“To be the best, you have to beat the best”
This tagline is true of not only how you play in-game, but also as 2K takes a swing at a game that has been in the hands of EA for nearly two decades.
The Tiger Woods PGA Tour games were exceptionally good. As the series went on, though, with a new release every year, it started to get a little stale. Some years they forced changes to the putting mechanics or swing mechanism and it felt like having to relearn the game all over again. Fans soon became tired of the yearly grind to build a competitive character to take online, too.
Tiger Woods’ fall from grace was well documented, and it eventually culminated in EA removing his name from the title. They tried to replace him with Rory McIlroy, but despite the game being good, it failed to gain the traction of earlier titles. After EA not releasing a new PGA game in a couple of years, 2K stepped in to pick up the vacant license.
2K have had some great success with their sports titles recently, with NBA 2K proving itself to be the superior basketball game. Can 2K continue this magic with the PGA Tour? We surely hope so, as there is definitely a market for a capable golf game.
MyCareer
Check out the MyCareer trailer below:
There’s no doubt that, graphically, it looks amazing. We expected nothing less after seeing the latest NBA 2K21 trailer, but it’s good to know they are giving golf the same polish and attention.
Expect deep levels of customisation and a multitude of stats that you will need to build up (hopefully organically, without the need to grind).
Custom courses
An added bonus, and something that was sorely missing from EA’s games, is the inclusion of a custom course creator. As with any system that lets users create content (especially if there’s an achievement or trophy tied to it), a lot of it will be garbage, but there are always a few brilliant exceptions that make it worthwhile.
PGA TOUR 2K21 is designed for players of all skill levels. Rookies can take advantage of real-time tutorials, tips and shot suggestions, while veterans can master their games with Pro Vision, Distance Control, Putt Preview and other innovations. Social gaming is at the core of the experience, as players can hit the links with friends in local and online matches, including Alt-Shot, Stroke Play, Skins and 4-Player Scramble. In addition, Online Societies will encourage players to invite their squad to hit the clubhouse and run full seasons and tournaments with unique entry rules and requirements, as well as handicap and event settings.
“As a global leader in the sports simulation genre, 2K is the perfect partner to kick off the new PGA TOUR 2K video game series and introduce the PGA TOUR experience to new players of all ages,” said Len Brown, PGA TOUR Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, Licensing. “We’re thrilled to see what the future of the franchise has in store, starting with PGA TOUR 2K21.”
“Golf is hotter than ever with celebrities, athletes and musicians playing the game and sharing their experiences on social media every day,” said Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing for 2K. “Our goal is to create the most authentic golf simulation experience ever, and HB Studios brings that authenticity in PGA TOUR 2K21, which is a true 2K game in every sense, incorporating realism, depth and fun that appeals to golf aficionados and casual fans alike.”
PGA Tour 2K21 is scheduled for release for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on the 21st August 2020.
