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System:
PlayStation 2
Genre:
Sports
Publisher:
Electronic Arts
Developer:
EA Sports
Players:
-
Release date/year:
07/18/2002
Other systems:
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- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2002
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2002 EA Sports - Electronic Arts - PS2
Overall Summary
EA Sports (a company who has spoiled so many over the years, that they get unfairly criticized more than almost any other developer)This is the absolute best rendition of golf I have seen, and I have pretty much played them all for many years. THIS GAME IS FUN, FAST, and FILLED WITH CHARM! The many different modes are varied and well-conceived, and the graphics are superb. Finally! A golf game with attitude, playability, and a lot of style! Golf fans everywhere- go get this game. You'll have a blast!
Gameplay: So many game modes, so little time! They crammed in the usual modes of Match Play, Tournaments (which are now only ONE round, thankfully), Practice, and Play Now. What has been added is SPEED GOLF, where you have the added pressure of playing through as fast as possible, while still posting a respectable score! You hit the ball, then gain control of a cursor and ''run'' it up to the location of the ball you just hit. It may not appeal to everyone, but is sure to please many Gen-X gamers out there, who otherwise find golf ''slow and boring''. The game starts you off with limited access to golfers and courses, and you have to earn your way to unlocking these items, by winning various challenges. You can start your ''career'' as a novice, with undeveloped skills, and then slowly and steadily build up in various categories by spending money you've earned. All swings are controlled with the analog sticks on your Dual Shock controllers, and it works great! They seem to have made it more forgiving, making control natural and a pleasure to work with. You can hit all types of shots, of course; flop shots, chips, fades, draws, punch shots, etc. It is easy to get good, fast. You can hit dramatic ''powered-up'' drives, and really nail some impressive shots! When you hit it just right, sometimes your golfer will go into a ''Happy Gilmore-style'' run 'n whack drive animation. Too funny! Any time you hit with extra power, the camera provides a cool letterbox-style animation sequence, adding drama to the game on many occasions. Whenever there is a dramatic moment (like a long putt that can win a Skin, or put you in the lead) you feel your golfer's heartbeat, and the announcers make appropriate comments to build drama. These added dramatic moments add so much to console golfing. It is very very welcome, and still takes nothing away from the simulation nature of the game. Difficulty levels can be adjusted in many ways, making the gameplay suit your tastes. All in all, they seem to have really thought of everything. I can't wait to see what NEXT year's rendition holds for us.
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Graphics
The graphics and all animations are awesome, realistic, and very appealing. Tiger looks so much like Tiger..it's scary. They have several other famous Pros in the game, but the greatest addition has to be the fictitious golfers they now have available. The first one you get to use is definitely cool, funny and youthfully exuberant. From what I have seen, these new fictitious golfers each have a unique look and personality. This injection of personality into a golf game is so important in making this appeal to the masses. This game will appeal to younger gamers MUCH more than previous versions for this reason alone. The courses are BEAUTIFUL! There is much more detail, and the courses are simply pretty to look at. Pebble Beach features the ocean water crashing into the coast, and creating sprays of water. There are beautiful waterfalls, squirrels scampering, butterflies, etc. It has all been upgraded over last year's game. It looks totally new and amazing! EA SPORTS has surprised even me with this new title.
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Sound
Sound is the only area I still wish could get a little more improvement. The ambient sounds, the Menu music, and the sounds of club hitting ball are all done well. The announcing is a huge upgrade over previous titles, and it certainly is integral to the value of this particular game. I still wish there was a bit more situation-specific commentary, and I wish they could add some discussion of strategy or an analysis of the situations. That's nit-picking, though. The commentary was an area I longed to see improved, and they did a great job.
9/10
//Gabesnake
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