Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 Xbox 360 Review

The verdict on the Xbox 360 edition of the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 is very clear: it is a significant improvement over the previous version. The makers should treat this as a compliment, considering how well the PGA Tour 10 was received. Certain features have been added this time round which have significantly enhanced the challenge and the strategy involved in the game, and given users the options of playing a very realistic game of golf. Of course, to serve the interests of beginners, setting options are still there to make easy birdies and eagles and learn the game gradually.

One of the important strategy additions on the PGA Tour 11 is the limited player focus system. What this means is that every time one begins a game, one gets a fixed and limited amount of focus, and this gets depleted every time one uses the special playing aids, such as spinning the ball, striking at more than maximum power and using the putt preview feature. Essentially, one can no longer indefinitely rely on these special powers while playing a round. Use the focus feature too frequently, and you won’t have any special aids left. The only way to replenish the focus level is to play a certain amount without the help of these powers.

The True-Aim feature is another attractive addition, which makes the game truly a virtual replica of reality. With this, one no longer gets the advantage of an accuracy circle while zooming in, and the ball tracking camera. One has to play with the viewpoint of a real-time golfer, with the assistance of nothing more than an over-the-shoulder view to take aim and strike, and commentator and audience reaction to track where the ball fell.

The PGA Tour 11 comes with tons of playing modes, and users can gradually improve various aspects of their skill before they get into serious match or tournament play. The Ryder Cup mode is an exciting addition this time round. As far as players go, the game features 25 professionals one could choose, but it is certainly most rewarding to set oneself as a custom golfer. This way users can gradually build experience points, and then use them to enhance their powers and buy better equipment.  Once a custom golfer has been created, the game encourages users to go through an eight-step tutorial, which does an excellent job of educating users about the nuances, strategies and skills of the game they will be confronting.

The game has some minor glitches, mostly related to camera-angle difficulties and switching clubs. But these are not pleasure-threatening in any way, and don’t detract from the merits of this game. So, all in all, all those who have been waiting for this one can now abandon their worries and allow themselves to feel the excitement!

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