The 19th Hole...
There is also the addition of the new confidence metre, which takes a number of factors from your previous shots, such as your accuracy and power. This affects the size of your targeting circle, which in turn improves or hinders your ability to get the ball to exactly where you want it to land. As you build up your stats through competing in the various game modes and tournaments you'll find that it's pretty easy to fill your confidence meter because you'll be knocking 300+ yard drives and spinning the ball next to the cup time and time again. Interestingly, the confidence metre keeps account of your performance on every hole, so when you go back to play it again, you may be at an advantage or disadvantage depending on how well you did previously.From attempting to get that elusive hole in one to sinking a 75 yard putt, the Xbox 360 version of course has the added incentive of the unlockable achievements and there are some competitive achievements on offer. But, the most fun I've had out of playing TW08 is through Xbox live, the various mini games, arcade modes and the Tiger Challenges.
There is a comprehensive selection of challenges which provides some excitement away from the dull season mode, but still there's something that niggles away at you whilst playing. You do get to play against computer controlled opponents, which does gives the games a competitive edge, but their behaviour can be best described as erratic.
If you play well, they play well. If you play badly they play badly. They always seem to stay around your level of skill the majority of the time. It's crazy when you see them fluff a tee shot because you did and then, because you've managed to get your second ball on the green, they'll pull off an amazing shot to land right next to the hole. The skill of the AI seems just about forgiving enough to let you gain a bronze medal on each of the challenges, but in order to achieve gold medals you'll need to seriously max up your stats. There are some serious AI balancing issues.
Presentation-wise there's not much difference to last year's game. The animation of the golfers is superb and the courses look fantastic; even the crowd seem more realistic than last year.
The audio, however, is still just as annoying. I don't mind the sound of aeroplanes flying above or the chirping of birds, that adds to the atmosphere, but the commentators have a frustrating habit of telling you where your ball is going to land, while it's still in the air. It may seem small thing, but it is very annoying.
Furthermore, the commentators are invariably out of synch with the action, especially on the green. So, you'll get Garry McCord telling you it's an easy putt when you’re 50ft away from the cup, or telling you to hit it straight despite the putting preview showing you otherwise. The commentary is annoying, but thankfully you don't really need to listen to it to enjoy the game as the mute button is always close at hand.
There's no denying that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 is a great game of golf, but the career mode is really lacking any punch and the AI in some of the game modes and challenges just doesn't cut the mustard; the difficulty levels between the game modes is quite frankly all over the place. The variety of the game modes do keep the action fresh and provide a decent and entertaining challenge. But, it's the online aspect where Tiger Wood really excels, with a good lobby system, easy to access games and of course the challenge of taking on real human beings.
Despite some obvious flaws in the game, I have enjoyed playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 and it's still the best golfing game out there by a long shot. However, I am inclined to say that if you have got Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 and you're not interested in face-mapping or GamerNet, you might as well stick with what you've got.
Pros
Transgender face-mapping
GamerNet is a nice addition
Loads of game modes
Plays smoothly online
Cons
PGA Tour Season is dull
Opponent AI is totally unbalanced
Commentators talk crap
Playing against human opposition is where you'll enjoy yourself most in this year’s Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
HEXUS Awards
Tiger Woods PGS Tour 08 – Xbox 360
