Load times are relatively quick, aside from some annoying animations that take place in between each shot. Character models, and everything else in the game – especially the environments – are realistically detailed and just make the game a more pleasant experience to play through. It’s a small gripe, but it can be kind of annoying. However, as with some other Frostbite 3 games, there’s a certain grainy look to the visuals that I noticed and also remember from the days of Battlefield 3. With the game running on the Frostbite 3 engine, PGA Tour has a clean and detailed look to its environments.
Having a large number of different courses is something even someone like me expects from a golf game, as one run through the season mode will provide you with almost everything there is to see in terms of the variety of courses. Seasoned players will quickly run through these courses and have little reason to return once they’ve mastered each course. However, there is a notable lack of courses in the game, with only 13 being available at launch. But I’ll tell you what, there’s a certain satisfaction to landing a ball on the green over the top of a beached warship. It adds some much needed variety for a player like me that doesn’t find much enjoyment out of the sport of golf in general. For example, you can play on the popular Battlefield 4 map Paracel Storm, or in the Grand Canyon, or even in The Wetlands of Green Cove Springs, Florida. What sets PGA Tour apart from the previous entries in the series, however, is the addition of some fantasy maps that take place across locations you’d never expect to see in a golf game. Or, if you want to use a mix of the different gameplay styles, you can customize them to your liking. At the beginning of the game you’ll be prompted to choose between arcade, classic, and tour gameplay styles. There’s three different ways you can control the game. Gameplay wise, PGA Tour works just as you’d expect. As the difficulty increases, you’ll unlock different powerups to help you finish some of the more “extreme” challenges, as well as unlock new characters and equipment. Then there’s the mode that I spent most of my time with – the rather entertaining Night Club Challenge mode, which pits you against over 170 different challenges that increase in difficulty as you go along three different courses.
There’s the expected TOUR PRO Career mode, which is exactly what you think it is, along with Head 2 Head matches and Online Tournaments for your more competitive itch.
As mean as they are, they can be rather entertaining and add some life to a sport that I, personally, find quite boring.įollowing the ending of the tutorial session, players have the option to take part in quite a few game modes. This is where the game’s commentators come in, featuring Rich Lerner and Frank Nobilo, and to my surprise, they really have no chill when it comes to missing a putt from less than a foot away (full disclosure: I suck at this game). This is used to allow players to test the skills they’ve just learned, and while it guides you along the way, it also expects you to make some shots of your own. Once you finish the game’s tutorial session, you’re dropped into a flashback-like session with Rory Mcilroy as he takes part in the US Open Championship at Chambers Bay. It’s a lot to take in, and the game obviously requires patience and practice to master, but the tutorial does a fair job of getting you on the ground running. Starting up PGA Tour, you’re right away treated to a rather in-depth tutorial about how the game’s mechanics work, what different kinds of shots you can make, different clubs to use and so on.
I’ve probably shot a few rounds here and there at a buddy’s house, but I’ve never really taken the time to learn how to actually play a game of golf. However, when I saw that EA was going with a bit more creative route for this year’s PGA Tour, I was inclined to check it out.Īs I noted in the beginning of this review, I’ve never really played an actual PGA game. I have not, however, ever really played golf games as it’s a sport that really just doesn’t tickle my fancy all that much. I’ve played everything from NFL, NBA, NHL, Madden and yes, even FIFA. I’ve played a lot of sports games in my day. Having said that, take this as a review from someone who’s just learning the ropes of how to golf. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One | Developer: EA Sports | Publisher: Electronic Arts | ESRB: Eįull disclosure: I’ve only played golf games a few times in my life, with my most notable golfing experience revolving around Super Mario Golf on the Nintendo Gamecube.