PGA Tour 2K25: A Decade’s Best Golf Game Marred by Sneaky Tactics and Greed

There’s just something about a leisurely game of digital golf that really captivates me. Back in the day, EA’s Tiger Woods series was my go-to escape, a little pixelated haven to unwind in as a teenager. Fast forward to now; while real-life golf intrigues me, my clubs usually just gather dust in the garage, victims of my all-too-busy schedule. That’s where a virtual golf experience like PGA Tour 2K25 comes in, filling that void rather nicely.

So, when I saw PGA Tour 2K25 hit the shelves, I figured it might be just the thing to fit into my gaming free time. Remembering how impressed I was with 2K’s initial golf venture, I decided to stick with them over EA’s alternative, eager to see the advancements they’d made. A swift click on Steam, a somewhat impulsive investment in the Premium Edition for early access, and I was all set. The excitement was real.

Fast forward to exploring the game, and it’s clear that 2K has polished its act since 2021. The 2025 edition is a smoother, more intuitive experience, boasting a user-friendly interface. What particularly stands out is the assists system, borrowing a neat trick from racing games like Forza Motorsport. It’s a clever way to strike a balance between appealing to both hardcore simulation fans and those who prefer a more arcade-like approach.

Here’s the gist: opting for an arcade-style game reminiscent of the PS2 EA Tiger Woods era means your custom career player earns 100% of the experience per golf round. But here’s where it gets interesting—dialing down on features ups your EXP gain, letting you level up faster.

Drawing parallels with racing, there’s a strategic element at play. In Forza, I ditch the racing line for an EXP boost; similarly, in PGA Tour, I’m fairly confident in my driving skills, so I tweak settings for wind compensation and swing forgiveness. But when it comes to putting? Yeah, I’m all about those assists.

In customizing my settings, I managed a 120% EXP gain over the typical rate. Advanced players can no doubt push this even higher, providing an enticing challenge.

Now, about the EXP – it’s crucial. It opens up rewards, boosts player levels, and provides the currency for new gear. Yet, the game elegantly keeps things relaxed with the right assists, with the added bonus of letting you adjust settings for a more authentic, challenging gameplay if desired.

This fits seamlessly with how the career mode operates. Rather than insisting you play every hole, it lets you tackle just a few while the AI handles the rest. It’s a relief, frankly—though fully customizable if you want to tackle each shot yourself. Off the course, there are diversions like training mini-games and press conferences.

Ultimately, this blend of accessibility and challenge echoes what I’ve always appreciated in older golf titles. Just like how actual golf is an inviting sport where equipment can be easily borrowed, the digital equivalent offers a chance to experience high-level play without the real-world stress golf can sometimes bring me.

But there’s a catch. For all the enjoyment PGA 2K25 brings, there’s an underlying problem—one notably underscored by the first update post-release.

In the game, advancing your ‘myPLAYER,’ your personalized golfing avatar, is tied to currency you earn—or purchase. New clubs? Currency. Apparel? Same. Boosting your player’s stats follows suit, heavily dependent on VC.

Granted, lots of games employ a currency-based progression system. But this game takes it a step further. Initially, during the early access phase, VC earnings maintained a decent pace. But come final release, an economic shift occurred, subtly slowing VC acquisition significantly.

Reddit users, crunching the numbers, uncovered a stark increase. To achieve a level 99 player character, time investment jumped from an already substantial 92 hours to an overwhelming 214. The VC required for crucial upgrades increased by 60%. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a strategy pushing players towards more spending.

I may be far from the pulse of the PGA 2K community, but even I noticed the stark contrast before and after the shift—a realization backed by Reddit findings. User reviews on Steam have turned brutal, frequently highlighting the game’s “predatory” tactics. Personally, I’d call it outright “disgusting.” I have a few choice words for this business model, but let’s keep it clean.

I was genuinely enjoying PGA Tour 2K25, but this revelation dampened my enthusiasm. My initial gripe—minor menu lag and excessive pop-ups—now pales in comparison to a system more aligned with a mobile free-to-play model, needlessly tied to prolonged grinding or additional spending.

To put it bluntly, such systems are defensible in free-to-play stylings. But this game? Players are shelling out significant money for it. For something positioned as the best golf game I’ve played in a decade, it feels tarnished—a promising round ruined by a final, frustrating putt. What a disappointment.