Occasionally here at Player2.net.au we will play something that deserves your attention but probably doesn’t need a full review written for it. Be it DLC for the latest AAA title, a little indie game or even an Android/iOS title. We play these titles for the same length as the average blockbuster movie (about 2 hours) and report back to you the reader on what we found. So grab your popcorn and settle in for the latest episode of Blockbuster Gaming.
Blockbuster Gaming – Rory McIlroy PGA Tour Golf
Ok I am going to ask you all to indulge me here. I know that Golf isn’t exactly the most popular sport out there but it is one that I enjoy. I am terrible at it but still love going out and whacking that little white ball around a course. So it makes sense that I have always been a big fan of the EA sports golf titles. Throughout the years I have spent many, many hours perfecting my virtual drive so it was with much excitement I loaded up Rory McIlroy PGA Tour Golf for the first time.
Now I have to be honest things were a little disappointing at first. Compared to Tiger Woods 2104 there are quite a few things missing. There has been a reduction in the number of playable pros and courses which makes things feel a little light on. Career mode has changed to a much more streamlined affair which may also put some people off (I don’t mind it to be honest). Also the create a player option has been severely stripped back with nowhere near the amount of customisation options that used to be on offer.
Luckily the real meat and potatoes of the game is top notch. There are three ways to play the game. The old school 3 click mode, the Arcade analogue swing mode that has been in place since the original Xbox or Simulation mode which is basically arcade mode with all the assists and power-up options turned off. I played in Simulation mode but because my putting is terrible I turned on the putting line to help out. These three modes should cater to just about every virtual golfer out there.
The game looks great too. Courses are stunning (especially the fantasy ones) and player detail and animation is the best it has ever been. There is also a night golf mode which is similar to a game of Mario golf with power ups and boosts littered all over the courses. The online mode is rock solid as well with no problems at all finding a match and playing while connected caused no problems. I did miss the “clubs” option from the previous games that allowed me to setup my own club of friends and compete with them both online and off. Hopefully it gets patched in at a later date.
In the end I am glad I purchased Rory McIlroy golf. The gameplay is tighter then ever and at a pure mechanics level there isn’t a better game of virtual golf available. It does however follow the sports game tradition of the first title on the next gen being short on features and this may put people off. 13 courses is the real killer here, hopefully EA see fit to rectify that in the near future with some free (or at least cheap) DLC. But there is no doubting the framework for an excellent game is here and I imagine that Rory’s next outing will have much more to it, so with that in mind it may be that only fans of the series should buy this year’s entry and more casual golfers wait for the next iteration.
Matt Hewson