Cj Hits the Links with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14
by cjmp, HSM guest contributor
Well, it’s spring time once again (even though it’s still pretty cold here in Chicago) and one of the biggest sporting events in the world makes its “masterful” return this week. And I think you know where I’m going with this! This “masterful” event is called The Masters, and is a very known name in the world of sports and has became an icon worldwide.
Well, what other game brings that realism of the legendary sport of golf and showcases The Masters better than the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series? (Don’t worry, Hot Shots Golf, I still love you!)
The Masters was introduced to gaming fans worldwide back in 2011, when Tiger Woods 12 featured the iconic Augusta National flag on its game cover and was well recieved by fans. This was a year after Tiger Woods 11 featured the Ryder Cup. Having The Masters in the game was the most highly demanded feature in the 28-year history of the franchise, dating back to the days when the game was simply called “PGA Tour Golf”. Now, the game has been revolutionized since the big feature was released, and this year they really put all out there.
The devs over at EA Sports said they wanted “a community heavy game”, meaning almost anything the community wanted was implemented into this year’s game, and it looks great so far. My original plan was to write about the demo, but I was able to get the full version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 just in time to write this piece, and I happened to get the “Historic Edition”, which has the original 1934 layout of Augusta National (which I will get to in a bit), but overall, it has kind of a Tiger Woods 2005 feel.
TW05 was an excellent game, but TW14 also is the best game since Tiger Woods 10 came out, and many die hard fans consider that the greatest Tiger Woods game of all time. But, although the game doesn’t have the feel of Tiger Woods 10, it’s as good as Tiger Woods 10, just in a different way. I haven’t even played every feature yet and I already love it!
When the Historic Edition is first loaded, you’ll notice a cool start screen which features defending Masters champion Bubba Watson and legendary golfer and inventor of Augusta National Golf Club, Bobby Jones. On the side with Bubba Watson, in the background you see Augusta as it is now, while Bobby Jones’ side features Augusta in the 1930’s. I think it’s really cool how they put both eras together on one start screen. This image is also featured on the cover of the Historic Edition as well.
When I entered the game menus, I noticed a screen on the left side and the actual menu on the right, and what’s cool is that the screen on the left is like a quick navigation to some of the new features in the game, like the new career mode which is awesome, as well as a list of all the new features. The menu screen is great, and navigates smoothly. The music is nice, relaxing and easy to listen to, although I do kind of miss the days when they had DMX and Nelly songs in the game (2003 for Nelly and 2004 for DMX) as well as other cool hip hop songs. But the easy listening music this year is very solid and I like hearing it.
I checked out the big new feature, which was the addition of legends. Which is why I said it was reminiscent of Tiger 05 as there were legends featured in that game as well. But this year’s game has at least four or five more legends than back then, and those names being the great Jack Nicklaus, the legendary Bobby Jones who won big tournemnts as an amateur, 5-time major winner Seve Bellesteros, 7-time major winner and American sports icon Arnold Palmer (I drank his amazingly awesome iced tea this morning!), the great (and funny) Lee Trevino, iconic golf legend Ben Hogan, all-time leader in career PGA Tour victories, “Slammin” Sam Snead, the well traveled international golfing legend Gary Player and of course Tiger Woods himself.
Even Young Tom Morris who played way back in the day — back in the 1870’s — is in the game. Except surprisingly, he was not labeled as a legend. I don’t think EA is saying he isn’t a legend, but maybe it’s because of the short role he plays in the “Legends of the Majors” mode, where there is only one challenge featuring the Scotland great. After all, they already have nine legends in the game total. Although, I only played two events in the “Legends of the Majors” mode, I already really like it and am excited to see what happens as I play through this amazing new feature.
Now to the feature I mentioned earlier, the 1934 version of Augusta National Golf Club. I checked it out and it was amazing, as I was really drawn in to the look and feel of the original course. The first awesome thing you’ll notice after the loading screen does its thing is the presentation of the tournament. The Masters started in 1934, but back then it was called the “Augusta Invitational Tournament”, and that’s the first thing you see when you start your round and the broadcast is incredible.
The broadcast is an old fashioned radio broadcast, and it sounds so much like you’re back in time with those huge radios that people had in their houses and you’re tuned in to the first live broadcast of the Augusta Invitational. When I stepped on the first tee I noticed that my created golfer (yup it’s me, yay!) was wearing classic attire like they would wear back then, not to mention the screen had an old fashioned look like you were looking at a silent film or looking through one of the first TV’s that came out in the 40’s. It wasn’t in black and white, but more in a brown color like if you see really old pictures, like an old photograph in motion. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen in a video game to give my player old school attire and the fact that the broadcast presentation was so realistic.
The original layout of Augusta National looks amazing, and you think, “Wow, this is how it all started!” And to be able to play it is even sweeter. There are definitely a lot fewer trees than the current layout, and not as many flowers either. Who would’ve guessed the course was going to grow into the gorgeous place that we know today?
The presentation of the 1934 Augusta feature is what really helped me get reeled in, although it is already awesome. But to have that old school radio broadcast was absolutely astonishing. Great job, EA Sports! By the way, I played at the 1934 course and won with a score of 7 under par, and my created golfer is only a 25 in all of the attribute categories out of 100. So be sure to download the demo if you’re a golf fan — it’s really a great game! Oh, and finally, I would like to mention that you can play golf at night in this game!
April 8th, 2013 by cjmp | 3 comments
cjmp is a former team writer for HomeStation Magazine. He has been in Home since the Open Beta was released back in 2008. And yes, he remembers the days where there were only 4 spaces and open mics in public spaces! He graduated college with a degree in Radio, Television and Online Media. He's a huge sports and gaming fan and hosts as well as produces a golf radio show on SportsTownChicago.com and has interviewed the likes of Scott Walker from Golf Channel and Michael Wilbon of ESPN. He's a proud citizen of Chicago,IL. Feel free to check out his website at gpgolfreport.com !
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Nice review cj. Though not a golf fan myself my ex is a huge one and has all of the Masters and the rest of the four majors recorded for the past 25 years. I have watched many tourneys as well on tv over the years. Good to see someone reviewing games again.
That sounds like a lot of fun. I think I will give this a try.
Yeah guys it’s a real good game. it’s deep. The demo may have a bug or two but don’t they all? lol