PSone REVIEW:
The gameplay cannot be simpler. The controller uses either the digital buttons or the analog thumbsticks. A push down on the stick starts the backswing, then push forward to begin the downswing. You use the D-Pad to point where you want to hit the ball considering the wind, conditions, etc. You can press the triangle button to zoom forward to view where your ball is generally going to land. You can switch clubs, change the type of shot (full/punch/pitch/chip) and adjust your power using the power meter on the backswing.
One nice touch is when the ball is in mid-air, you can use the D-Buttons to help steer your shot. It doesn\'\'t always work, but it can save you from going out of bounds or in the water. Although this can be a multi-player game, it still is just an individual event. The fun comes from match play or skins if you play others.
To putt on Tiger Woods Golf is very similar to what you\'\'ve seen in other golf games for the PSone. Essentially, when you\'\'re lined up, there is a grid showing the basic characteristics of the green. Holding the R1 button produces a more detailed 3-D rendition of the actual surface allowing a far more accurate judgment to be made on how the ball will react when you hit it (What you see is more of a ground-level view of whether the green pitches right, left, etc.). Just as important, is how the speed of a shot will be affected by the gradient from ball to hole. Thankfully information is provided that will allow adjustment of the back-swing if you see the putt goes up or down-hill, reducing the chances of the ball falling short (or running past) the hole. I found this feature to be very accurate and a necessity to sinking your putts on the first try. The greens, I\'\'m guessing, are trying to match the hole on the actual course that you are playing on. So there are no special attributes on any of them that wouldn\'\'t be there in real life. I didn\'\'t notice any effects of the weather on putting, as the wind was never very strong while play-testing and there was no rain.
You can choose between being Tiger or one of seven other players (see game features) and choose your skill level of Amateur Novice or Pro. When you are Tiger, you hear him commenting on shots. When you are the other players, you have no comments from them. When playing against the computer, you can speed up their play by pressing the X button after the shot to avoid watching the ball fly through the air and land. There is feedback on the controller when you make your shot, and more particularly when the ball lands.
While the visuals aren\'\'t overly stunning, they still are quite good. All of the different courses are rendered quite well. There isn\'\'t much movement in the trees, etc., but the fairway is easily distinguishable from the rough and from the greens. There is the obligatory lawnmower marks on the fairway and green, and the traps look nicely raked. Each golfer is pretty accurately like the actual person. Tiger\'\'s moves and real stance are replicated very well, including the fist pump for a great putt. There is no jump or pop of the graphics as you move or pan around. The scenery doesn\'\'t disappear or do anything unexpected. One goofy thing I found is there are gallery sounds of cheering, oohing, etc., but there aren\'\'t any people on the course watching you. What\'\'s up with that?
In addition to the comments that you hear from Tiger and the invisible gallery cheers, there are background sound effects of birds wind, etc. I found them to differ based on where you\'\'re playing so not to hear a seagull in the desert, etc. I also am happy that the ball sounds are true to form. You even hear a different thud when you hit the rough as opposed to the fairway. You\'\'ll also hear the crunch of the sand and rustle of the high grass. When the putt sinks, you hear the familiar hollow plastic thud of the ball falling in the hole.
FEATURES:
· 3-D game engine delivers full-screen, real-time dynamic cameras that follow the ball in flight
· Golf ball physics are engineered to accurately depict the golf ball\'\'s flight, spin and bounce characteristics
· Real time interaction means players can \'play by feel.\' Fade, draw or spin shots for the best line of attack with real time analog swing. Players can feel the club, feel the ball and feel the shot.
· In addition to playing as or against Tiger Woods, players can play as Justin Leonard, Stewart Cink, Brad Faxon, Lee Janzen, Mark O\'\'Meara, Robert Damron and Mark Calcavecchia.
· Play on a wide offering of top courses including TPC at The Canyons, Poppy Hills Golf Course, TPC at Sawgrass, Badlands Golf Club and TPC of Scottsdale
· Six different game modes for an incredible depth of play including TOUR Challenge mode, which allows players to compete as amateurs, turn pro and have their skills tested at every step on their way up the competitive TOUR ladder. The other game modes are \'Skins,\' match play, practice, stroke play and tournament mode
· New game engine delivers enhanced graphics and quicker pacing speeds up the overall game play for a smooth and fast-paced 18 holes
OPTIONS:
• 1 Disk(s)
• CD Media
• 1 Block required on Memory card per save (min)
• Up to 2 Players (without Multi-tap)
• Up to 4 Players (with Multi-tap)
• Uses Dual Shock Pad Buttons
• Uses Dual Shock Pad Analog Sticks
• Uses Dual Shock Pad Vibration facility |
