Review: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12

A golfing simulation video game in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts. For the first time in the history of this award-winning sports franchise, players are able to step onto the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, experience the rich history and tradition of the Masters Tournament.

Release Date: March 29, 2011
Also on: PS3, Wii
E for Everyone
Genre: Sports 
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Tiburon

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The Review:
This year EA Sports took another tournament to use as a focal point for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12, and it's a hell of a lot cooler than the Ryder Cup. It's time for fake golfers to finally get to play in The Masters. 

The entire career mode has been built around working your way up to competing in The Masters. Your character has to progress through amateur leagues, and pass the Q school, a tournament series that golfers have to complete to become pros. The new structure is a significant improvement to the career mode. The constant goal of going to The Masters is a nice change of pace from the general tournament structure and all the other major tournaments are in here as well. 

There's also a mode where you play as Tiger Woods through his four Masters Tournament wins, having to match or beat his scores for each round. Included with the Masters packaging comes a new commentator, Jim Nantz. It's great to have Nantz in the game, because his voice is iconic to the sport of golf. There's a ton of commentary both from Nantz as well as his co-commentator David Feherty. 

The actual mechanics of the game haven't been changed much since last year, but there is a noticeable gameplay addition: an in-game caddie. Before nearly every shot, your personal caddie will recommend a couple options. 

The previous improvements to the game have been kept for PGA Tour 12. Features like the use of focus to increase aim, and the experience system will be familiar to those that played the game last year. 

On Xbox 360 and PS3 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 features 16 courses on the disc, and 20 available as DLC. The game finally incorporates DLC courses into the career mode, though in an awkward way. 

Final Thoughts:
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 doesn't play much different than last year's game, but the additions of a more fleshed out career mode focused around the long-awaited Masters Tournament and a caddie system that welcomes new players round out the game more.

Rating: 4.5 = Great
Recommendation: A must Buy