GameCube

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 seemingly does the impossible: It gives serious golf fans a deep sim while offering casual fans an approachable, gorgeous game with tons of play modes. If you’re hardcore about Hot Shots, this could be the real golf game to win you over.

Golf is considerably different than other sports. It doesn't have the high impact thrills of football, nor does it feature the competitive back-and-forth mechanics of basketball. It is a one-man show, a game defined by skill, strategy and patience, and as such it's also a sporting genre that has always made the transition to videogames very well. Over the years there have been countless golf titles -- some flawed, some good and some great, but few that could be called the true Madden of golf with any validity. Leave it to publisher Electronic Arts, though, to change that.

There's no question that Tiger Woods has profoundly affected the way we look at golf. Previously ruled by stuffy old bluebloods, the sport has been infused with a new, youthful energy since Tiger's arrival, which in turn has attracted a much more diverse audience to the game. Last year's installment in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series reflected golf's new attitude by including colorful fictional golfers, a hip soundtrack, and a slick new visual style. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 further refines this presentation, along with virtually every other facet of the game. The end result is a nearly flawless game of golf that somehow manages to appeal to every breed of golfer.

Bien, on se demandait il y a peu si 2003 serait l'année de la maturité pour TWPGAT, on ne peut pas dire que le jeu soit révolutionné dans le fond. Les nouveautés sont très appréciables. La barre est placée haut. A vos clubs amateurs et experts du swing virtuel. Au fait, vous savez comment on dit Tiger Woods en morse ? Comme ça : - .. --. . .-. / .-- --- --- -.. ...

If you're looking for replay value, however, Tiger Woods delivers. Besides the standard fare (skins, match play, stroke, tournament), there are several addicting single-player modes. "Tiger Challenge" lets you compete against individual players to open additional golfers, courses, and other prizes. The "Scenarios" mode provides 50 specific tough challenges covering a wide range of strategic situations. You constantly open new features and earn awards. More realistic than Hot Shots but with an arcade sensibility of its own, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 really makes a name for itself.