![]() In the Challenge mode, opponents arise and make matches for set stakes. It's much more than the set of "license tests" that it was last year (although 2002 does include a few training/test exercises in between competitions), and very engaging once you get used to it. It's possible to set up a regular game, with match, stroke, or skins play, but the real attraction is the Tiger Challenge mode, a progressive series of competitions with cash rewards that unlock new courses (seven in all) and golfers. What about everything else? You will probably be pleased to know that the gameplay presentation has been thoroughly overhauled. So the gameplay engine is solid - but it already was. There's still enough information to plan and execute putts effectively. The old geography grid from last year's model is gone, which is curious considering how well that showed off the 3D engine, but it doesn't seem to be much of a loss in gameplay terms. The "caddy tip" window offers precise measurements suggesting the power and aiming of a putt (with a cute little delay while he's reading the green), and the line indicators showing where a straight shot will go and letting you adjust accordingly. Putting seems a little bit friendlier this time out than before. Those work just as well in the regular behind-the-tee view as the circle-button zoom view, although the latter is a little more exact, and includes a neat motion-blur effect as the camera moves forward to show a potential lie. The interface provides plenty of information without cluttering up the screen, and the most important options (club and shot selection) sit on the shoulder buttons, making it easy to swap back and forth between choices and see how they affect potential distance and placement. Setting up a shot beforehand uses more traditional controls, but they're just as well-designed. The quick-fingered can manipulate their shots with surprising precision, although it's still not that hard for beginners to shoot straight and make par. Hooks and slices are controlled by moving the stick a little to the right or left, the L2 button puts spin on the ball in conjunction with the D-pad, and L1 adds a bit of extra power during the backswing. Basic shots require only one finger, pulling back on the left analog stick for backswing and snapping it forward to release the power thus stored. It's a remarkably intuitive control method, though, in comparison to the traditional tap-tap-tap power meter system of yore. Some veterans might be bothered initially, but this was probably a wise design choice in view of the big picture, since the analog-only swing system is probably still unfamiliar to many. Tiger Woods 2002 just takes players by the hand a little, requiring the completion of a short tutorial before all the modes are available. Gameplay When you load up the game and all the mode options are grayed out, do not panic. Those fans should find little fault with the new Tiger Woods, though - it's a much more solid product than last year's model, and bodes well for further improvements in 2003. ![]() Some may consider that an alternative, but there's probably a slice of the market at least as large that wants their golf to presented with ordinarily-proportioned heads. Sound like enough for one year?Īdmittedly, you haven't got a choice, since the only other golf game of note on PlayStation 2 is the as-yet-unreleased Hot Shots Golf 3, which sits decidedly to the left of Tiger's realistic sim presentation. There's now a healthy suite of seven realtime 3D 18-hole courses (six real-life, plus a "Tiger's Dream 18" compilation, unlocked a hole at a time), more golfers both fictional and otherwise, a complete new training and licensing mode, more extra modes to go along with the Tiger Challenge tests, and further refinement to the analog control system. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2002 features the expected tuning to its 3D engine, plus much more meat to hang on those bones. ![]() ![]() It was a very well-made golf game in most every other aspect, though, so all that remained was for EA to flesh out that skeleton of graphics and gameplay with a few more features. ![]()
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