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The man is back. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 for the Xbox 360 doesn’t include all of the extras, courses and game modes of its current-generation counterparts but does add some genuine challenge to the mix.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 for the Xbox 360 lacks many of the gameplay modes found in the current-generation console versions of the game. The main gameplay mode is still the career mode. The career mode of this version, though, is a bit more streamlined than what we saw in the current-generation consoles with no time-travel found. The awesome gameface system is still included. The game also lacks eight courses compared to current-gen versions with only six courses being included instead of the expected 14. You’ll still find the popular ones like Pebble Beach, Carnoustie, TPC at Sawgrass, Riviera Country Club, Turnberry's Alisa Course, and Pinehurt Number 2.
The game makes up for this lack of modes and courses by including gameplay that is fundamentally more satisfying than it has been in the past because it is more challenging to players. You’ll still find the dual-analog swing system from the current-generation versions where the left analog stick controls the backspin and the right analog stick controls the spin or draw of the ball. The courses in this version of the game make the precise control required to make it through the game. The swinging system is more sensitive this time around, though. While a bit annoying at first this does add challenge which recent games in the Tiger Woods series were missing. The putting controls are identical to the current-generation console versions and add a sense of familiarity to the control system.
The game includes full Xbox Live support for the quick play and custom-match modes. The game lets you choose a number of settings for the custom matches including best ball, stroke, match, four ball, etc. There are also minigames which are tracked in the leaderboards along with the typical matches. The game also includes daily tournaments. We experienced little lag when playing.
The game’s visuals aren’t as drastically improved as other EA Sports titles but there are enough graphical nuances and tweaks to make it worthwhile. The player models are pretty accurate, though with the exception of Tiger Woods, only look marginally better than they looked on the Xbox. Even Tiger doesn’t look drastically different. The game’s skin textures are good, showing some muscle tone, but pale in comparison to other EA Sports games. The courses look amazing, though, and are a marked improvement over the current generation courses. You’ll find much better grass, tress and water in this game. The courses are even populated by interactive crowds that can get hit by the golf ball and move around. The lighting and shadow system is also much more complex although this isn’t easily picked up on.
The game’s audio is top-notch. The sounds of golf are accurately recreated in the game. The commentary from Gary McCord who provides well-meaning commentary contrasts with the comical arrogance of David Feherty.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 lacks a number of courses and game modes found in the current generation version. Additionally, the graphics are only marginally better. That said, unless you’ve already picked up the game for one of the current-generation consoles, this is recommend for the sheer sense of challenge and authenticity that the game provides.
-- Adam Nunez & -- Jake Wilson, PGNx Media
---- Dec 9, 2005
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