Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

[RaychelSnr]

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is the latest iteration of EA Sports' golf series that has prominently featured Tiger on the cover for the better part of the last 10 years.

While the series has seen some controversy, EA has stood by its man so far. However, EA decided to hedge its bets somewhat by taking Tiger off the cover of most versions of the game this year, replacing him instead with the most prestigious course and tournament in golf.

Beyond the debut of Augusta National and the Masters in video games, there are also new golfers and the usual selection of new courses and our old favorites. But does all of this equal a great game of golf? The answer to that question depends on what you want out of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters.

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[rangerrick012]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

Well I think how much you enjoy the game depends upon how much you like/dislike the caddy feature, and it sounds to me like you didn't like the caddy at all or see any positives to it whatsoever. I personally don't like the caddy, but can see how for the casual gamer it's a good addition. Just wish that EA would patch in the option to turn the caddy off completely, especially on tournament difficulty. I disagree that it's just a game of 'hitting the percentages' though.

I still think the addition of the Masters as well as the tournament difficulty (save for the caddy) make this a solid upgrade, but again it all goes back to how much you hate the caddy, and it seems like you hated him and found no benefit whatsoever.

[Dazraz]

I don't think I've ever read a review where I agree with every single point that has been made. Your evaluation of PGA 12 is spot on.

Totally agree with your comments regarding EA's efforts to bring a broadcast & player perspective style into one package & falling short on both. Reiterating your point regarding the Caddy. Having a caddy who gives you tips on preparing for your next shot would be a good thing. Having a caddy who pinpoints your exact shot location is totally unrealistic.

On PGA 11 I fely EA had made some good strides forward, this years effort appears more of a stumble forward.

[jestep123]

Color me a casual gamer or maybe just ignorant enough about golf but I love the game.

There are alot of advantages to not knowing every nuance of a sport.

[speels]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

I agree they need to give us the option of using the caddy or not, but in all honesty................name 1 PGA golfer that doesn't use a caddy.
Is it annoying? I'm sure it is for some, but if I had the opportunity in my life to have a fulltime caddy that helped me aim and knew exactly how far I hit the clubs and could read a break for me on the green, I would have one in a second.

Sure casual gamers will like it because it makes the game easier, but if you have ever golfed at a high level you would know that having a caddie that knows you well can take you from a +3 handicap to a scratch golfer easily. Two sets of eyes on the green alone can save you 2-3 strokes a game.

I guess I just wish people weren't so quick to "hate" this feature as it makes the game more realistic IMHO. I mean football teams don't just leave the game calling up to QB's, they have pritnouts and pictures and coaches helping them to find weaknesses in the other teams defense. Take replays out of a football game and tell me how good it is. (I am talking for hard core gamers that study the game)

Again, I completely agree there should be an option to turn it off, but I don't see it as an absolute disaster like many do.

[kerosene31]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

The caddy is not realistic in any way. You never have to aim, just make the shot.

The way true aim worked in TW11 was way, way more realistic in my opinion.

TW games in the past few years have done a great job catering to casual players and those seeking much more realism with options, etc. The fact that you have to play the game one way is completely puzzling.

Based on the demo I'm glad I didn't buy this. I will just play TW11 for another year. That is one of the best golf games in recent years.

[OpusX910]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

The caddy is not realistic in any way. You never have to aim, just make the shot.

The way true aim worked in TW11 was way, way more realistic in my opinion.

TW games in the past few years have done a great job catering to casual players and those seeking much more realism with options, etc. The fact that you have to play the game one way is completely puzzling.

Based on the demo I'm glad I didn't buy this. I will just play TW11 for another year. That is one of the best golf games in recent years.

As someone who has played tournament golf with a caddy (and failed miserably), this is exactly what my caddy did for me most of the time. They suggest an exact shot to hit, if you agree with him/her, all you're left to do is hit the shot. My caddy knew my game probably better than I did.

As far as the caddy in the game, I hate it....the game was already easy and this makes it easier....like many have said I just want the option to turn it off.

[statum71]

I think I'll just keep my Tiger Woods 10.

I'm disappointed you can't turn off that caddie. I'm really really big on broadcast presentation. Not that TW10 was perfect....but its closer than that.

I figured with Jim Nantz and Augusta they would go all out to make the game seem like a Sunday telecast.

[kerosene31]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

As someone who has played tournament golf with a caddy (and failed miserably), this is exactly what my caddy did for me most of the time. They suggest an exact shot to hit, if you agree with him/her, all you're left to do is hit the shot. My caddy knew my game probably better than I did.

As far as the caddy in the game, I hate it....the game was already easy and this makes it easier....like many have said I just want the option to turn it off.

The caddie did not line up your body for the shot and tell you to let it go. Club selection and shot, sure, but I bet your caddie knew distances to the front of the green, etc. TW12 has none of this.

It would be like buying a Call of Duty game and having someone else aim for you.

Even as annoying as it is to turn off every hole, you still can't use the camera properly to manage your shots.

[DivotMaker]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

Based on the demo I'm glad I didn't buy this. I will just play TW11 for another year. That is one of the best golf games in recent years.

If you ignore the Caddy which I do, I find TW12 FAR more challenging in Tournament difficulty than I ever did with TW11....sorry to hear you will be missing out.

[kerosene31]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

If you ignore the Caddy which I do, I find TW12 FAR more challenging in Tournament difficulty than I ever did with TW11....sorry to hear you will be missing out.

I cannot play without the putting meter. Tournament difficulty is not an option for me. Sorry. I know you love the game but I want to play with the putting meter on with true aim, and I can't do that anymore.

I honestly don't know how any human can make a putt without the meter. TW11 putting with the meter was perfect realism for me. I would two putt most reasonable putts, but still miss the occasional short one (as well as drain the occasional longer one). Speed was a little easy to manage, but you still had to get the combo of speed and line right.

I really would like to buy this game if I thought I would enjoy it. The graphics are a huge step up. EA just took the game I loved and removed my style of play on it.

[DivotMaker]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

Putting in 12 is far more realistic and challenging than 11, IMO. And I really thought 11 was challenging, but it pales in comparison to 12 so far for me. I will admit it takes alot of practice, but draining birdie and par-saving putts is very rewarding. I have always wanted a Golf game that challenged me to break par, but I am finding 12 challenging me to MAKE par in Tournament difficulty. I'm really immersed in the challenge 12 provides. Sorry 12 doesn't interest you...

[BDawg35]

I haven't played T-Woods since the PS2 days. I played the demo last night and thought, "WTF." There was no way to aim the ball myself. My first drive was outstanding. Hated the caddy feature. Couldn't figure out what was up with putting. This review cinches it - I won't be getting the game, as much as I love the addition of Augusta. I may just get an older copy to get my T-Woods fix on the PS3. At least I won't have to spend much money.

[kerosene31]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

Putting in 12 is far more realistic and challenging than 11, IMO. And I really thought 11 was challenging, but it pales in comparison to 12 so far for me. I will admit it takes alot of practice, but draining birdie and par-saving putts is very rewarding. I have always wanted a Golf game that challenged me to break par, but I am finding 12 challenging me to MAKE par in Tournament difficulty. I'm really immersed in the challenge 12 provides. Sorry 12 doesn't interest you...

Putting is much, much harder (not something I asked for). Meterless putting is something I knew of only a few people wanting, now it is the only way to get a realistic game?

Meterless putting is lunacy with a tiny thumbstick. 10 feet on the green is tiny millimeters of pressure on the stick. I could go out on a PGA Tour Green for real and do better.

True aim in TW11 is way more realistic for approach shots. Even tournament difficulty makes aiming approach shots easy. We're back to the magic aiming camera even if I pick true aim.

They forced meterless putting on me, and removed my favorite part of the game.

[kerosene31]

Re: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Review (PS3)

I figured out why all my shots are wild, when you disable the caddy, he still will put fade or draw or whatever he thinks on your club and you have to change it yourself to just hit it straight.