PGA TOUR 2K25 Review

While golf is not a physically demanding sport per se, a specific set of skills is required to become a master of the game. PGA TOUR 2K25 puts the mental aspect of golf in a rich and rewarding simulation, where your thumbs and mind can do what your stubborn body refuses to cooperate with the actual game.

The PGA Tour game was away for a whopping two years, and the game was brought back in PGA TOUR 2K25, an improvement over the original but still not refined and personality-infused. The graphics and gameplay in PGA TOUR 2K25 are a step ahead, and that is a definite move in the right direction, but there are still a considerable number of major issues with the game preventing it from being the world's greatest golf simulation.

The improved graphics are one of the first things that gamers will notice in PGA TOUR 2K25. The quality is no longer apparent these days, but it is not yet realistic in the EA Sports PGA Tour mode. The player models are improved, the courses have more detail, and the animations are smoother.

The clanky, heavy swishing, and jerky motion after a shot is gone. The game is more realistic with the addition of fluid and realistic-looking driving and putting motion.

Having stated that the performance isn't flawless. While PGA TOUR 2K25 runs smoothly most of the time, there were occasional hitches. The maddening stutters in the shots and lost rounds are compounded by the fact that even the single-player career mode is not accessible without a persistent online connection. These connection issues are frustrating in a game where accuracy is needed the most.

As far as quality is concerned, commentary is the biggest shortfall. Rich Beem and Luke Elvy are intelligent men who are familiar with golf but cast information in stodgy ways. Their enthusiasm on broadcasts doesn't necessarily have to reach the level of a football game, but it would certainly be an asset. Worse still, their responses feel scripted and repetitive, occasionally giving unnecessary criticism that makes them sound more like hecklers than commentators.

With its completely overhauled gameplay, PGA TOUR 2K25 is quite possibly the greatest golf simulation game available on the market. The completely overhauled Evo Swing system produces a better simulation of a lifestyle swing, with consideration given to position, torque, and arc.

PGA TOUR 2K25 is a game changer in that gamers are presented with the ability to progress in their game by closely examining the in-depth detail provided on a post-shot basis, giving contact rhythm, transition, and swing path. The old swing stick or three-click swing is available for the simple-minded.

With the addition of a role-playing game-style talent tree, player customization of characters is also enhanced. Players are given specialized shots, e.g., the Stinger. Special shots allow players to play with greater accuracy and in windy conditions. Additionally, four character archetypes offer a varied range of playstyles, such as Powerhouse, which focuses on driving distance.

The ability to personalize where the tees land and choose danger drop locations is a long-overdue feature. While these are not necessarily major modifications on the outside, anyone who had an issue with the frustrating water holes in PGA Tour 2K23 would definitely appreciate a greater level of personalization.

The meat and potatoes of PGA TOUR 2K25 are still the MyCareer mode, and the entertaining journey it creates simulates that of a professional golfer. The FedEx Cup is accessible to players who finish in the top 70 in qualifying events; players are able to get ready for every tournament with practice and scouting situations on hand.

These shorter exercises, such as practice with a target or tourneys with a long putt, are able to boost your stats and get familiar with the course. While seemingly irrelevant, they are able to really turn the course around, especially on tougher difficulty levels where even a modest gain in driving power is apocalyptic.

However, not all additions to MyCareer are a home run. The introduction and personality enhancements, meant to enhance in-the-moment play with fan response and text-like interview elements, are a letdown and hollow. If in-the-moment choices have no direct play-changing effect, Madden and EA Sports FC are doing something and not receiving what they are doing. The goal is noble, but the execution is poor.

Luckily, PGA TOUR 2K25 has a vast list of game adjustment options. You can customize how the CPU plays, where it plays, and even the weather. Because performance in the game is dependent on the AI, getting the optimum level is something a player has to practice.

One tournament might have a rival golfer dominate with a 10-under score, while the next sees them struggling. Changing the environmental conditions around them levels the competition and provides better competition.

The feature of personalizing how many holes the player wants to play in every game is commendable. This feature allows you to achieve the optimum balance between involvement and efficiency in a game by simulating specific holes without having to play a full 18 holes.

The online play in PGA TOUR 2K25 is still really strong, with casual and ranked play and a four-ball comeback mode. Playing against real people eliminates the frustration of AI inconsistency and provides a more interactive experience. Crossplay in Societies Mode is a feature in PGA TOUR 2K25 that keeps multiplayer even more hooked. Those who are on other consoles are enabled to play asynchronous tours together.

Microtransactions exist in PGA TOUR 2K25 because, in 2K games, they have always existed, but they are a lot less repugnant than in the NBA 2K series. They are cosmetic, and you can buy clothes and accessories without ruining the game balance. Microtransactions exist in order to level up MyPlayer quicker, but there are numerous ways to upgrade the stats and locked items through normal play. So, in reality, you won't even require them.

Compared with the original, PGA TOUR 2K25 is a better game because of better graphics, greater personalization variety, and much better playability.

PGA TOUR 2K25 offers a better golf experience with a better swing system, MyCareer mode, and variable playability. However, its always-online requirement, underwhelming commentary, and lackluster personality system keep it from being a true genre-defining entry.

On the finish and overall realism level, PGA TOUR 2K25 is nearly at par with EA Sports PGA Tour but still not quite. If HB Studios keeps making increasingly improved titles, their next game could easily be the best simulation game. By falling just short of taking the title, PGA TOUR 2K25 is still a top-notch simulation game that gamers are going to love.