Something for everyone

By Jason Hill
January 6, 2005


Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005

Electronic Arts, G, RRP $90. Also PS2, GameCube, PC, * * * *

It is fitting that Tiger Woods - a player who has made golf exciting for the masses - graces the cover of this terrific simulation. The game is approachable, incredibly comprehensive and offers something for everyone. A flexible character-creation tool lets you build a lifelike image of anyone, even customising their swing, and a new Legends mode lets players battle some of golf's biggest names, such as Nicklaus, Hogan and Palmer.

Success enables you to modify (Tiger-proof) the fantastic courses, making them as tricky as you wish, including tight fairways, massive bunkers and deep rough. There are also exciting scenarios, lucrative special events and many fun additional games. The game has 14 highly detailed and challenging courses, including eight new locations and two fantasy courses. Best of all, the ball physics and controls are excellent.

Playstation 2

The Urbz

Electronic Arts, M15+, RRP $90. Also Xbox, GameCube, * *

This is what happens when marketing executives make games. The Urbz is try-hard, self-consciously "cool"; a misguided attempt to make the suburban Sims hip by transplanting the digital denizens into the city. But the developers totally misunderstood what makes The Sims so appealing. There is little opportunity for creativity (furnishing your apartment is tedious), no drama and a mistaken emphasis on conservative conformity.

The nine districts feature (allegedly) counter-culture groups such as artists, bikers, ravers, musicians and skaters, but the secret to making friends is dressing and acting like the shallow locals. Worse, many tasks are dreary. You must constantly cater to basic needs and "work" by playing repetitive Simon-says mini-games. Exploring the colourful town, building relationships and increasing social standing can be entertaining but it is vacuous compared to the astonishing Sims 2.


Call of Duty Finest Hour

Activision, MA15+, RRP $100. Also PlayStation2, GameCube, * * *

Finest Hour is an all-new game, but converting the PC hit might have been a better option. Although missions are well-designed and combat can be intense, sequences such as the battle to reclaim Stalingrad lack the scale and cinematic grandeur of the PC version. This is a more generic shooter with few memorable sequences and occasional frustration. The game puts you in the shoes of several different soldiers, which allows you to sample many different settings.

But despite some excellent voice-overs and historical footage, the heroes' stories are undeveloped and there is little sense of involvement. The variety of action is pleasing, including the chance to man gun turrets, control a lumbering tank or battle across a north African desert. Entertaining online modes add to the game's long-term appeal.