Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07

In Tiger Woods 07, players will encounter (and control) 50 new golfers, including 21 of the world's top players. Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh – who doesn't want to step into their shoes? Twenty-one new courses have been added, including several that are licensed by the PGA Tour: Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Riviera Country Club, and The K Club, etc. The PGA Tour season mode is back with shootouts, challenges, championships, coast-to-coast classics, and more. Fantasy courses are also a part of the experience, adding a bit of fantastical fun to the selection. 

The Game Face feature has been given a few tweaks, allowing players to more accurately define the shape and size of their homegrown golfers. Facial adjustments are about where they were at last year, just a little more precise. You'll have an easier time lining up the eyes, or spreading them apart if that's the kind of character you wish to create. (Halloween is coming up, so why not?) Facial hair is still limited by pre-sets, while the hair on your golfer's head may be expanded to near-goofy levels.

New ESPN Integration brings the ESPN ticker, ESPN Radio updates, and ESPNEWS. I prefer to use the Web, but at least it's there if I absolutely must know the latest updates and can't leave my PlayStation 2 long enough to access my computer.

Team Tour Mode is this year's biggest addition. Whereas other sports games only have a fixed season mode, or a Dynasty/Manager mode that lets you fool around with dozens of technical aspects, Team Tour centers on the action between you and your opponents. 

The initial goal is to get out there and win. The long-term goal is to show Tiger Woods that you're the best golfer on the planet. You do this by traveling the world in search of new competitors. This is done via a 3D map that lets you hop from battle to battle with the press of a button. Once a few wins have been had, you'll start to gain a reputation. Players are expected to use their success not just for bragging, but also to assemble the best team possible.

The top team is awarded the EA Cup. When the time finally comes to face Tiger Woods (after dozens of holes against golf superstars and a few nobodies), you'll be ready. If not, don’t sweat it – this is a game. You can't make an omelet without hitting the reset button.

Hoping to make the game accessible to every type of player, EA has included a ton of difficulty customization options. Adjust your swing (driver, short irons, putter, etc.) and/or change the environment (green speed/hardness, fairway speed, rough length, wind strength). The power, accuracy, and recovery of AI opponents may also be increased or decreased. 

Tiger Woods 07's mini-games and multiplayer modes (online and offline) have opened the door to hours of replay value. Skillzone challenges your ability to hit the bull's eye in a number of outrageous situations. Targets are placed all over a fantasy course. One mistake and your ball will end up in the water.

The arcade-style setup for some of the multiplayer modes is cool, to say the least. Characters are chosen via a selection screen that looks an awful lot like NFL Blitz. And since this is a golf game, you don't need more than one controller to participate in four-player matches offline – just take turns passing around a single Dual-Shock 2.

Confused about how to perform a particular swing? No need to glance at the manual or look up info online – if you need to know how to do something, check out the video tutorials. "Oh no, not a tutorial." That'd be my usual response, but these Madden-style tutorials give a brief overview of new and returning swings, explaining how each is performed in plain English. You don't get to try out the move immediately following the explanation (an option other games have had for years – let's hope Tiger Woods 08 catches on). But if you can pick up a controller, you shouldn't have any trouble following (and remembering) these mechanics. 

I've got my clubs, but...where's my camera?
I need to get a shot of that sunset before making a hole-in— oh who am I kidding?
I'm gonna bogey this one anyway. Might as well enjoy the eye candy. 

Tiger Woods 07 isn't a massive leap over last year's game. But the new content is great, and the returning features have stood the test of time – they're still the best in the league. Anyone who enjoys golf games will find a zillion things to love about this one. The Team Tour Mode is all the game needed to make it fly off Blockbuster's shelves. And the rest? It justifies a purchase.

Gameplay: 8.5
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 features the best controls and game modes available. The real-world licensed courses are great, as are the fantasy designs, and the dozens of new golfers added to the mix. Players will be hooked on the Team Tour Mode for hours – not just because it’s challenging, but also because you’ll want to keep playing. And when the single-player fun starts to dwindle, you’ve got a cornucopia of multiplayer options to look forward to.

Graphics: 7.0
I can’t tell the difference between Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07. There wouldn’t be anything wrong with that if they were the exact same game made for two different consoles, in which case both titles should look equally impressive. As an update that’s come one year after the last, however, 07 is graphically accomplished, but not anywhere near amazing.

Sound: 6.0
Pretty bland. Commentary is repetitive and unexciting, the music is mostly ambient, and the real-world sounds are barely there. I suppose golf is meant to be a quiet sport... But if you’re going to bother including any music at all, the game should at least sound entertaining.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
This one leans more toward an intermediate difficulty rating, especially if you haven’t been staying in shape by playing Tiger Woods 06. The analog swing mechanics are the best in the biz, but will take some time to learn if you have yet to master their most subtle techniques.

Concept: 7.0
Nothing new that’s innovative, just a noteworthy amount of new courses, golfers, and play types.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 has an abundance of entertaining game modes for you and your friends to take on.

Overall: 8.5
Same innovative control scheme as last year’s edition, now with a greater emphasis on using both analog sticks to land the best shot. The new courses were designed with a variety of layouts, ranging from easy to extremely difficult. Dozens of new golfers have been added to extend the amount of interest among characters, and it works. Team Tour Mode is not comparable to EA’s famous Dynasty modes (featured in NHL 07 and other sports games), but that doesn’t stop it from being a fun and entertaining way to take on the world’s best golfers.