Despite losing several product endorsements in the wake of his sex scandal, golfer Tiger Woods is still along for the ride with the latest edition of EA Sports' PGA series of video games. This time, however, "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12" has -- perhaps smartly -- thrown in another famous entity that ends up stealing at least some of the spotlight from Woods: The Masters Tournament.
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"Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters"
Ever since news Tiger Woods' sex scandal broke in 2009, there have been a lot of questions about the pro golfer's future.
Doubt was raised regarding not only his ability to keep winning in the sport of golf, but also the future of his many lucrative product endorsements, including a series of popular video games from EA Sports. But it turns out he's still on board for "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12."
The Tiger Factor
Last year's release of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11" saw lower-than-usual sales, which some blamed on the stigma surrounding the golfer. This year, even though the game still features the athlete's name, for the first time there is no picture of Woods on the cover.
Instead, EA Sports seems to have focused more on its new deal to recreate the glamorous Masters tournament. The publisher also signed on famed commentator Jim Nantz to do the voice-over announcements. It's almost as if Woods was sort of swept under the rug. That is, at first glance.
Make no mistake, though. Woods is still very prevalent throughout the experience and practically nothing has changed about how he's portrayed. He's still a formidable player in the game and appears throughout the single-player career mode.
However, his grandeur may perhaps be a bit muted because this is the first time the Masters has been brought to the series. Previous entries revolved around significantly less famous competitions. Last year's experience, for example, was a recreation of the Ryder Cup, which is perhaps more familiar among serious golf enthusiasts.
The Masters Factor
The Masters is a much more famous competition, though, which makes this Tiger Woods experience exciting for any casual fan, regardless of Woods's presence. In some ways, it truly is the game, not the golfer, that is the headliner this time.
The way the game works through the Masters competition from start to finish is fantastic. Players start out as an amateur golfer and must work their way up through various small-scale tournaments before they earn an invitation to compete in the granddaddy of golfing competitions -- the Masters.
And once inside the Masters tour, the courses are so beautifully rendered that it actually feels like the real thing. On top of that, as a side note, usually the commentary in Tiger Woods games feels like it's there just because it has to be, but this time Nantz's voice really adds to the realism. It would have been nice to see a more expansive repertoire of comments -- players will start to notice repetitions in the commentary before even finishing one round -- but there is at least a unique quip or soundbite for every major accomplishment or blunder. For example, hitting the ball into a sand trap, scoring a chip-in, or landing on the green just inches from the hole are all met with quotes from Nantz that make it feel like he's watching the action unfold live.
Controls and Gameplay
I tested out the PS3 version of the game, and it allows player to use the PlayStation Move device in place of a standard PS3 controller. It actually works pretty well, and for those who have ever played a golfing game on the Wii, the experience is almost identical. The controls are pretty basic, so players won't have a tough time fumbling around with making a whole lot of confusing motion gestures.
However, the classic controls are still here for those who prefer. As far as actual gameplay structure, not much has changed from "PGA Tour 11" -- there aren't any notable additions with regard to positioning where to strike the ball, how to adjust for wind, and the way in which the course's terrain is represented.
There is one very new and noteworthy addition, though. Before each shot, players are now presented with personalized suggestions from their virtual caddie. The caddie, who is fully voiced, tells players which club to use and will set each shot at the angle he believes to be the best. However, if players just blindly follow everything the caddie says, they'll probably only perform at a slightly-above-mediocre level. It's up to the players to figure out more nuances within the game's controls and physics to decide if a better shot can be made.
Aside from the main gameplay, there is a special game mode called "Masters Moments" in which players get to relive some of the greatest shots in Masters history. This time, though, instead of watching the shots, players have to sink them in themselves. It's a nice addition that reinforces why the Masters tournament is such a storied part of golf history.
Bottom Line
All in all, "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters" hits all the right notes. The realism and excitement of one of the most famous golf events in the world make it an enjoyable ride even for those who resent the idea of buying a product with Woods's name.
However, others might say that Woods has paid for his actions and should continue on with his life, and that's why he is still a focal part of the experience. The difference this time is it isn't all about Tiger Woods, which, sex scandal or not, does a lot to bring new life into the long-running series.
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