PGA Tour 2K23 Review: A Hole In One?
2K returns to the links – with new executive producer Tiger Woods – with PGA Tour 2K23. But is the game a hole in one, or stuck in a sand trap?
The fine folks at 2K were kind enough to provide us with a review copy of PGA Tour 2K23, the latest installment of their golf franchise which skipped last year.
With more than two years between PGA Tour 2K21 and PGA Tour 2K23, golf fans have been chomping at the bit for a new golf simulation game. Add in the inclusion of cross-sport stars like Michael Jordan and Steph Curry and the inclusion (and EP status) of Tiger Woods and excitement was about as high as it could get.
Luckily, the game largely improves on its predecessor.
Firstly, one of the coolest new features is the inclusion of Topgolf in the game. You can either compete locally or hop online and play a game of Topgolf (basically, you try to score points by hitting 10 balls into various pits). This mode is incredibly fun and super-quick. These days, I don’t always have the time to play 18… or nine. But jumping in for a game of Topgolf is like 15 minutes. That’s perfect.
Secondly, and perhaps my favorite part of the game, is the ability to play as real golfers this time around.
Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Lexi Thompson, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, Lydia Ko, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, Brooke Henderson, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Michael Jordan and Steph Curry are available – with more coming post-launch.
Thirdly, I’m a big fan of the new controls. You’re given options upon opening up the game, but I selected the new 3-Click system, which I’ve found to be challenging and rewarding.
Basically, you hold the X button (on PlayStation) or A button (Xbox) to charge your power, then release it. Immediately following you need to hit that same button again to lock in your swing path, and again to lock in your club face’s angle.
It took me awhile to get used to everything, but it also makes things incredibly rewarding. I can’t golf in real life to save my soul, but I found 2K21 to be a bit on the easy side. This time around I’ve been so focused on maintaining my swing angle that sometimes I mess up the power or vice versa. It’s been a lot of fun. And if it isn’t for you, there are other control options available.
You’ll also notice the 20 licensed courses in PGA Tour 2K23. They are: Atlantic Beach Country Club, Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge, Copperhead, Detroit Golf Club, East Lake Golf Club, Quail Hollow Club, Riviera Country Club, TPC Boston, TPC Deere Run, TPC Louisiana, TPC River Highlands, TPC San Antonio, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, TPC Southwind, TPC Summerlin, TPC Twin Cities and Wilmington Country Club.
Each of these courses is graphically beautiful. Everything pops in the way you’d want it to. Seriously, the water hazards look so great I didn’t even mind hitting my ball in them. Okay, that’s not entirely true… but they are stunning. Just look at them!
You also have the option to jump into the course creator and design your own golf course. I’m not very creative, so I haven’t spent much time with it, but it seems to have all the bells, whistles and customization options one would want.
Players familiar with 2K21’s MyCareer mode won’t be overly surprised with the mode in 2K23. I found it to be mostly the same – you create your player, enter events, create rivalries and sign with sponsors. However, one huge improvement is the inclusion of a tie-breaker (should you need it). In 2K21 if you were tied at the top, you just won… that’s not nearly as suspenseful and intense as playing out the tie-breaker.
The one thing I haven’t enjoyed while playing PGA Tour 2K23 are the new skills tree and fittings mechanics.
In 2K21 you selected clubs that were all balanced. If you wanted to out-drive the competition, then you’d better be prepared for a lack of control. Pinpoint accuracy came at the loss of power.
But now, the clubs are all just cosmetic items. You improve them by adding fittings that you earn through playing the game. That’s all well and good, but some of the top-tier fittings only improve your clubs and we all know there will be players out there who somehow manage to collect only the best fittings, giving them super clubs. There’s no point in trying to compete with someone like that while playing online. We’ll have to see if matchmaking holds up throughout the game’s lifespan.
Overall though I have quite thoroughly enjoyed my time with PGA Tour 2K23 (about seven hours on the PlayStation 5). Any fan of simulation golf owes it to themselves to pick it up. Even arcade golf fans will likely find themselves enjoying Topgolf mode or the super-club fittings and MyPlayer skill trees.
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