Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 Review

06 Jul 2010 at 10:11:54 by James Chalmers
Systems used to review this title: (360)

"Here we are, James Chalmers the back of the 18th, this putt to make birdie and win the US open…it's a great approach, oh but only a few millimeters from the hole what a shame. Actually lets take a mulligan..."

Yes it's that time of the year again and despite the last year of controversy and scandals that has either made him a legend in some men's minds or a untrustworthy, disloyal cheat by women, Tiger Woods returns to the fairways once more in Tiger Woods: PGA Tour 11. Not only does this golf sim approach the green from the tee-off, EA Sports sinks it with a spectacular hole-in-one. Okay I've run out of golfing terms. 

I'll admit golfing games have never been one of my genres of expertise. Last year I received a free copy of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 when I purchased my new Xbox and after a couple of rounds it came back out the console and has sat on my game shelf since. It's not that I haven't really liked them, I just didn't find what the hook of them was, until I played this version. 

Before you start anything you have to create your golfer. EA Sports has included a vast character creation mechanic allowing you to fine-tune the looks of your golfing personality all the way from race through to the muscle density of your body. Options are endless and whether you want to create a young go-getter or an old golfing pensioner with severe age spots; its possible. EA’s face in the game feature returns allowing you to digitally upload your own face to the game and in turn give your golfer that much more personalised look. While faces can be touch and go on likeness its still a nice feature that continues to be implemented after all these years. 

Once you have finished creating your character you're put through a lengthy training mode where you can learn the controls and different shots of of the game. While it’s a great way for novices to learn how and when to use different shots to their advantage, the training is unforgiving, and I found myself getting stuck on one of the putting tutorials for 15 minutes.  I couldn't skip either as the game will not let you progress until you have sunk the putt. But once it’s over and done with you are let loose on the golfing fairways of the world! 

Whether you want to play a casual round of 18 holes or try to win the Ryder Cup for Team Europe there is a game mode for everyone. Career mode returns in the form of the PGA Tour allowing you to enter your character in a variety of tournaments. You can choose how many rounds per an event you can play and while the opening tournaments aren’t that prestigious you soon find yourself participating in the likes of the US Open to compete for prize money and a chance to earn valuable XP to level up your character. While you can’t spend your well-earned prize money on anything the XP you gain is vital. 

XP is rewarded for a variety of things ranging from landing certain shots to achieving impressive feats on the course. Landing a tee-off onto the fairway for example will earn you a measly 5XP but sinking a long put for birdie can earn you a healthy 45 XP. The game does seem to lean towards rewarding the better golfers on the course but after 18 holes the different achievements soon add up to treat you with a healthy lump sum of XP to use on your character and the golf shop. 

Tiger Woods 11 features a huge golfing store containing a massive catalogue of golfing attire using an array of real life brands such as Nike and Oakley. You can dress your golfer as conservatively as you like with a wide selection of golfing trousers, polo shirts and visors. If this isn’t your thing then you can protest over the normal strict dress code, which comes with golfing establishments, and dress your character in such delights as a full Scottish kilt or pink, fluffy bunny outfit. 

Along with the different clothing you can also purchase new clubs and designer golf balls with the majority of the items on offer all coming with special stat buffs. This gives you more of an incentive to experiment and purchase new clothing and equipment however the best way to advance your character is through the leveling system.

The leveling system is the main hub of where you will be using your well-earned XP and gives you the chance to level up your golfer with a variety of skills and traits. The numerous talents are segregated into four different categories; power, accuracy, technique and putting. Professional golfers are on hand to set numerous challenges to earn extra XP, challenges can range from trying to score below the pros score on a selection of holes to landing a drive closest to the pin. It’s an easy way for you to not only earn extra XP but also become more skillful as a golfer as you learn very quickly it isn’t always about powering the golfball as hard as you can down the course.

As you enhance your skills you will slowly rise from a world of obscurity to a worldwide golfing phenomenon and as your different traits improve you really do feel a change in how your character handles.

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