PGA Tour 2K25: A Modern Golf Masterpiece Marred by Unsavory Tactics and Greed

I have a special place in my heart for digital golf. It’s more than a hobby for me—it’s a passion rooted in nostalgia. Back in my teenage years, EA’s Tiger Woods golf games were my go-to stress relievers. Now, with a barely-used set of golf clubs collecting dust in my garage, I’ve realized a golf video game could fill that lingering void for me, providing the satisfaction of the sport without the time commitment.

Recently, I decided to dive into PGA Tour 2K25, hoping it could reignite that old spark. Having enjoyed 2K’s initial golf sim, it seemed the logical choice over EA’s offerings to see how much the virtual fairways had evolved. Confidently, I purchased the Premium Edition on Steam and felt elated with the decision from the outset.

Reflecting on the memories from 2021’s release, this new 2025 version has undergone significant refinement. It’s a polished and intuitive experience, particularly when it comes to the assists system, which is reminiscent of features in racing games like Forza Motorsport. The effortless blend of simulation and arcade elements makes it compelling for both casual gaming sessions and deeper engagement.

The game cleverly rewards players for customizing their experience. Just as Forza provides bonuses when you turn off certain driving aids, 2K25 lets you earn more experience by disabling certain golf assists. Confident in my ability to drive the ball, I disable aids for crosswinds, but when it comes to putting, I embrace all the help I can get. This balancing act allowed me to net 120% of the standard experience points, with the potential for skilled players to earn even more.

Experience points are pivotal as they unlock new rewards and advance a player’s capabilities. I appreciate how the game allows flexibility in how you approach your virtual career. You can opt to play only key holes in a round, letting the AI handle the rest, which eases pressure and time commitment. This thoughtful approach, along with additional features like training mini-games and press conferences, captures the essence of what I loved in classic golf games—striking a balance between serious simulation and enjoyable gameplay.

However, despite these positives, a stark issue casts a shadow over the game. The entwined currency system, dependent on both in-game earning and real-money purchases, is problematic. While spending virtual currency (VC) to upgrade equipment and player attributes isn’t new, the execution feels increasingly exploitative.

Originally, earning VC during the early access period felt balanced. Yet, following the official launch, a patch effectively slashed the VC acquisition rate, much to the community’s dismay. Reports suggest the time investment to max out a character skyrocketed from a substantial 92 hours to an exhausting 214. Prices for leveling up and buying crucial gear have surged by 60%, turning what was once a manageable grind into a blatant cash grab.

The backlash was swift and fierce, with Reddit users dissecting the numbers and reviews on Steam echoing frustration. Descriptors like “predatory” and “disgusting” frequently appear, expressing the community’s outrage at what feels like an underhanded tactic to push microtransactions.

Initially, my biggest complaints about PGA Tour 2K25 were minor: slightly cumbersome menus and sporadic pop-ups. However, those pale in comparison to this aggressive monetization strategy. It’s disheartening to see a game, which could arguably be the best golf experience in years, marred by a system seemingly more suited to a free-to-play model than a premium title.

It’s a real letdown. After delighting in the game’s mechanics and presentation, watching this issue unfold feels like missing a crucial putt on an easy hole—frustratingly undermining the overall experience. Such a shame for a game that had so much potential.