With this year’s Masters tournament at Augusta National all wrapped up, it’s time for the virtual golfers to take to the course in the latest Tiger Woods video game. This time round, EA’s Tiger Woods series uses The Masters as the pinnacle of a golfers career and aptly so as the face of the franchise has won on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club four times. But beyond the introduction of a new course, what additions to the winning formula have been made to justify another annual purchase?

The biggest change in gameplay can be seen with the new caddie system. A well voice acted and helpful AI will help new golfers on the course providing helpful tips about how a ball lies and what types of shots to use. The caddie is at just the right balance of helpful at hindrance where if you follow his advice and execute a game then you’ll score a good round of golf however his advice doesn’t offer the perfect game so you don’t need to worry about the game playing itself. If you’re a veteran of the golf course then you can turn him off altogether.

Thankfully all the improvements from previous iterations in the series have stuck around with the iconic swing mechanics still intact and improved upon. While quite daunting to a fresh new player, the system is easy to pick up and becomes addictive very quickly.

Commentary has been greatly approved upon with the utilisation of famous US sports commentator Jim Nance providing entertaining talking points after every swing. A deep library of voice over work can make it quite awhile before Jim Nance’s work becomes predictable as most commentaries will eventually become in most sports game.

Although the headlining act for this game is The Master’s tournament, for me the main attraction will still be the online interaction. Smooth as ever, online play is addictive and stretches out a game which can last a few casual months to span a hardcore year. Simultaneous play keeps the pace rapid and the pressure on turning a round of golf into an emotionally invested hour.

While the changes in this year’s Tiger Woods aren’t gargantuan, the game has exceeded the par that is expected for an annual release and certainly does justify a looking into.