PGA Tour 2K21 Reviews
Did PGA Tour 2K21 manage to win me over and convert me into a golf fan? The answer is a simple "nope, it did not". If you’re not already a fan of golf, this game won’t be convincing you otherwise anytime soon.
PGA Tour 2K21 is a fluid take on golf with incredibly tight mechanics that would be perfect for newcomers were it not for 2K's aggressive microtransactions. All sense of progression is held back by an in-game shop that demands hours of grinding on the player's part or real-life money. What is worse is that this practice makes it difficult to enjoy everything the title has to offer. Player customisation moves too slow and career mode simply offers too few rewards to feel rewarding. There is a good game in PGA Tour 2K21 somewhere, but it will never be found so long as microtransactions hold back actual game design.
In between some of the most frustrating moments I’ve had with any sort of game in quite some time, PGA Tour 2K21 flashed with hopeful, brilliant optimism.
PGA Tour 2K21's career mode provides the opportunity to go head-to-head against some of the best golfers on the PGA Tour while making enthusiasts feel like legends. The swing mechanics can be frustrating at first if enough practice time is not invested, but extended playtime provides a true sense of progression and leads to an entertaining experience. The backgrounds and fans aren't particularly enjoyable to look at, but they no longer distract after a few holes. Ultimately, 2K and HB Studios created a platform for golf fans to create a memorable career while visiting some iconic courses, and they largely succeeded with a solidly-built game.
PGA Tour 2K21 feels like the best sports game released ten years ago. Unfortunately, it just feels too dated to truly compete with other, modern sports games.
PGA Tour 2K21 is far from perfect. Compared to other sports games, the game is not very nicely finished and the diversity in terms of modes is also somewhat meager. It's a shame that this MyCareer mode hasn't received the same attention as, say, that of NBA 2K. Perhaps that is still a bridge too far, but it could have had a little more gravy. It is also a shame that the world looks a bit clinical. The wind has little effect on the environment itself and the NPCs also look somewhat lifeless. The commentary, on the other hand, is well done and the golf itself is also very well put together. After a few holes, you will no longer notice the above misses and you will appreciate the depth of the game. The controls, customization and the tracks themselves have received a lot of love and attention. Golf enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the game and new players will also be lucky, because the game is very accessible. However, if you have nothing to do with golf, then logically you will not get much pleasure from PGA Tour 2K21.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Overall, it’s nice to have a game that actually features PGA branding and gives players of all skill levels a fun, realistic experience. Add that to the fact that players have access to thousands of custom courses and you have a game that you can play endlessly for years to come. If you’re looking for a new golf game, PGA Tour 2K21 should still satiate that need.
PGA Tour 2K21 delivers a near realistic golf experience where you'll be spending hours of your time in the career mode, though they should've invested more in the graphical aspect of the game.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
PGA Tour 2K21 appears to be taking the series in a good direction, with a larger PGA license to boot. The presentation may be lacking, but the feel of the game is spot-on. Tuning up the graphics, expanding the license to include more pros, caddies, and the like, and filling out the commentary will really help to sell the immersion that games such as this rely on. Despite the issues present in the game, PGA Tour 2K21 is a solid golf game for fans of the sport.
PGA Tour 2K21 plays a solid golf game with enough flexibility in its control settings to appeal to both die-hard simulation buffs and casual golf fans just looking for a quick round. Its real-life pro players are so underused they may as well not be in here and the game may not yet have the typical 2K Sports trademarks – the polished story mode, the slick TV-style presentation – but it also isn't plagued with microtransactions, and the result is a game that, refreshingly, just gets on with it.
On the golf course, PGA Tour 2K21 is a fairly fun game. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the game modes. The career is way too simple, and even the online does not offer anything exciting. Graphics and sounds are decent, but could be vastly improved.
Review in Italian | Read full review
PGA Tour 2K21 is the best simulation golf game on the PS4, and it represents a real evolution for The Golf Club franchise as a whole. While it retains many of the features from previous instalments, it's much better presented than ever before, and it finally includes a career mode that's worth your time and attention. There are still improvements to be made here – the licensed courses lack character and the visuals are static – but if this were a long par five tee shot it'd comfortably find the fairway.
While it may not be incredibly in-depth, PGA Tour 2K21 is a great first attempt for 2K as they get into the golf game, and the future looks incredibly bright.
As the first game in this newly rebranded series, PGA Tour 2K21 feels a little bare bones in some areas while also managing to build a solid foundation for the future now that they have the PGA license behind them.
From a pure gameplay standpoint, PGA Tour 2K21 delivers a strong enough experience to satisfy fans, and the course designer is fantastic. However, the game falls more toward the average because of its bland career mode, modest list of licensed golfers, and out-dated graphics.
PGA 2K21 gives a damn fine game of golf. It controls solidly and there's a good learning curve as you get to grips with the more advanced types of shot. Despite that, I can't help but be a little disappointed with the feel of the overall experience. What should have been a hole in one return of a licensed golf series feels like it's only just managing to hit par.
PGA Tour 2K21 offers the best stroke play in years, with deep and rich shot and swing craft. Only a lean career mode proves its handicap.
PGA Tour 2K21 delivers the most flexible and enjoyable game of golf since the Tiger Woods series was at its peak.
PGA Tour 2K21 is a fun, enjoyable golf game that has made me into a begrudging fan. It still could use some work on the presentation front, but with underlying mechanics this good already, I'm excited for the future of the franchise.
PGA Tour 2K21 scratches the itch for the hardcore golf fans out there, but casual players are going to find a game that is lacking deeper options even though the game itself is beautiful. It's a good entry that hopefully is built upon in the future.