Tiger Woods 08 impressions

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:02 pm

Picked up the PSP version today and am hugely (and pleasantly) surprised - it only took four tries, but I think this is the PSP golf game we all hoped could happen.

Core gameplay is a lot like 07 but the analog stick seems to be finally implemented to the point where where you don't want to rip it out and throw it across the room. Putting is not the crapshoot it has been since 06. Graphics seem to be slightly better and the whole thing loads a lot faster. Much to my surprise, I really like the mini games to relieve the pressure and the whole confidence thing. It is great to be able to see stats for each hole and club (finally!) I also like the risk indicator and the caddy warnings when you're about to do something foolhardy.

On the downside, I'm a little worried about it being overall too easy. I won my first career tournament and every training session on the first try. I will sheepishly admit to having a very hard time making par with ALL past PSP versions with created players, despite seemingly everyone complaining that these versions were too easy. I'm actually hoping that the rubberband AI kicks in soon to up the challenge, or the tournament mode is going to get old real quick.

Only other beef is with the variety of courses - almost all are parkland-type with no desert, tropical, etc.

In short, it's a very solid title. But if you've found the past versions too easy then you might want to rent it first.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:37 am

Picked up the 360 version and I played a couple of courses. An improvement over 07 indeed. I am using the 3 click swing except when I putt. It's nice that you can change it on the fly per se, instead of pausing the game first. I just wished there was a save-in feature.

Blub on the PSP go under course options and you can alter the difficulty of the course, including the speed of the greens, how difficult the rough can be, etc. Agree it's a fine game on the portable.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:53 am

Tjung'd it last night at the game store. It seems like a nice improvement.

My biggest gripe (same as all version of this game) is that you STILL cannot just build a charecter and distribute a set # of attributes to the list of skills!?!? Like Fight Night, I want to just be able to build my own character and be able to have an option of creating his stats right away rather than having to play through all the career stuff to slowly build him up. Why can't they just give me that option??? You don't have to give the ability to max every skill out, just give a set # of points to distribute and let me figure out where to add them. Didn't the PC version let you do this a couple years back (and maybe still do)?

The interface is also confusing as hell when trying to play two players on the same console with created characters. Typical EA. Took me and a co-worker 20 minutes and still could not figure out how to play 2 players with each of our created characters. We ended up having to share a controller. WTF!?!?

Also, I was really hoping that you could use the 3 click system on Tour Pro difficulty! I have grown tired of the swing stick. Does anyone know if Tour Pro is basically the same as the next level down but just restricts the 3 click method? That would be great if that was the case.

I want to like this game SO badly! Seriously. But these fwe things just make the game a drag for me.

The presentation was top notch and the physics seemed awesome.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:21 pm

Spooky wrote:1. My biggest gripe (same as all version of this game) is that you STILL cannot just build a charecter and distribute a set # of attributes to the list of skills!?!? Like Fight Night, I want to just be able to build my own character and be able to have an option of creating his stats right away rather than having to play through all the career stuff to slowly build him up. Why can't they just give me that option??? You don't have to give the ability to max every skill out, just give a set # of points to distribute and let me figure out where to add them. Didn't the PC version let you do this a couple years back (and maybe still do)?

2. The interface is also confusing as hell when trying to play two players on the same console with created characters. Typical EA. Took me and a co-worker 20 minutes and still could not figure out how to play 2 players with each of our created characters. We ended up having to share a controller. WTF!?!?

3. Also, I was really hoping that you could use the 3 click system on Tour Pro difficulty! I have grown tired of the swing stick. Does anyone know if Tour Pro is basically the same as the next level down but just restricts the 3 click method? That would be great if that was the case.

1. MS will be releasing DLC that will allow you to buy a full maxed out Golfer. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, but I do find the character creation process to be somewhat of a tedious exercise and it gets longer each year. I personally wish they would do away with attributes and give every user the same attributes and let their skills with the controller dictate how well they play the game.

2. Could not agree more.

3. Hard is just below TOUR Pro and it is a tad less challenging.

Hope that helps...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:23 pm

DivotMaker wrote:
Spooky wrote:1. My biggest gripe (same as all version of this game) is that you STILL cannot just build a charecter and distribute a set # of attributes to the list of skills!?!? Like Fight Night, I want to just be able to build my own character and be able to have an option of creating his stats right away rather than having to play through all the career stuff to slowly build him up. Why can't they just give me that option??? You don't have to give the ability to max every skill out, just give a set # of points to distribute and let me figure out where to add them. Didn't the PC version let you do this a couple years back (and maybe still do)?

2. The interface is also confusing as hell when trying to play two players on the same console with created characters. Typical EA. Took me and a co-worker 20 minutes and still could not figure out how to play 2 players with each of our created characters. We ended up having to share a controller. WTF!?!?

3. Also, I was really hoping that you could use the 3 click system on Tour Pro difficulty! I have grown tired of the swing stick. Does anyone know if Tour Pro is basically the same as the next level down but just restricts the 3 click method? That would be great if that was the case.
1. MS will be releasing DLC that will allow you to buy a full maxed out Golfer. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, but I do find the character creation process to be somewhat of a tedious exercise and it gets longer each year. I personally wish they would do away with attributes and give every user the same attributes and let their skills with the controller dictate how well they play the game.

2. Could not agree more.

3. Hard is just below TOUR Pro and it is a tad less challenging.

Hope that helps...

Thanks dude!

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:25 pm

Can you use the 3 click swing online?

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:29 pm

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:30 pm

Odd, my daughter and I figured out how to play together in minutes.

I just logged her on and signed her into Tiger, created a character and quit out. Then, when we went to play and she hit "Join" it automatically joined as her created golfer.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:37 pm

TCrouch wrote:Odd, my daughter and I figured out how to play together in minutes.

I just logged her on and signed her into Tiger, created a character and quit out. Then, when we went to play and she hit "Join" it automatically joined as her created golfer.

That's because kids understand EA's logic.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:42 pm

It's not that difficult to play two players. You go to stroke play, and when you select the character (pressing left and right to cycle through them), you can press up/down to select who is going to control each player. Player 1, Player 2, CPU. Wow...rocket science. It doesn't hold your hand though...you're right. I guess they think that people will be able to figure it out.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:43 pm

I just got back from vacation and haven't reread the 6 pages here, so forgive me if this has been answered, but here is my question:

-Is the PC version better to get than the 360 version? In the past, the PC version was always better and more challenging than the console version. Is this still the case?

It sounds like this game is a must buy this year...the only problem I have is which platform?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:46 pm

PC Version SUCKS. Read the thread...that's why it's here.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:48 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:It's not that difficult to play two players. You go to stroke play, and when you select the character (pressing left and right to cycle through them), you can press up/down to select who is going to control each player. Player 1, Player 2, CPU. Wow...rocket science. It doesn't hold your hand though...you're right. I guess they think that people will be able to figure it out.

i couldn't figure out how to use my created golfer and my GF's created golfers in 07...

there are definite issues with some of the menus of EA products...

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:48 pm

Gamespots review indicates there are more problems with the 360 version than the PS3. They even go as far to say that the PS3 is the better choice of the two. Strange, an EA game that's possibly better on the PS3? Who would have thunk it?

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/tige ... id=6177870

"People who worry about yearly releases diluting the quality of games have plenty of ammo in the form of Tiger Woods 08. The changes to the gameplay are minimal, and some of them make the game worse. There are only five new courses, and many new features don't feel fleshed out, don't work well, or flat-out don't work. The PlayStation 3 version is the one to go with if you have the choice. It's a good game with fewer issues than the 360. Xbox 360 owners should just stick with Tiger Woods 07."

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:55 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Strange, an EA game that's possibly better on the PS3? Who would have thunk it?

The frozen devil.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:05 pm

Well, personally I think it's a b.s. review by GS. I'm almost certain the 360 looks better, but beyond that the gameplay has made significant strides that '08 is clearly more challenging than '07.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:18 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:It's not that difficult to play two players. You go to stroke play, and when you select the character (pressing left and right to cycle through them), you can press up/down to select who is going to control each player. Player 1, Player 2, CPU. Wow...rocket science. It doesn't hold your hand though...you're right. I guess they think that people will be able to figure it out.

It wasn't that easy when we were trying to use both of our created players and profiles. Seriously. And I tend to think I am semi-intelligent.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:44 pm

JackB1 wrote:I just got back from vacation and haven't reread the 6 pages here, so forgive me if this has been answered, but here is my question:

-Is the PC version better to get than the 360 version? In the past, the PC version was always better and more challenging than the console version. Is this still the case?

It sounds like this game is a must buy this year...the only problem I have is which platform?

Jack I have the PC version as well and I like it. Right now it has less issues than the 360 version as it should just like Madden on the PC.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:49 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Gamespots review indicates there are more problems with the 360 version than the PS3. They even go as far to say that the PS3 is the better choice of the two. Strange, an EA game that's possibly better on the PS3? Who would have thunk it?

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/tige ... id=6177870

"People who worry about yearly releases diluting the quality of games have plenty of ammo in the form of Tiger Woods 08. The changes to the gameplay are minimal, and some of them make the game worse. There are only five new courses, and many new features don't feel fleshed out, don't work well, or flat-out don't work. The PlayStation 3 version is the one to go with if you have the choice. It's a good game with fewer issues than the 360. Xbox 360 owners should just stick with Tiger Woods 07."

It's strange because GS rates the PS3 version higher but the users say the 360 is the one to have.

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 2:28 pm

10spro wrote:Blub on the PSP go under course options and you can alter the difficulty of the course, including the speed of the greens, how difficult the rough can be, etc. Agree it's a fine game on the portable.

Thanks - I'll try that, but does it work for career events as well?

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:31 pm

Spooky wrote:It wasn't that easy when we were trying to use both of our created players and profiles. Seriously. And I tend to think I am semi-intelligent.

Were you both signed in under separate XBox usernames? Seriously, I was logged in as me, my daughter was logged in as hers, both of us had saved golfers under our profiles. As soon as she joined, it instantly brought up her golfer without any intervention at all.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:33 pm

Rodster wrote: Jack I have the PC version as well and I like it. Right now it has less issues than the 360 version as it should just like Madden on the PC.

You like it and Db says it "sucks". Is the freezing issue the only major issue with the 360 version, because they are supposidly coming out with a patch to fix that. Gamespot sure gave it a rough review. 65% I think it was?

Gamepot is usually pretty accurate with their reviews, but that specific reviewer sure sounds like he has an agenda.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:33 pm

I've read many reviews around the net and in publications and all I can say is to enjoy the difficulty this year fellas. Almost every review seems to complain about the sensitivity of the analog controls and harp on the game's difficulty.

I'm sure next year we'll shooting in the 50's again strait out of the box.

Combine the reviews complaining about the difficulty and the surge of "casual" games I can only see things going downhill for the sim style game. And that's across all sports genres IMO.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:36 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Well, personally I think it's a b.s. review by GS. I'm almost certain the 360 looks better, but beyond that the gameplay has made significant strides that '08 is clearly more challenging than '07.

It is a BS review when you consider what he/she posted for the "BAD":

1) Analog swing is too touchy
2) Many features don't work well, if at all
3) Doesn't play as well as last year
4) Crashes make it impossible to finish Tiger Challenge.

1. Someone who does not play Golf games reviewing a Golf game. *SIGH*

2. MOST features work perfectly. The few that do not are being addressed.

3. Absolute horsecrap.

4. Absolute horsecrap. I am down to 5 events left on Tiger Challenge and breezed right through the two that have been reported as freeze issues (Carnoustie challenge and Adam Scott challenge).

"Reviewers" like this simply give good games a bad rating because they don't know what they are talking about. TW08 is NOT perfect and as such does not deserve as high a score if the issues did not exist. But it is FAR better than a 6.5 according to the feedback I am seeing on the TW-related forums. Hell, even the users score at Gamespot UK is an 8.0 as of this writing....

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:58 pm

JackB1 wrote:
Rodster wrote: Jack I have the PC version as well and I like it. Right now it has less issues than the 360 version as it should just like Madden on the PC.
You like it and Db says it "sucks". Is the freezing issue the only major issue with the 360 version, because they are supposidly coming out with a patch to fix that. Gamespot sure gave it a rough review. 65% I think it was? Gamepot is usually pretty accurate with their reviews, but that specific reviewer sure sounds like he has an agenda.

The two biggest problems with TW 08(PC) is a) no course editor so you can't import additional courses. b) The other is a stuttering in the graphics if you play it in super high resolution like db was try to run it in.

Those are the only two complaints I can think of right now. I play the game in 1280x1024x32 and the game is silky smooth with the exception of the very first shot in the game on any course. There's always a slight pause. After that it's forever smooth thru out the game. I also play the game with all the graphics settings maxed out too and it looks good.