Links 2004 to TW 06 comparisons?

[inkcil]

Anyone with both games have a take on this?


I'm going to take a "fluff" perspective. Other may chime in with gameplay and graphical comparisons, of course.

The one thing that stand out to me is that TW 06 has more game modes and comes off as being more "fun." The Rivals time-travel thing is pretty cool, etc.

But the thing I liked about Links was the atmosphere. Competent announcing. Crowds and galleries. I don't understand why TW doesn't have any of that stuff.

[sdrotar]

Re: Links 2004 to TW 06 comparisons?

Well, we'll have a full review soon enough, but here's my two cents...

Links is still unmatched on the course itself, but this year's Tiger made great strides - assuming you turn off the power boost, spin control, Gamebreakers and play on Tour difficulty.

I prefer sim play in my golf games; if I preferred arcade play, then Tiger wins, hands-down.

However, with all the arcade bells and whistles turned off, I've been having fun with Tiger.
The right-stick "Shape" control is clever and effective (and removes the need for the hokey "spin control" anyway), and the Tour mode is rather unforgiving; especially in deep rough.
The biggest positive change, in my opinion, has to do with the lies.
Until this year, your lie (when uphill or downhill) made no difference whatsoever. Now it does. A right-handed golfer will have to aim to the right on an uphill lie, knowing that the ball naturally will kick left - as it should. The wind also seems to pack a bigger punch, affecting the flight of the ball more, and not every approach sticks on the green as if it were Velcro.

All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised. It takes shutting off every single arcade element for me - but if I do - I can enjoy Tiger, and it remains highly accessible to the non-gamer.
I can play a round with my wife, and she can enjoy it, too. That's uncommon in my house.

I'm the biggest Links fan you'll find, but the last game is two years old, and many gamers want something fresher. Tiger is that, and does have enough game modes to keep things interesting.

At it's heart, it's still a dumbed-down on-course experience - in other words, don't expect the sim-styled PC version on consoles - but it's finally heading in the right direction... just not on default settings.

[JRod]

Re: Links 2004 to TW 06 comparisons?

Shawn for those of us that don't have the game yet (rental possibly) what are some of the gameplay differences.

As much I think Links is a great game, even that game made it entirely too easy to hit the fairways. Hitting greens, chipping and making putts was different.

Is Tiger all about shooting under 60 even with the aids and arcade stuff off? Or is there room to miss a green, miss a fairway because you didn't line up correctly or you had a miss hit?

[Yosemite Dan]

Re: Links 2004 to TW 06 comparisons?

I think the best thing about Links was the intuitive putting in advance mode where it was totally by feel, is TW modelled the same way where it's just as difficult. I know there is some putting meter guaging how far back you take the putter, can that be turned off which adds to the difficulty?

As mentioned previously has the sensitivity of TW been increased at least to the level of Links where it's not a given that it will go straight off the tee. In previous TW games you couldn't miss the fairways or shank any shot even if you tried to on purpose.

I'm glad to hear that the rough and wind is more effective. This will make it tolerable until the next Links. I just wanna a game where you feel great shooting in the 60's and can just as easy shoot a 76 the next round.

[sdrotar]

Re: Links 2004 to TW 06 comparisons?

Shawn for those of us that don't have the game yet (rental possibly) what are some of the gameplay differences.

As much I think Links is a great game, even that game made it entirely too easy to hit the fairways. Hitting greens, chipping and making putts was different.

Is Tiger all about shooting under 60 even with the aids and arcade stuff off? Or is there room to miss a green, miss a fairway because you didn't line up correctly or you had a miss hit?

It's still too easy, IMO. I don't shank much (but to be fair, I didn't much with Links, either), but the rough really affects your shot, and since the ball doesn't stick to the greens so much on approach, you'll see a decent amount of balls roll on to the apron.

I mean, when you come down to it, it's still Tiger - it's an arcade game.
However, there's more challenge to it than in the past, and that's a welcome change. It's certainly not Links on the course, but it's honestly not as far from it as you might expect.

It's definitely worth renting to see how it suits you.