This is actually a two for one review. If you're reading this, most likely you are looking to buy a golf game, and you are wondering which one to get. Well, you can't go wrong with either Hot Shots Golf 3 or Tiger Woods 2002 this year. As far as the current big three consoles, these are the only two games to even consider right now, so read on as I compare the two and decide which is best for you, knowing you can't make a wrong decision!
Load Time: To me, this is a major factor in golf games. I want to be able to sit down and play a game rather quickly and not be waiting as the game is rendering the next hole, or even worse, the next shot! Luckily both games are rather speedy, and once the hole is loaded, switching between players and shots is instantaneous. HS only takes about 2 seconds while TW takes between 2 and 5 seconds depending on the length of the whole. My biggest complaint with both games is, why doesn't the next hole load with showing the scorecard?!?! After a hole, the scorecard is displayed, you press X to continue and the load screen comes up. This makes no sense to me at all! Edge goes to Hot Shots Golf here.
Play Modes: Both games offer all the traditional modes of play such as Match, Stroke, Skins, Tournaments, etc. Tiger Woods adds in a two player Speed Golf game which is a split screen mode where you hit the ball, the actually run up to it and hit it again as fast as you can. It is interesting, however the people I played with, including myself, didn't like it. Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, and this was just too fast paced for us. No time to drink my beer!
The Swing: Here is the biggest difference of all. This is what you should base your decision on. Hot Shots Golf features the tradition 3 button swing meter that we have seen a hundred times. Press once to start the swing, once at the end of the bar for power and again when it comes into the center of the sweet spot for accuracy. You know it, it works, it's tried and true. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, had offered us a new way of swinging the club a few years back, and now it is your only choice. You use the analog stick to pull the club back and then push it forward. Personally, I really got into this mode of swing, because it required rhythm on a smooth back swing and a straight push forward. It is strange they didn't offer the traditional 3 button option as a backup however.
Unlocking Items: Both games offer challenges to unlock additional players. You challenge, or are challenged by an unlocked character and you play them in a game to unlock them. Both games require you to play alongside the character and watch them swing. HS at least gives you the option to press the O button to skip to where the ball landed rather than waiting and watching the computer play every shot. Personally, I unlock about 2 characters and then just wait for a code to be released for the rest. I hate playing against the computer. HS offers lots more items to be unlocked however, such as new balls, clubs, items on the golf course, caddies and other goodies. For this reason I enjoyed playing HS in single player mode more than TW.
Characters: The characters in HS are cartoony and goofy, while the ones in TW are more real world, including some pro players. HS also features caddies that run after your ball and say goofy things throughout the game. This can get obnoxious after a while, but for some unknown reason I never get tired of Mel yelling out "Cream Cheese" whenever I really get a hold of a shot!
Experience: In both games you get points/money for playing well during games. For example, you get points for Greens in Regulation, Pars, Birdies, close to the pin, etc. You also get points/money for playing in tournaments and such. In TW you use that money to upgrade your character. There are several attributes to improve, such as power, accuracy, recovery, etc. This is why I love Tiger Woods. Playing with friends in tournaments and then each of us taking different approaches to upgrading our characters is just a lot of fun for me. I put everything into power, while one guy goes for a well- rounded approach and another goes for accuracy. The more games we play the more we notice the difference as I out drive everyone, but also get into a lot more trouble. In HS, you need to unlock the better characters for better stats, but you can also get better clubs and balls to improve your character. Both offer good RPG elements here, but Tiger Woods wins this category for me.
Graphics: Both games have great graphics. Tiger Woods is definitely a prettier game, which is why the load times are a little longer.
Courses: HS features 6 fantasy courses while TW features 4 real courses and 3 fantasy ones. This is a toss up. I really enjoy the real courses in TW, but the courses in HS are so well laid out, they are a lot of fun to play. So many spots where you need to make sure you stay left or right if you want a chance to hit the green easily. The more you play the more you learn the courses and improve. I love both games' course selection.
Other: TW offers some cool effects for things like hitting the ball just right. The screen switched to letterbox mode and you see your swing in slow motion from different camera views. When you hit a shot close to the pin, again, the screen switches to letterbox mode and a heartbeat pounds as your controller shakes. Cool things like that add a lot to the game.
I am still waiting for a game to really depict the PGA experience with all the people in the crowds. HS does a good job of having more and more people watching you play as the tournaments get more and more important, but TW only has a few people out on the course, although the sound effects of the crowd are captured perfectly. The roar of the crowd is amazing; it will really get you pumped up.
Bottom Line: I think that is enough for you to decide. Both games are great, and I would say if you're going to play mostly in single player mode, get Hot Shots Golf. Playing with friends? Get Tiger Woods. Get either one, and in a few months trade it in and get the other one!
-Scott
Company Line
Join the new cast of characters who come to tee off on the greens and on each other with trash-talking quips. Lace up your spikes, set your sights on the flag, and "be the ball."
Enhanced graphics deliver vibrant golf environments complete with simulated weather conditions that affect the flight of the ball and the speed of the greens
Fifteen off-the-wall characters, each with their own characteristics and attitude
New swing Meter will test your skills with a variety of interfaces depending on the lie of the ball, whether it is in the fairway, rough, treeline, dirt or sand trap
From the morning mist until dusk, the "Time of Day" feature provides a realistic experience of a full day at the golf course
Quick-paced golf action eliminated delays between holes
Friendly pick-up-and-play gameplay, yet plenty of depth for golfers or any experience level
Earn "Hot Shot Points" for superb performances, great shots and remarkable putts to use towards enhanced golf equipment and insane golf gadgets
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