NIDZUMI+

I’ve experienced the future and it isn’t video streaming or downloadable releases, it’s browser gaming.

The internet and it’s various selection of browsers weren’t set up for gaming but id Software and EA have proved that it’s entirely possible and a legitimately emerging platform for the future of this industry. Games like Quake Live and Battlefield Heroes were great for a quick test – is this actually possible? Woah, it’s actually Quake 3 in my browser – but due to the first person shooter market being so oversaturated and so much more immersive on consoles, browsers never stood a chance. That’s why Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online is the best example of in-browser gaming to date.

There’s no way of getting around it, this online version is nearly identical to its console counterparts. The TrueSwing analog flick controls reinvented the wheel as far as golf gaming goes and you’ll be emulating these console controls with your mouse, massive sweeps backwards to wind up and forward to put your club through the ball. Instantly Tiger Woods Online is elevated above the normal throwaway gaming that takes place within the browser.

You’ll be able to take your newly developed TrueSwing onto one of the ever increasing list of courses. It’s probably worth noting that I was playing this on a MacBook without an nVidea card in it, needless to say, every hole was still recognisable from the final hole on Pebble Beach to the island green at Sawgrass. Allowances should normally be made considering the game is running within a browser but none have to be made.

The entire interface is continually solid and on par with the original games. From the pre-shot commentary even down to the font, everything is spot on. All customisation and player management will have to be done outside of the launched game as the popup window is purely for golfing. The website, however, does allow for you to splash the cash on that overpriced shirt or improve your set of clubs – when the club shop launches.

Normally allowances should be made considering the fact that the game is running within a browser, but for Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online, none have to be made.

What I was allowed to spend my hard earned cash on was golfer upgrades. Spending money on better accuracy in the drive or more putt previews is a good way to turn perseverance into progression. If you want to save up some of the green stuff you can but other than sponsoring friends – which is essentially like placing a bet on them completing the Make The Cut leaderboad – there isn’t much else.

As an incentive to keep playing you’ll be able to take part in the Make The Cut meta game, that continually resets every single day. Essentially you’re challenged to be the average score across all courses, if you do it you’ll be rewarded with an experience boost. It’s more of an excuse to constantly improve and to play singleplayer games offline but an excuse is a great way to justify your fledging addiction.

If offline isn’t your thing you can take your game online through tournaments or straightforward one-on-one rounds. If direct competition isn’t your thing, you’ll never feel like you’re alone. A handy chat window is populated with fellow players on the same course and occasionally you’ll see other golfers shots go flying into hazards.

Despite being in Beta, Tiger Woods PGA Tour is surprisingly complete. Small things need to be attended to like performance issues but otherwise we aren’t far from a final game here and it’s incredibly close to the console versions, just without the finely tuned graphics and superfluous modes. In all honesty the features and online integration that are included here more than cancel out any missing features and then some.

It’s currently in an open beta which means it’s free and accepting registrations. If you are at all curious to see the future of gaming or want to see how close it is to the console versions, I implore you to give this game ago before the subscription model is implemented for the game’s official launch later in the year.