Tiger 10 Review, NCAA Football Demo

So the past couple of weeks have been busy. I first want to say the NCAA football Demo is out. Will it suffice until the game is out on July 14th? Short answer is no. But more on that later. Before I get to the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 review, I want to congradulate  Lucas Glover on a win at the US Open. The NBA Draft is on Thursday Night. I will do draft grades on my NBA Dish N Swish blog and do a piece here for how it affects next years NBA titles.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10- REVIEW

My biggest complaint over the years for the Tiger series has been the lack of realism. This year they didn’t do a whole bunch to overhaul the lack of realism, but what they did do is make some mechanics hurt you more. My main example is the new putting mechanic. It’s awful. I recommend switching to classic putting. You never get a good feel on your putter distance and I know thats what they were going for. When you play golf in real life you basically adjust your putter stroke to the distance and thats what they go for in Tiger 10 but it doesn’t work. You can miss putts by how you pull the stick back and then push forward. My main problem with the mechanic is that it doesn’t feel like putting. Its not smooth. The best part of the swing mechanic is how smooth and reactive it is.  The swing mechanic is great. It rewards you for a nice smooth tempo-ed swing with accuracy and distance.  But that is another problem they still have the distance boost tap and spin boost tap! Take a page out of the Hot Shots Golf series’ book. Make me  choose my spin before the shot, make me live with that decision. For the power boost, there is truth to players swinging harder for distance in real life.  But make it more risk-reward for the player. In real life if you swing harder for distance there is more of chance you will slice or hook the ball. Factor that into the swing mechanic.  But overall the gameplay is fun. There are just a few things that I would change and EA Sports, I think refuses too.  I think the game would be better.

Game Modes-  I love the PGA Tour season. 4 round tournaments, harder hole placements as the tourny goes on and so on. There’s really not much they can improve on in Season mode besides adding the Ryder Cup and Presidents cup teams that you have to try and make. I always would like to see more of a career mode. Make us earn our Tour card. They use to have this feature in the game but no repercussions. Have us go on the Nationwide tour and earn our merrit on the tour. Also for the first year make us qualify for the Majors especially the “Southern Major” (aka the Masters).  These are wants but could easily be done. But I love playing the season mode. They have done away with the “Tiger Challenge” and now call it “Tournament Challenge”. It’s basically the same thing. But now you earn points to unlock courses. You play through scenarios to earn a certain amount of points. The harder the scenario, the more points you get. The point scale is from 1-4 points. The great thing is that it’s pretty hard to try and unlock all of the challenges in a row. So it encourages you to unlock all of the courses and go through the challenges. What also is nice is that the courses are only locked in the other game modes on the disc, not including PGA Season mode or Online modes. So you can play your friends online or participate in online tournaments. The locked courses only affect the traditional games modes ect. 

Online- The thing I love the most about the Tiger Series this past few years is the addition of Gamernet. I love the little challenges set up by fellow gamers and each hole. It helps you become a better Tiger player. They also added a mode where you play in tour difficulty and play that weeks current PGA event. Nice little touch. They set every player’s ratings at 7.0 and every one plays on an even field. Such a nice touch.

Overall- Tiger 10 is a good game. Probably the best in the series. The problem is there is so much they can do and with no real competitor on the golf market it seems EA is kind of sitting back with Tiger and playing the “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it” card. I would love to see more golfers in the game. Give me 40 or 50 touring pro’s. I don’t care if they aren’t household names. I have mentioned little fixes throughout the review it would be nice if they could implement these features but the game is still a quality game for your money. It’s an expeirence that is fun either by yourself or with friends

My overall score is 84 out of 100.

Now to the NCAA demo. Is it me or should they have not release this demo? It feels way to clunky and seems like a pre E3 build of the game and from what I have heard, it is.  I have heard from many different sources saying the demo is no where close to the build of the game at E3. So why even release it? I am probably the biggest NCAA fan. I look forward to it more than Madden.  But when the demo feels worse than last years game it makes me wonder, especially when I keep seeing amazing gameplay videos from Madden.  I will still buy the game, i am banking on the fact that my other resources have assured me that the game is good and the demo is probably 3-6 months ago.

In the mail this week: I recently subscribed to gamefly. For 2 reasons. Reason 1- games are expensive and Reason 2- I have a better chance at renting a game and playing instead of purchasing one.  So every blog I will update whats in the mail and what i have play. My first game was Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, awesome game, I know it is getting a little old but I hadn’t played it. I should be getting Fight Night Round 4 in the mail this week and look for a full review.

What I am playing?: Pretty self explanitory feature here. On my 360 Tiger 10. The game does get addicting.  On my Ps3 I am playing MLB: The Show 09. I love The Show but I am terrible at it. Baseball games in general are fun to me. But man I am so bad at the show.

My E3 Likes and Dislikes

As promised I am back here tonight, after scouring the internet for E3 coverage. I have been to an E3. I went to 2004’s E3 and it was the best trip of my life. It is something you cannot imagine. Browsing through all the coverage makes me want to go back as soon as I can.  But here are my E3 picks and dissappointments.

Sports Likes

Forza Motorsport 3- I am not that big of a racing fan, but I do enjoy some racing sims like Gran Turismo and Forza. This game has blown my mind. Not just the fact that there is 400 cars in the game but all of the video editing options and car painting customization as well. Let’s not forget this game graphically looks amazing too. Rumor has it is that the game will ship with 2 discs.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online- This really isn’t a super in-depth game but it has the potential to kill work production at work for any golf fan. Reguardless of your PC specs this game will run in an internet browser window. EA Sports even said there would be a free aspect to the game. So you can play a basic version of the game for free. It is not known if you will have to pay for online tournaments and extra courses ect. But for the ultimate pick up and quick play check for this game in the fall of 2009.

IGN’s preview of Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online

NCAA Football 10- There wasn’t a ton of new info for NCAAFootball 10. But the unveiling of Team Builder has this self proclaimed NCAA maniac got going NCAA crazy. Go to Teambuilder.easports.com and play around with it. Plus they reveiled the rosters as well. Go to create team and then to roster and you can check out your favorite team’s roster.

Madden NFL 10- Online franchise. Do I need to say more??? I didn’t think so. There is also  some new additions like the new pro-tak system for gang tackling and the weapons feature is now gone (thank you). Also in franchise mode there are  some new additions in the video below. Its kinda of hard to hear but some great new info and there is a feature called “The Extra Point” in franchise it gives you game recaps, POW, MVP and Award updates and next week previews check it out. Plus the CPU controlled teams will now draft based on need! For a big time franchise nerd like myself this is huge!

ModNation Racers- This is not a hardcore sports game or racing game by any means. But If you like Little Big Planet at all you will love this game. Again I am not a hardcore racing fan but this game just looks intriguing. This game won’t be out until 2010 but here is the demo from Sony’s press conference.

Sports Dislikes

Backbreaker- There was no new info on this game. I don’t understand why they didn’t bring anything to E3. This was their chance and they blew it.

Tony Hawk: Ride- There are mixed impressions over this game. the overall impression I get is that it doesn’t completely work.  The fact that the game will probably cost around $120, whats the point? expecially with project natal.

NON Sports Likes

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction- I am not a splinter cell fan at all. I’m not good at stealth games and they always kind of moved slow. But Splinter Cell Conviction looks like it plays like “Bourne Ultimatum” for a video game. This game looks amazing. The only thing is that the main character looks like Brett Favre… Does that mean John Madden will be int this game?

Halo 3 ODST- This game takes place 3 weeks before where Halo 3 starts off. You are not master chief. Your basically an infantry soldier. This game is a open world game in the Halo universe. It looks great as well. Plus if you haven’t downloaded any of the Halo 3 multiplayer map packs you get all 24 on the game disc with the game.

Star Wars: The Old Republic- I am not a MMORPG player at all. I have never played one. They really aren’t my cup of tea. But this trailer alone makes me very interested in this game. The fact I’m a Star Wars nerd makes me want to try this one out. Oh Yeah BioWare is making it!

God of War III- Wow is all I can say. I have played parts of the first two but this game looks great. This is also 2010 release. A lot of PS3 exclusives were at E3. This Demo is very nice and gory and full of pure action.

Mass Effect 2- I am pumped for this game. Make sure you play “Mass Effect” before the the second one. All of your decisions in this game will impact Mass Effect 2. I am really looking forward to playing through this game. But where will I find the time?

Project Natal- Just watch the video. If you haven’t heard about it yet. This video is from Microsoft’s presser. This is amazing

Notables: New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports Resort looks cool. So does Mario Galaxy 2 but that is 2010. But Where is the Nintendo Wii going? Assassins Creed 2 that game looks great. There are so many titles this year. How about Alan Wake? This game has been in development for 3 years and its made by the people who made Max Payne. Can you say awesome quick enough?v An  XBLA game from Epic (the makers of Gears of War) called Shadow Complex. It looks like Bionic Commando Rearmed, but you can shoot towards the camera or into the background as well. Gran Turismo 5 but again its 2010! What the hell Sony? Uncharted 2 looks great and its out this fall! Oh I almost for got Crackdown 2!!! And the city is full of zombies! I love the original Crackdown. I can’t wait for this game. It is truly a sequel that I am anticipating.

NON Sports Dislikes

Nintendo- As a whole. Really Wii Motion plus? Why didn’t you include this when the system was being created?  I am looking forward to New Super Mario Bros. Wii but thats the big game this year? really? No Zelda reveil just artwork? your killing me Nintendo.

Most Sony games for 2010- Maybe this should be good. But God of War III, Gran Turismo 5 and Modnation Racers to name some are all next year.

PSP Go- I am not into handhelds. I am not 12 years old anymore. Why focus on this? How many grown gamers still buy a portable game system?

The Hype for Modern Warfare 2- Maybe its because I am not that big of a FPS fan but this game looks like the other Call of Duty games? Atleast the gameplay is good. But it all looks the same to me. Maybe that’s how FPS fans feel about Madden though?

MAG- 256 people at one time. Really? There is no way it will work. Sony invest your time and money into something more worth while than a game called Massive Action Game. How many suckers are going to buy this game?

Wrap-Up: I thought this E3 had way more amazing moments than dissappointments. Microsoft and Sony showing off motion controls. Maybe they can get it right because it seems Nintendo is content being the casual system. There are so many awesome games coming out in the next 12 months. E3 is back and Gaming is not going anywhere. This show is why I am proud to be a gamer. Games press computer technology to it’s limits and they are interactive and fun. I would much rather play video games than watch movies. My show winner of the show is Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction. I am not a fan of the series and I already pre-ordered it. That is saying something. Tiger 10 comes out in a couple of weeks then a month after We get NCAA.  With Fight Night Round 4 sandwiched in between. For us sports gamers the year is starting now.

Intro and Motion controls in sports games

So about me and this blog plus some E3 thoughts. First off I am a sports fanatic. I love most all sports. I also write a blog called NBA Dish N Swish here on WordPress. I have many people telling me I need to update it which I need too.  I will try to update this as often as I can. My main focus of this blog is focusing on sports gaming. I don’t think us sports gamers get the attention we should from the gaming community, when we are some of the most loyal and dedicated gamers. I am knowledgable about both games and I am more knowledgable in sports. I feel by reading this you will not only see a unique point of view but one that is not completely bias towards system, team or company.

So about my favorites. My system of choice is the Xbox 360, but I own a PS3 and a Wii. This blog is geared towards the 360 and PS3.  my favorite game is NCAA Football. I play that more than any other game. I also buy Madden and NBA 2k every year. Heck I gave NBA Live a shot this year (they have a ways to go to get 2k). I do like EA Sports. I think there are things they can focus on and make their games better. I will not be afraid to call foul or give praise. I also love golf. I play in my personal life and I think some of the best sports game expeirences are golf games. Tiger is not even my favorite golf game. The Hot Shots  Golf series is. HSG is more realistic of a golf game, even if it is a cartoon. But that is a topic of another blog which will becoming after I get Tiger 10. I am not much of an online player. I like playing with my friends. But I hate cheesing. I like to play the sports as it as meant to be played and expoiting glitches is not a fun gameplay expeirence for me. I love playing in dynasty or franchise modes. Building teams  from nothing is my favorite thing to do.

So my first topic I want to speak about is probably the biggest topic at this year’s E3. That is motion controls. Now they aren’t new by any means but the Wii doesn’t exactly have a true sports sim that actually works. So what is the future of sports games? Especially sports sims. I personally do not want to have to do a throw motion to throw a fade pass in Madden. That’s the reason I play the video game, I’m terrible at football. I love the sport but to think I could even remotely channel my inner Peyton Manning is ridiculous or shoot fade away jumpers like Kobe Bryant. Sports sims will always need a controller. You cannot simulate a professional sport or major college sports with motion controls. I see a trend of terrible games that use motion controls and I am not only saying with sports. Lets face it, motion controls are cool and innovative and for some games could work well. The 1:1 movement ratio is huge. Tiger Woods 09 All-Play on the Wii is a dissappointed. Tiger 10 looks good but is golf and tennis the only sports that will be good motion control games? That’s how I see it. I will probably never buy NCAA, Madden, an NBA game or MLB game that uses full motion controls.  Baseball may work but running the bases and fielding will be the hardest to work out. But as I see it now, no serious sports gamer will adopt full motion controls for their favorite sports sims. Why? because then it would be a real sim.

The other thing I wanted to touch on was NCAA Football 10’s team builder. WOW the site is great and You can see all the rosters and ratings for every player in the game. Last night I created the Nevada State Outlaws and gave them the “Average Joe” roster but the customization they give you is amazing. I am not much of a create-a-team guy. I prefer to us my Oregon State Beavers in a dynasty and make them great. But I see me using the Nevada St team while I wait for good rosters to be made.  My 360 gamertag is B2th3myth check out my team on teambuilder and check out the site if you haven’t, go to teambuilder.easports.com.

That is all I have for today. Expect another E3 blog on Friday where I highlight the top games I am looking forward to this year. It will include non sports game as well.