get this game, even non golfers will be impressed.

3.12.2002

The graphics are amazing on the Xbox with detail right down to eyelashes and the dimples on the golf ball.The greatest innovation is the the fascility for strking the ball which does away with power meters.A challenging and satisfying game

8.8.2003

This game is the most addictive and best game i have played in a long time. I am not a golf fan but Tiger Woods is the best game for anyone no matter if you have never swung a club in your life.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 (Xbox) - Reviews

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