Golf Empire

Today EA Sports released their new game Tiger Woods 10. Personally, I am excited for the latest installment of the TW series, as I am a huge golf fan. Many people might wonder what makes the game different from year to year, as the courses don’t change all that much. Well let me tell you what EA has done.

The big new changes include a partnership with the Weather Channel, that allows you to play in the conditions that are actually occurring. So if it is raining in Scotland, then your round at St. Andrews might be a little soggy. Also, conditions change during the round, just like in real life. Another change is the crowd that follows you wherever you go. There was always a meager crowd in previous games, now the developers promise a crowd that is three times as large. And what seems most important to the game is the new tournament feel the game gives. In addition to the larger and louder crowd, there are digital scoreboards, in game updates and reactions to other golfers, during the tournaments. There are also major tournaments, like the US Open for the first time in TWG.

Furthermore, the putting system has been revamped, allowing for a more realistic experience. Instead of the old clunky putting, the new system is smooth, just like real golf. If you are jerky in your motions, then your putting will suffer. This is even more pronounced on the Wii. The developers have really stepped up their game (no pun intended) on the Wii. Using the new, more sensitive Wii Motion Plus controller allows players to actually swing the club at an almost 1:1 ratio on the screen. Although this is really cool, I don’t know if I want to actually swing every single time when I’m playing a game, but maybe I’m just lazy. The launch trailer below is for the Wii (I especially like the frisbee golf minigame).