Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003

8.1

Format PC

Developer EA Sports

Publisher Electronic Arts

Genre Sports

More grass. More bogeys. More Keith Pullin. More golf

Last month saw the arrival of Links 2003, the best golf game ever released on the PC. This month sees the arrival of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003, a serious contender for the best golf game ever released on the PC. So, how does the all new Tiger Woods fare?

Visually and acoustically TW2003 blows Links 2003 away; the sea crashes against the rocks and sends spray into the air, lakes ripple and reflect the swaying trees around them, morning fog drifts across the course and rain lashes down - it's simply stunning. TW2003 manages to unlock that unique feeling of cold, wet, utter despair that is normally reserved for a real life course on a morning so raw you can't even grip the club.

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The television camera angles and commentary are also a class apart. And when you throw in 12 real courses including St Andrews, Sahalee and Royal Birkdale, as well as realistic looking models of Mr Woods and other exceptional athletes like Colin Montgomery, you can't help but feel satisfied.

The follow-through
No surprises so far then. We could have told you ten years ago that TW2003 would look great. EA games always look great. What we could not have told you and what we could never have known is that this particular episode is also immensely playable.

TW2003 is instantly accessible. Beginners are helped along by a selection of AI aids that seem to mysteriously pull the ball towards the hole no matter how much you fluff your shot. As you gradually improve and move up the ranks (there are five ranking levels ranging from amateur to master), these aids disappear until finally you can draw, fade, flop, chip and punch under your own steam, all of course with the added attraction of the TrueSwing mouse interface.

However, in truth, there is a distinct arcade feel to TW2003 due to the amount of help offered. While this is great for those looking for a fun-filled blast with their mates and a few beers, it's not so perfect if you're after that 'simulation' feel. Even the career mode, with its eclectic mixture of tournaments and curious selection of longest drive and closest to the pin putting competitions, has a sort of cute Pilotwings feel to it, rather than the raw feeling of proper golf.

pro/am
When it comes to sheer playability though, TW2003 cannot be faulted. As for whether it's better than Links 2003? It completely depends on what you want from a golf game. If, like we said, you're happy with an easy to play game experience and a couple of mates by your side then Tiger Woods is the one for you. (Although maybe you should buy a PS2 instead, you pussy.)

If, on the other hand, you want a more serious golf game, with more stats and more shot options, stick to Links 2003.

Keith Pullin