Tiger Woods

has just returned to the top of the world rankings after a two-year absence. His EA game, on the other hand, has remained a favourite over the years.

Like others in the franchise, the latest in the Tiger Woods series is more of an evolution than a revolution. There aren’t any serious changes to gameplay, or visuals for that matter – more of a honing of what already works. Everything looks and feels more polished.

PGA Tour 14 gets new golfers and new modes. There are more majors to compete at, with all four men's major events now appearing in the game (the Masters, the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship). You can also play in the LPGA, and create your own female avatar.

Career mode is still the most satisfying for dedicated players, allowing you to take your golfer through a long and varied career. But there are other aspects to the game worth looking at. Legends of the Majors is a brand new mode for this year’s version, with some of the most notable tournaments making an appearance stretching back through the years.

As you progress through the tournaments and the decades, there are noticeable changes in not only the outfits of the players, but also how the equipment feels and performs, mirroring the changes and advances throughout the years. And if you only want to have a fast game, the quick mode allows you to jump in and out of the major tournaments as you please.

The online offering is also improved. The online country clubs are back but the player cap has been raised, and the connected tournaments allow you to play online against up to 24 players at your own pace – no turn-based playing here.

It all adds up to a solid golf sim that is worthy of a place in the Tiger Woods franchise.