HB Studios announced PGA TOUR 2K25 in January along with a surprise February release date for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 consoles. After reviewing PGA TOUR 2K21 in 2020 and hearing about all the new franchise enhancements for this game, I was curious to see firsthand what the latest entry had to offer.
Spending this past week exploring PGA TOUR 2K25 convinced me of one thing. HB Studios has elevated this series to the next level and created a wonderful golf game for veterans and newbies alike. Here are my thoughts on why it’s worth checking out.
The Perfect Pitch
PGA TOUR 2K25 is the sixth installment in the popular 2K golf simulation video game series. With Tiger Woods, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Max Homa represented as the official cover athletes, this entry kicks things up further by offering fans several enhanced features and an overall incredible presentation with the franchise debut of the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open.
When I started the game for the first time, I was immediately greeted with swinging and chipping tutorials. The new Evoswing mechanic is an instant game-changer because it breaks down every swing based on four key components: Contact, Rhythm, Transition, and Swing Path. By rotating your analog stick back and forth, you can measure your shots accordingly and analyze how much contact to apply to the ball. This same philosophy carries over to chipping and putting, making this brilliantly constructed system the perfect way to teach new players the game of golf.
After completing both tutorials, I created my player by defining my name, nationality, appearance, and archetype. Archetypes are stylized classes used as a base to build your player’s attributes. Some notable archetypes in the game include Greenskeeper, Powerhouse, Technician, Sculptor, and Magician. When all the details were finalized, I was directed to the home screen where it was time to start playing. This entire process only took about 15 minutes, making the game incredibly easy to dive into.
Chasing Greatness
The slick game menu design for PGA TOUR 2K25 is split into four categories: Home, Play, Compete, and Design. The Home submenu gives players immediate access to MyCareer, PGA TOUR Superstore where items can be purchased, MyPlayer where edits can be made, and the standard Clubhouse Pass content that comes with the base game and can be upgraded. While you can use VC to buy things, it is all optional as you can get most of what this game has just by playing it right out of the box.
The Play submenu includes access to MyCareer, Quick Play, Matchmaking, TopGolf matches, and Training. The Compete submenu is where Ranked Matchmaking, RankedTours, and Online Societies are located. The Design submenu is where you can Design, Import, and Download Created Golf Courses. I played against others online and had a great time without network connectivity issues.
So far, most of my time with PGA TOUR 2K25 has been spent exploring every nook and cranny of the MyCareer mode. The main tagline of this mode is to become a pro, make a name for yourself, and claim the cup. You start by participating in different events and slowly building up your social media presence based on your performance in each game.
As you continue down your path to success, you’ll get invited to more prestigious events like the U.S. Open, and The Open. These are the tournaments where the competition gets fiercer and you’ll be battle-tested with every shot you take. You earn XP and unlock bonus items with every tournament match set you complete. These points can be used to level up your player. I strongly recommend using the training matches and practice events as you level up. These golden opportunities will help you apply the right amount of power and precision to your golfing techniques.
The other aspect of becoming a star athlete revolves around how you decide to carry yourself and grow your following. As you continue performing in tournaments, you’ll catch the attention of sponsors who want you to become the face of their brand. This often leads to you gaining access to their branded golf attire, golf balls, and golf clubs and continuing to grow that business relationship on a tiered system. When your agent presents you with an offer to sign with a brand, you can choose to accept or decline. The same freedom of choice applies when a network reporter asks you for an interview or you can choose between attending a networking party or charity event. How you respond to questions and make decisions impact your follower count and shapes your personality.
Another aspect I liked about MyCareer mode was the Rival system and how it works. As you become a household name, your peers will contact you about competing on the field. A winner in a rivalry is determined by how many points they can outscore their opponent in an upcoming tournament. You face off against well-known golfing icons including Tiger Woods once you reach a certain level. You can choose certain golfers to compete against or wait for them to challenge you. Everything I mentioned about MyCareer mode made this a fun, unforgettable experience that will keep me busy for a long time.
Top Notch Presentation
PGA TOUR 2K25 is a great-looking game that perfectly creates the atmosphere and excitement of witnessing these tournaments live. The character models look great and the animations are silky smooth when hitting shots. I also enjoyed the key highlights of other important players performing in the same tournaments and how the camera transitions back to your game in progress. The commentary team also does a great job of capturing the highs and lows of every moment on the field.
I reviewed this game on my Xbox Series X console and haven’t encountered any performance issues yet. Everything seems to run smoothly and I look forward to seeing how the developers continue supporting this game over the next several months.
Final Verdict
PGA TOUR 2K25 is a great step forward for the series and achieves the goal of making golf fun and accessible for all. If you play other 2K sports titles and you’re looking for an authentic golfing experience then this title was made just for you.
This written review was based on a digital review copy of PGA TOUR 2K25 for the Xbox One X provided by HB Studios and 2K Games.
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