Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Surprisingly good"

...I was a little leery after trying the demo. "The Masters" seemed like just another half-hearted EA Sports effort like we see year-in, year-out these days...but after finding the game on-sale and taking the plunge I gotta say, I stand corrected.

I've only played it for about 6-7 hours now, but my initial impressions:

-Graphics. I couldn't tell from the demo, but they seem improved. I don't know whether it's the grass, or the better photo/face technology, or just overall presentation, but far improved in my opinion.

-Gameplay. This is where the largest improvement is for me, but also the most important in my mind with ANY game. EVERYTHING seems better. I started my career on "TourPro", a difficulty I honestly am usually bored with due to the lack of ball control after you swing. However, the caddie presentation (although annoying that he's wrong sometimes, but this just adds to the realism in my mind), how putting is now handled over previous TW games, the feel of the swing for all clubs (D/W/I/Putter/etc) just feels right. I am hovering just below par overall and having an amazing time. The overall game just feels more realistic.

Career Mode. I can't remember which TW game this was (I've owned almost all of them for the past ten years on the big black box or the 360) but the career mode just draws me in. This is how career modes should be. I am starting from scratch as a new golfer, working my way up through pro-AMs, then starting on the tour--it's implemented with grace/style and I'm loving it. The only other TW game that had me this hooked with SP career was oh, 7-8 years ago I believe where different sponsors would offer different equipment on different calender days (like your birthday for example). TW The Masters draws me in for that "just one more tourney/challenge/etc" like that old TW game did back in the day.

Haven't tried online yet and maybe my initial impressions will fade, but I'm impressed--far more polished, revised, deep and realistic game then I thought it would be. Now back to my career golfer!