The Video Game Critic

[QUOTE=Funkmasterwearsbadsuits] 
The one thing you are forgetting JLH is that reviewers have to consider everything, including graphics. Therefore, the game is going to lose points b/c it looks terrible. They can't be like "this is a Wii game so we can't factor in graphics". I played the game last night a friends and while I enjoyed it, I honestly think you are playing it up a bit. I didn't think the control (especially putting) was any where near as good as you make it out. I really think if you don't have prior experience golfing then this game will be very hard to pick up. That said I did have fun getting my butt handed to me. It is a good game and I like the Wii control (I still prefer Hot Shots myself though) but I think the 7's it has been getting on most sites is well deserved.
[/QUOTE]

See after playing the game for 5 minutes I don't really notice the graphics too much.  I wouldn't knock a game down that much for having bad graphics (Tigers Woods does look really bad). 

Every review I read complained about how hard it was to putt.  This is the easiest part of the game to me...go figure.  When playing it is imperative to hold the B trigger and hold still for a moment...if you just hit the button and start moving back at the same time you are going to throw off your swing (you will swing to early or add too much power).  Also while in you backswing its important to make a full stop at your peak...if you rush this movement the game will have trouble detecting your swing.  After playing for longer than 2-3 hours you should have all the kinks worked out of your virtual swing.

Also its worth noting that if you are having trouble controlling the game, they offer an easy option.  This makes all of your shots go straight and it makes the game painfully easy.  You lose alot of the realism factor by putting it on easy, but the option is there.

I have sunk numerous hours into the 360, PS3 and Wii version of Tiger Woods 07.  The best is easily the Wii version.  I would say that the 360 version is second best and the PS3 game feels rushed and crappy.  The Wii version is so impressive that it has two more of my friends rabbidly hunting for a Wii.

If I had to rate the game I would give it a solid B (around an 8.6).  The graphics could be improved and the swing mechanics are great, but far from perfect.  All in all its a great start to theWii's best golfing franchise.

I am currently playing/reviewing Tiger Woods 07 for the Wii, and I've come to pretty much the same conclusions: Awful graphics, terrific gameplay.  Of course, gameplay counts a hell of a lot more than graphics.

Another knock is EA's horrid user interface!  Just figuring out what I needed to do to customize my character was an absolute nightmare!  It shouldn't be so hard.

Really enjoying the game itself though.  Sometimes however when I'm doing my backward motion, the game registers a swing.  It doesn't happen often but it can really screw up a good game.  Anybody else notice this? 

[QUOTE=The Video Game Critic]
Really enjoying the game itself though.  Sometimes however when I'm doing my backward motion, the game registers a swing.  It doesn't happen often but it can really screw up a good game.  Anybody else notice this? 
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Yes I noticed this alot when I first started playing.  The remote is very very sensitive during the backswing.  I've always corrected it by having a very slow, delibrate backswing.  It almost never happens to me anymore.

However anyone that is new to the game often complains its broken due to the sensitivity of the backswing.  Its not broken...you just need to adjust to the controls.

I also agree that the interface is total ass.  Its so damn difficult to do anything in the menu.  You have to use the d-pad and even then its not as easy as it should be.

Ah, the EA interface. Madden 07 on the 360 had a pretty hideous interface, and really hurt the game for me. Every time I started to "get in the zone" and really begin to build a season and franchise, I would screw up the save, and lose a ton of progress: all because of the crap interface that makes it super confusing to execute a simple save.

-Rob

I bought Tiger Woods 07 a couple of weeks ago and have really enjoyed it so far. I almost didn't get the game because several reviews that I read said the game had problems with the controls. I have had very few problems with the controls. In fact the only problem I've had is the one the critic mentioned, where my guy would swing when I was still in my backswing. But that has only happened a couple times, not nearly enough to detract from the fun. One reviewer actually said that the putting controls were broken. I don't see how anyone could come to that conclusion. I not only think the putting controls aren't broken, I think that they work very well. I have had no problems with them.

Overall, I think that the Wii controls add a lot to the game. It is so much more exciting to hit a great shot using the motion controls than it is pushing a couple buttons. There is nothing like hitting a long shot right next to the hole or sinking a long putt using the Wii remote.

I can't comment on the game as I haven't played it, but I think the poor graphics in Wii games has generally been due to lazyness on the part of the developers.  I don't think anybody expected the Wii to sell as well as it has which is why we've seen so many rush jobs and PS2 ports.  Now that the system is a proven success, I expect developers to start putting more effort into the graphics side of things and I definitely think we'll see some improvement by the end of the year.