As we pondered in our preview a little while back, where have golf video games gone? Back in “the day” we couldn’t get enough of Rory McIlroy PGA Tour (or Tiger Woods before that), but then… poof. Pretty much gone from the scene, save for an indie release or two.
But now HB Studios, with some help from 2K Sports, have brought the links roaring back with PGA Tour 2K21. And while there are a few things here and there that could use some improvement, it’s safe to say that golf is back, and there’s something here for the community as a whole to appreciate. Whether you’re a master club swinger that knows how to approach a green or a newcomer that’s still trying to get used to where their tee box is, there’s something here for everyone.
Opening Drive
First off, if you’re familiar with HB Studios’ The Golf Club series, you’ll recognize a number of components here. That’s because the developer has mastered the practice of golf technicality, right down to finding the right club and shot for each drive. That’s not to say everything will go the players’ way, as there’s still the swing and post-shot effect to consider.
Some players might be frustrated at first, but PGA Tour 2K21 provides a number of options that cater to every kind of skill level. What might work for the pros won’t go over so well with newcomers, and vice versa; and you can tweak a number of options so things work a little more smoothly. And you can even practice swing, a welcome feature where you can get the motions down before hitting the ball for real. It never hurts to give it a try, since no one’s born a golfing legend overnight. (Not even Happy Gilmore.)
Accuracy can still be a slight issue at times, particularly if you don’t read the wind properly or don’t take advantage of draw and fade on certain holes. But the features more than make up for it, even on the putting green. There’s a neat feature where you can put out a single putt per turn on the course, giving you an idea of where the ball will go. This certainly goes a long way compared to Rory McIlroy’s guessing game, and a tad bit more realistic. You should’ve seen the 60 footer we aced the other day, just by reading a range properly.
Along with gameplay features, PGA Tour 2K21 also features adjustable difficulty settings. So if you think you’ve gotten somewhere on the lighter settings, you can move all the way up to Legend and challenge some of the best pros out there. (No huge list of legends, sadly, and they’re not playable, but it is nice to see how you fare.)
Join the Society!
Of course, gameplay can only go so far if there aren’t features to back it up. And here’s where PGA Tour 2K21 earns its weight in gold, as it’s loaded with all sorts of excellent modes. First off,
the MyPlayer mode that 2K has added to other games has a welcome addition here, as you can create your dream golfer and hit the course with a good lookalike, even taking on the PGA Tour against others. That said, it isn’t too fantasy based, as most of the goods are based on real- world items and brands, instead of outlandish stuff you’d find in, say, WWE 2K. But considering how seriously a lot of people take golf, it’s not the worst thing to have. But the real neat features involve community. First off, there are societies, in which you can join up with – and challenge – golfers around the community. The Golf Club has always had a strong following since it began a few years ago, and 2K21 will likely continue it, especially since it’s debuting on multiple platforms. It’s an in-depth feature that will help you make a few friends – and enemies – with ease.
Taking on a career has its advantage as well, as you can earn all sorts of licensed gear to add to your golf bag, and can even customize CPU performance if you feel they’re being too much of a
threat, or a pushover. What’s more, unlike some of 2K’s other franchises, you don’t have to worry about spending real cash on items – it’s all about earning a lion’s share of in-game currency, which we’re totally fine with.
Also, there’s an outstanding feature with the course creator. Here, not only can you create the course of your dreams (or nightmares), but you can also share them across all platforms. While the game doesn’t truly offer cross-console support (yet, anyway), I think this is a fundamental addition that will give the game replay value for months to come. Well, until PGA Tour 2K22 rolls around, eventually.
The Presentation Isn’t Quite Aces, But Doesn’t Bogey Either
Then we come to presentation. First off, the visuals in the game aren’t overwhelmingly spectacular, but they aren’t bad either. HB Studios has thrown in 15 different courses (thus far) to choose from, all lovingly recreated right down to their very last sand bunker. They look outstanding, and the golfers themselves have a great sense of detail, too.
That said, there are some minor things that could use some fixing. For instance, when we hit a ball into the stands, the crowd doesn’t react in the least. They just… sit there? Some more interaction would’ve been key here. Also, some of the camera angles do tend to get a little bothersome, going for more of a TV-style presentation rather than serving use to the player. It would be nice to have additional options to see how your shots play out. It’s a minor complaint, though, so don’t let it get to you.
Then comes the audio. There’s barely any music to speak of here, but the genuine sound effects from the sport shine through, from the “thwack” of the ball to some of the crowd noises. It sounds like golf, for the most part.
But then comes from the flip side with the commentary. It’s accurate, with Rich Beem and Luke Elvy providing comments based on what’s happening. But it’s also a bit dry compared to, say, David Feherty and Gary McCord from the Tiger Woods franchise. And there could’ve been a slight bit more encouragement for players that perform badly at first. Still, it’s a starting point, and the consistency is there. Future updates to the game could make things a little livelier to listen to.
An Easy Birdie On the Scorecard
PGA Tour 2K21 may have a few things to work out technically before it can challenge the greatness of EA Sports’ now-departed golf franchise. But HB Studios has a strong foundation here, mainly based around the game’s outstanding social features and course builder, along with its challenging and robust gameplay system. Over time, with a few tweaks and course additions, it could have a real contender for the links, something that players have waited a long time for.
As it stands now, it’s definitely worth a recommendation for golf fans, especially those that have been itching to hit the links with something good since the pandemic started earlier this year. It may not nail everything within its swing, but as it lands on the green, it’s a thing of beauty.
