ImThinking's Full Review: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2002 for PlayStation 2
Wow, what a difference a year makes. I am seriously surprised. I mean not only did EA work out the kinks they completely over-hauled it and then some, plus one. To express how good this is compared to the years before is hard to do, but I’m going to give it a shot (to help you realize how good this one is compared to last years you can read my review for it in the games section Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001). Anyway, the first thing I noticed is that the graphics are actually quite an improvement and not as cartoon looking as they were in 2001. The second thing that got my attention was the greatly, greatly improved swing system (although some of the views for your shots are bad and the putting view is terrible it is finally something to be proud of). The third thing I happily noticed is that there are many more golfers to choose from (varying from real and made up characters). The final thing that really sealed the deal for me was that this game now has a good tournament mode, great challenges, spectacularly hard scenarios, trophy ball rooms, player progress, speed golf, and most importantly more courses.
GRAPHICS: To compare the graphics with this years Tiger Woods and last years would be a non-sense thing to do for example: This year has better character models, facial detail, course detail, partial effects, water effects, and background detail. First let me start with the character models, which are still a little bit choppy, but very realistic feeling especially while they’re swinging (and wait till you see the Happy Gilmore like smash). The face is the greatest area of concentration (which it seems to be with most PS2 games) but I find really isn’t necessary. The course detail really surprised me, It looks real with audiences that stand around, great looking fairways and greens (real and made up), leafs floating in the breeze, squirrels running around, trees swaying, ocean spray, color, and lighting. The partial effects look a lot better and more realistic, whether it be the sand flying when you hit your ball out of the trap, your ball splashing in the water, or the tee flying off the drive, it will give you a more realistic look and feel. The background detail is also greatly improved including things like the water, sky, and lighting. The shadows from the light source are cast much better and more convincing, the sky is more majestic and flows more smooth, and the water actually moves. I don’t have any problems with the graphics other than the character models are a bit choppy and the faces are disturbingly realistic. So overall I give the graphics a 5 out of 5, and not just because they’re better than last years, but because they are finally PS2 quality.
SOUND: Okay, this is not a part of golf that is too exciting, and this game really is no exception but it does have it’s good points (even if it’s only for the first time you play it). The coolest thing is that their is an announcer that keeps up with the action pretty good, and once in a while he throws in a funny joke or two. The worst part is, is that he can get annoying after your done with your first tournament, so be prepared with your own music because you don’t get any while your on the links unless your playing speed golf (the weird thing is that the first song, Nelly #1, is actually quite catchy and it seems like their would have been more like that provided) oh well what are you gonna do. The swing and the ball strike sounds basically like it would if you were at the golf course yourself. Now, a very intense and intriguing thing is the pressure shot that sounds like a heartbeat which starts up when you are close to breaking a record, and not only that but the control shakes as the heart beats. The music during speed golf is like the beginning and is quite frustrating, but adds to the fun and speed of the challenge. Overall I give the sound a 4.5 out of 5 because it is done well, and even though the announcer will get stale the sound can be provided by your local DJ or your CD collection.
CONTROL: The control in this game is superb. The joystick swing has finally been mastered, and it’s been done so well that this is the best golf game I have ever played. The swing is so good because it involves more than just tapping x twice, it makes you get more realistic. One of the things that makes it more realistic is that it doesn’t give you a distance when you have to make a chip shot, you actually have to learn how to use the club so that you can swing it with the power necessary. The drive when you get full power is sweet, and gives you a feeling of power when you pull it off (it’s also a cool way to show off when your playing against other people). In speed golf the game controls are basically the same, but now you have to remember to run your marker up to the ball and hopefully get there by the time your it lands. All the other modes are basically the same unless you’re provided with other rules. The only problem I have with the controls is that the button to add power to your ball is L1 and the button to make your ball spin back is L2, and that’s that you don’t get to change it, damn! Overall I’m going to give the controls a whopping 5 out of 5 because they are great, very realistic, and most importantly interactive.
GAME PLAY: After reading this review I hope you realize that this game is a great purchase, especially if you like golf. This is fun not only alone but with friends. This game involves skill, luck, but obviously most importantly fun. I would say to anyone that reads this that this is the best golf game I have ever played and I can most likely tell you that this will probably be the best one you will ever play. I really recommend this game to you because it is has so many different modes, it’s multi-player, it’s realistic, and it has a very extensive replay value (especially when it comes to the trophy balls, oh yeah, good luck with the hole-in-one trophy ball because when you get it you will be very happy.) Plus, you will get rewards for most of your game time, whether it is from money (the cool part about the money is that you get to buy your skill points as you get better, and as you get better the more money and skill points you will achieve) to your bronze, silver, and gold tour cards.
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