PGA Tour 2K25: Ultimate Preview Revealed

If you took a Family Feud-style survey asking which pro sports simulation video game series people would most want 2K to tackle that they're not already making, a revival of NFL 2K would undoubtedly top the list. Pro golf might not even rank second or third (think MLB and NHL). However, 2K is back for another swing with PGA Tour 2K25, and after spending a couple of hours with it, there's a lot to appreciate.

Developer HB Studios has been refining its golf game for years, starting with The Golf Club a decade ago before partnering with 2K and rebranding to PGA Tour 2K in 2020. Their experience and dedication are evident in 2K25, as I found it hard to pinpoint any major flaws during my hands-on session. Is it the most visually stunning sports game? No. Would it be great to have more real-life courses? Absolutely. (2K25 does include the PGA Championship, US Open, and the Open Championship.) Was the framerate surprisingly choppy on PC when I pressed Y to survey each new hole? Yes. But diving into this year's game was genuinely enjoyable.

The upgraded EvoSwing mechanic is a standout feature. You have several options, and using a controller, I found the right stick method most comfortable. You pull down to wind up and press forward to strike and follow through. You can adjust this to be forgiving or challenging, with higher difficulty settings making any slight thumb movement result in a slice or hook. For a more relaxed experience, there are lower difficulty settings (Perfect Swing) that aren't as harsh on missed inputs, encouraging continuous play. You can also tap LB to shape your shots, adding more control over the ball's trajectory. HB Studios claims the ball physics have been enhanced, and I appreciated being able to move laterally in the tee box to adjust my shot, especially when playing as Tiger Woods, this year's cover athlete, who is renowned for his golfing prowess.

I was offered a role in a movie with Christopher “Shooter McGavin” McDonald – who, yes, is in the game, albeit not as his famous Happy Gilmore character for licensing reasons. “Meanwhile, MyCareer has been enhanced with narrative elements seen in other sports games, making it entertainingly immersive. I was offered a role in a movie with Christopher “Shooter McGavin” McDonald – who, yes, is in the game, albeit not as his famous Happy Gilmore character for licensing reasons – where I could choose to be a hero or villain, impacting which MyCareer stats would be boosted. Gear earned by spending your VC also affects your stats, while skills are upgraded through playing and winning. The developers have introduced Quests, which are broad goals that can be refreshed weekly or as needed, like achieving 10 birdies in a row.

As for MyPlayer, I didn't spend my entire demo trying to create a perfect version of myself, but even a brief session with the player creator was enough to get a reasonable likeness. The addition of skill trees is a welcome enhancement. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try the multiplayer options, which promise casual fun with ranked matchmaking and cross-platform Societies (think groups or clubs). I fondly remember chatting with friends while playing Links 2004 on the original Xbox, and PGA Tour 2K25 seems poised to bring back that experience and more. I appreciate the inclusion of asynchronous multiplayer options for those with friends in different time zones.

PGA Tour 2K25 is challenging to preview because it does everything well without any significant shortcomings. While this makes it hard to get overly excited about, it's a solid choice for golf enthusiasts and those seeking a low-stress gaming experience. You can try it out for yourself at no cost, as a playable demo of PGA Tour 2K25 is available starting today.