Off the Shelf Media

The sports simulation genre has been riddled with games that have gone downhill each year and have lost the core gameplay that gamers loved in the first place. While this title does have its issues, mainly the industry standard microtransactions, I think PGA Tour 2K25 is still a solid title, especially for those who are golf fanatics. 

Gameplay: 2

Easily the strongest and most customizable aspect of this game is the gameplay. I have been playing golf most of my life and have enjoyed many entries in this series over the years. The thing that I really enjoy about this game is that you can make it as easy or as difficult as you want, and it’s not as basic as “Easy, Medium, Hard.” There are dozens of factors you can mess around with to get the game to a difficulty of your choosing and it can be customized by the player if playing with a few friends. 

For example, if you are an experienced, seasoned golfer and gamer there are a ton of options for you to play around with. You can change the gameplay to where you can’t see where the ball will land and have to utilize your knowledge of your clubs and a basic scorecard just like the pros in real life do in tournament play. You can adjust the impact of your swing speed, arc, and rhythm as well as how the lie you have impacts the ball spin. For those who are deep into the weeds on the sport of golf, the realism and difficulty based off of that truly turn this into a puzzle game. If I’m stuck in the rough with a tree on my right, how am I going to get around the tree, adjust for the wind and lie and still make sure I have enough height to clear the sand trap? 

The main Pro Mode is fun but this game has some other side modes that are fun as well. From online play and a Topgolf sponsored mode, to a simple relaxing round on one of the many courses the game has to offer, there are a lot of different ways to enjoy this one.

In summary, this game can be a ton of fun for anyone. Casual gamers who love golf will be able to customize the controls to where the barrier to entry is not too high while still enjoying the challenge hard golf courses provide in terms of wind, lie, hazards etc. On the other end, hardcore gamers who don’t know the ins and outs of the sport can bump the mechanic difficulty up high as they pick up on the strategy of the game. It’s a great equalizer, although I will say it takes some time to hammer out the exact difficulty and style that is right for you. 

Story: 1

The main mode I have played is the Golf Pro Mode where you are working your way up the ranks of the minor golf leagues to earn a spot on the PGA. Once you are there, you are playing tournaments alongside practice rounds each week to prepare for the coming course. In between, you also work with an agent who will provide you with opportunities for interviews to answer questions that impact how you are seen by fans, and earn you some extra experience and the in-game currency known as “VC.”

The story is okay overall. I do think having rivals each week is interesting and provides a good side goal for each tournament. If you are not playing well enough to win, you can always ensure you are still beating your rival and earning more experience that way. The game does a good job of showing you when they make a big shot like chipping in from a green side bunker, which keeps the rivalry fresh in your mind throughout the round. 

It’s not the most inventive mechanic and is certainly fairly shallow, but to be honest, I don’t expect a ton out of a sports game. I will say we have definitely seen better instances of this in previous sports franchises and previous years. The most important thing this story does is not take away anything from the fun of the gameplay. 

Atmosphere: 2

There are so many iconic courses in this game that really immerse you week to week as you play through the PGA season. From the landmark 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass with its island green surrounded by water, and the fan favorite 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale where fans are encouraged to scream and get rowdy after a good approach shot, it all feels true to life. 

The graphic and art design in this game is top notch as well. The beauty of the green rolling hills and water features on some of these courses is incredible and some of the best graphics I’ve seen in a sports game in a long time. The way the fans surround each shot and react to an errant shot going into them feels great, and this is a great game to watch someone else play as it feels like you’re watching a real tournament on TV. 

While it is hard to get licenses for all of the stars of the pro tour, they did manage to get Tiger Woods likeness back into the game and it’s incredible to face off against him. I was playing in a tournament and was leading and watched in horror each hole as Tiger jumped further and further up the leaderboard chasing me down. It reminded me of when he was back in his prime and it was a foregone conclusion that he was going to win or be in the running on Sundays in that legendary red shirt. 

Value: 1

Here is my biggest gripe with this game and something that is not contained within this game alone. Microtransactions continue to rear their ugly head within many games but particularly the sports world between both 2K and EA SPORTS. This game will pepper you with opportunities and reminders about all the cosmetics and boosts you can buy to level up your player much faster. If your goal is to get your player to the maximum stats and see those numbers go up, it will take a long long time to do it without spending money. 

That said, I think the big difference here is that I don’t feel hindered by being at the lower levels. It is not something where I feel I can’t compete in tournaments, or more importantly, enjoy my time with the game as a 70 overall vs a 90 overall. While you certainly can go and spend money to get your drives insanely long, or some super fancy clubs and gear, it’s not something that is necessary to enjoy the mode, unlike Ultimate Team in the EA Sports  franchises like Madden, which I recently reviewed. 

While it doesn’t kill the game, I still am hesitant on any title that releases annually and is a full $60 or higher. I managed to grab this on sale for $50 but still feel it was a bit of an overpay compared to many other games at lower price ranges. I am a massive fan of the franchise and of the sport of golf so I got some value there, but I would certainly wait for a big sale to scoop this one up. 

Duration: 1

Like most sports games, the duration of this is what you put into it. While there is a story progression in the sense of picking up new rivals each week as you progress, I don’t feel like there is a completion to it or something to strive for. It’s more so in the background and not something I am racing to finish. If you are someone who only wants to hop in and play one or two iconic courses a couple of times, it’s an okay game that might not be worth the price. 

If you are someone who loves the sport and wants to experience the highs and lows of tournament play, you can get a ton of time out of this. It’s a very customizable game as I mentioned earlier, and that goes down to the tournaments themselves. You can set it to where you are playing just a few key holes each week with a simulation taking care of the rest, or if you want to play all 18 holes four rounds a week. There’s certainly a lot of meat on the bone if you enjoy the thrill of fighting through a cut day to make the final round and then duking it out for the title. 

Total Score: 7/10

PGA Tour 2k is certainly not a perfect game and has its flaws. What I enjoy about this game is that the gameplay and atmosphere help to balance the bitter microtransaction pill you have to swallow and are able to keep it from detracting from the overall experience. The level of flexibility and customization allow this to be a game for everyone, from the casual gamer to the golf super fan who loves the strategy of a difficult shot to save par. Overall, I’d recommend this one to most with the caveat of trying to get it on sale if you can.