Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 Wii Review
I had a chance to play Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 at E3 for the Wii this year, and I was pleasantly surprised – enough so that I recently purchased it, along with the Wii Motion Plus device. The original version for the Wii a few years back was one of the first Wii games I bought, but I ended up putting it down after a few plays. The motion control was weak, swings were poorly mimicked and putting was near impossible. It was just too frustrating. Tiger Woods 10 has fixed all of that.
Most of the improvement is related to the Wii Motion Plus device, which plugs into the bottom of the controller. The most noticeable improvement comes in putting, which feels as close to normal putting as I’ve ever experienced in a video game. The controls are sensitive enough that you actually feel like you need the right amount of “touch” to sink the ball.
Fairway and tee shots are improved as well. Swinging actually feels somewhat natural and the game wonderfully (or “un-wonderfully” as the case may be) accurately mimicked many of my golf deficiencies. That’s not to say it’s as difficult as the actual game of golf. There is enough forgiveness on the swing to allow me to stay competitive with the computer players (on normal level) by my second or third game. Still, it feels real enough that it stays fun and engrossing.
Graphically the game is not greatly enhanced from earlier versions, but it’s still solid in this department. Course fly-overs are wonderfully rendered and get the job done. The voice work is also par for the course, but serves its purpose. In addition, there are a number of mini-games, many of which are passable, but some of which can actually make for a fun time at a party. Most notably is Frisbee golf, which mimics the feel of throwing a disc well.
Overall, Tiger Woods 10 is a fun game. If you’ve never liked golf games, this one isn’t going to change your mind or blow you away. If you’re looking for a high-end golf simulator that can analyze your swing, you’ll also be disappointed. But, if you enjoy a casual round of golf and can’t find the time to get out and play 18 holes every week, Tiger Woods 10 can be a fun and engrossing substitute. On top of that, it proves that the Wii Motion Plus is a wonderful and now necessary attachment for the Wii controllers.
