Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005
Publisher: EA Sports
Platform: PC, X-Box and PS2
Taiwan release: already available
For five years EA Sport's award-winning Tiger Woods PGA Tour series has ruled the digital fairways of console/PC golf gaming. It's quick-to-master interface, realistic game-play options and excellent graphics have ensured the game's position on the leader board was like that of Woods, untouchable.
While Woods himself has dropped a peg or two recently, EA's Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 is not only bigger and better than ever, but also has plenty of nifty new moves and functions to keep the armchair golfer amused.
The popular "Game Face" mode, which was introduced last year and allows players to customize the appearance of their players has been overhauled. Now dubbed "Game Face II" it gives players the chance to add even more detail to their customized golfers. Along with weird and wacky hair styles and tattoos, players can now add everything from bags under the eyes to laugh lines. Swing styles can now be tweaked to include oddball stance, knee and hand positions. Batty-looking swings can be created at the touch of a button.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 also introduces the new "Tiger Proofing" mode. Here players can alter green and fairway sizes and conditions. As a fully functioning game editor the mode is limited, however, and it doesn't allow players to alter the position of elements such as the rough, water or sand traps on the courses.
The bottom line on the latestTiger Woods is that it is a solid piece of work and guaranteed to keep virtual golfers happy. This is your chance to go up against golfing greats like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros from the comfort of your living room.
Rome: Total War
Publisher: Activision
Platform: PC
Taiwan release: November
The third title in the Total War series, Rome: Total War takes the finest aspects from its predecessors, Shogun and Medieval and adds a heap of fine- tuning and enhanced graphics.
Blending empire-building with a real-time battle engine, Rome allows players to choose their strategies, pick which Mediterranean nations to ally themselves with or invade and choose how regional leaders use their coffers. Of course, it also gives players plenty of opportunity to sit back and watch as thousands of realistic looking 3D graphical images of Roman troops storm the walls of Carthage or attempt to fend off Hannibal's hoards on the banks of the Trebia River.
While the battle scenes are stunning, the real glory of the game is the way in which players manage their affairs.
Players can opt for one of three powerful Roman families, who in turn have to deal, sometimes violently, with the Gauls, Germania, the Greek states and Carthage.
Along with your own agenda, the Roman Senate will, on occasion, task you with performing a service for them. Perform well, and family members gain promotion to the Senate and your riches and influence can lead to glory. Perform badly and your family name will become mud and your wealth and land will be plundered by the troops loyal to the unforgiving Roman Senate.
Far too complex for casual gamers, Rome: Total War will instead appeal to gamers looking for a historically accurate strategy game that both engages and engrosses.
Star Wars: Battlefront
Publisher: Lucas Arts
RSS