PGA TOUR 2K25: Packed with PGA Content and Star Players
PGA TOUR 2K25 is stacked with mad PGA content, like players, courses, and drip. The licensing for PGA is kinda different from the NFL, so there’s a lot of stuff the competition has that this game doesn’t. But if you’re all about that PGA vibe, you can still buy Xbox games and enjoy the authentic experience this title brings to the table. But don’t worry, Tiger Woods is still in the game as the brand ambassador, and you can play as PGA Pros in solo or local multiplayer tourneys. You can ball out with Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Rose Zhang, Lydia Ko, Tom Kim, Brooke Henderson, Colin Morikawa, and Will Zalatoris, all as playable characters. You can even play as Chris McDonald, aka Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmore, and Happy Gilmore 2 coming soon. However, when you're in tourneys, other big-name pros will show up, and they’ll get shoutouts from the commentators, but they’re not playable because of the whole licensing thing. Still, there’s a solid roster here, and the game is all about customizing your own golfer, though there’s more PGA representation this time around. As for courses, there’s no Augusta, but there are still some iconic ones. TPC Scottsdale is back, and there are 27 licensed courses now. New ones this year include the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, and the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Plus, you can still create and download custom courses. The Course Designer’s been upgraded with a high-res terrain system since the game is on next-gen consoles now. There are more tools and surfaces to work with, so if you’re into making courses, it’s a big W. During the review, nothing was available to download, though, so maybe HB Studios isn’t bringing in old courses. But yeah, PGA TOUR 2K25 still has a ton of golf content with more PGA stuff added in!
PGA TOUR 2K25: MyCAREER, MyPLAYER, and Microtransactions
What’s a 2K Sports game without MyCAREER and MyPLAYER, right? Yep, that means microtransactions and Virtual Currency are in full force, so get ready for that 2K grind if you’re not looking to drop cash. If you're ready to dive into more games with similar modes, don’t forget to buy PS5 games that offer the same level of customization and progression! But, tbh, there are some huge upgrades in these modes. When you create your golfer, you’ve got five archetypes to pick from, shaping your playstyle. These include Powerhouse, Technician, Magician, Greenskeepers, and Sculptor. Your created golfer will get attributes based on your archetype choice, and you can earn attribute points by completing challenges and playing in tournaments to level up your overall rating. Skill Trees help you unlock golf tricks like flop shots and rolls. Here’s the catch though: leveling up MyPLAYER is locked behind Virtual Currency, and the game barely gives you any of it, so you’ll be grinding forever unless you wanna buy some. The Skill Trees don’t need Virtual Currency to level up, so that’s a win, but the rate of upgrades is still pretty slow. Just like NBA 2K, you’ll have to decide if you wanna use that Virtual Currency to unlock customization options or boost your MyPLAYER. Plus, there are multiplayer events that also require Virtual Currency to join, so be ready to dive into that grind. On the bright side, Equipment Progression is a cool new addition. You can upgrade your clubs with different fittings, and you can use Level Up Tokens to speed things up. Unlocking EvoTools takes your club or ball to the next level, and it’s kinda like RPG weapon progression, giving your gear boosts depending on the fittings you add.
PGA TOUR 2K25: Perfect for Couch Co-Op and Multiplayer Fun
There might not be a better couch co-op sports experience than a golf game, honestly. You and your crew can jump into a tournament and take turns, which is pure vibes. Online’s a little different, but there are still plenty of multiplayer options. The catch? Only one mode actually needs interaction with other people; the rest are locked behind private rooms. Online Societies are where cross-platform competition comes into play, but to get in, you need to create or join a private room with a code. So while multiplayer’s there, it’s all about getting into your club or a private society to get in on the action. Ranked Tours is kinda like another Online Society, giving you daily and weekly seasonal events for more stuff to do. However, you gotta pay with Virtual Currency to enter, and there’s no matchmaking for it. It’s all about entering a room with others. Ranked Matchmaking is where you go one-on-one or 2v2 live with other players. Tried it out during the review, and the connection was smooth as butter. The battle royale mode from the last game is MIA at launch, though. TopGolf mode is back and set in Vegas, but, honestly, it’s pretty much the same as before. You can play it offline, with matchmaking, or privately, but it would’ve been dope to see a new location or even a night mode. So, yeah, when it comes to “multiplayer,” just know it’s mostly about playing with your friends or in private rooms if you're trying to get a solid experience.
PGA TOUR 2K25: Unity Engine Upgrades Shine on PS5
The PGA 2K series runs on the Unity Engine, and the upgrades on the PS5 are super noticeable. I tested the game on both a PS5 Pro and the regular PS5, and honestly, there's not a huge difference between the two. You get a choice of performance or quality mode, and you can adjust supersampling sharpness too. The high-res assets are a big step up from the previous game, with way more detail and better lighting that makes the game pop and feel way more vibrant. That said, performance mode does have a few hiccups. Texture pop-ins and rough shadow quality are things you’ll notice, and shimmering on trees and other objects is kind of annoying. But the game runs super smoothly at a steady 60 FPS, with only a few frame drops during cutscenes. There have been some crashes, but patches dropped during the review period should hopefully fix those. Even in 30 FPS on quality mode, the game looks better with smoother anti-aliasing, cooler water effects, and fewer issues with objects in the environment. The frame rate doesn’t mess with the EvoSwing meter, which remains just as responsive as in performance mode, so this mode is definitely worth a try. The animations are tight and add drama in tense moments, and the player models and faces are way better than before. This is a noticeable jump for current-gen consoles. The composer for this series deserves props because the soundtrack hits hard with a mix of synthwave and chill cafe beats, giving the game that modern golf vibe. As for the commentators and overall presentation, though, it feels kinda stale, like they just copied and pasted it. The broadcast style gives off more Golf Channel energy than CBS, especially when you compare it to the competition that has big, unique tournament packages. But hey, the sounds of the clubs hitting the ball? Some of the most satisfying audio in any golf game, hands down.
PGA TOUR 2K25: Enhanced Gameplay and Improved MyCAREER/ MyPLAYER
PGA TOUR 2K25 takes everything great about the previous game and really steps it up. The EvoSwing gives hardcore players that true golf simulation experience, while the new Perfect Swing system makes the game fun for everyone and still offers a challenge. The updates to MyCAREER and MyPLAYER are a huge step forward for the series, but locking progress behind microtransactions and grind is a bit of a letdown. There are tons of ways to play in the game, and while the PGA presence is stronger, it still leans more into a personalized experience where customization is key. It’s definitely a fun time and offers more challenges for those who want them, but the microtransactions and the lack of matchmaking in some modes put PGA TOUR 2K25 just off the mark.