Official Score
Overall - 80%
80%
Striking a perfect balance between casual and pro, PGA Tour 2K23 will appeal to golfers across the spectrum with its new three-click system and accessible modes. Even if you’re not gunning for the FedEx Cup in its MyCAREER mode, players will still enjoy making courses, hitting up Topgolf, and taking things at their own pace.
After taking a year off, the links await once more with the release of HB Studios and 2K Games’ PGA Tour 2K23. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, and new licensed courses await, but do these golfing vets still have their swagger?
PGA Tour 2K23 Review
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or green to the greens, PGA Tour 2K23 does what it takes to make players feel acclimated. Those who have sunk hours into The Golf Club series and PGA Tour 2K21 can jump right in with the analog stick system, which allows players to map one stick to swinging and the other to aiming. It got the job done in previous entries, and it’s the same case here.
However, if you’re more of the Everybody’s Golf/Hot Shots Golf crowd, PGA Tour 2K23 also has you covered with its new three-click system. Utilizing a circle, players can easily plan out a few shots by holding down the A button and timing their presses just right. We preferred this system in our playthrough, appreciating how intuitive it was – it certainly led to a lot less bogeys on our end.
No matter what players prefer, they’ll need to bring their A game with PGA Tour 2K23’s MyCAREER mode. For those looking for a meaty solo experience, this is the place to be – there’s enough sponsors and rivals to keep players occupied until they’ve come out on top.
After customizing one’s appearance, one’s caddie, and the gear one is rocking, they can then choose to take part in the Q-School, Korn Ferry Tour, Korn Ferry Championship, or even the PGA Tour.
When it comes to progression, some will like its setup better than others. Those looking for a deeper level of customization can take advantage of its Skill Tree system with gear, spending points to activate skill boosts up to level 50. Players can also choose the archetype that they’d like to go for, balancing out such factors as power, timing, and swing path. It’s almost like an RPG, and with an RPG there is most certainly a grind. However, those vested in the long haul will take to it like a birdie to water.
Keep in mind that those looking for the better gear will have to grab themselves the Premium Pass for $9.99. There’s also the Premium Pass+ for $19.99, which gives players a head start by unlocking the next 20 tiers immediately. While the temptation to break out one’s wallet is most certainly there, we ended up using determination and grit to get the most out of our PGA Tour 2K23 experience without too much fuss.
For those looking for something new, PGA Tour 2K23 brings with it the Topgolf experience. For those who have yet to check one out in person at locales like Las Vegas, these driving ranges task players with hitting targets and going for the high score – a stark contrast from the normal rules. While we flew solo during our review period, we had a zen-like moment of peace hitting the proper zones and gravitated toward its pick-up-and-play functionality.
Meanwhile, those with a creative streak can make use of its Designer course functionality. There are plenty of themes to choose from, including tropical, desert, and harvest. From there, players can tweak the terrain, the layout, the fairway width, and even the tee box. The weather and terrain can also be tweaked to one’s liking, and creations can then be shared online.
Rounding out the package is both competitive and casual play, which works well for those looking to dive right in. There’s a healthy selection of courses to choose from (on top of the Designer courses) and jumping in is a relatively painless affair.
Striking a perfect balance between casual and pro, PGA Tour 2K23 will appeal to golfers across the spectrum with its new three-click system and accessible modes. Even if you’re not gunning for the FedEx Cup in its MyCAREER mode, players will still enjoy making courses, hitting up Topgolf, and taking things at their own pace.
