EA Sports PGA Tour 2023 is the latest golf game from EA Sports, and it features stunning course graphics and a unique gameplay experience that sets it apart from its competitors. This review will cover the presentation, gameplay, UI, career mode, online play, and skill progression, and provide an overall review of the game after more than 20 hours of playing it.
PRESENTATION
EA Sports PGA Tour boasts some of the most stunning course graphics in a golf game to date. The environments, vegetation, clouds, and lighting are all impeccably detailed, immersing the player in a virtual golfing paradise. I found the attention to detail particularly impressive in the still moments, where you can easily mistake the game for real-life footage. However, the same cannot be said for the character models, which look rather lackluster compared to the course graphics I’ve seen in other games. The facial expressions and overall design are not up to par with what I have come to expect from games like FIFA and NBA 2K. More on that later.
The music, sound, and commentary shine throughout the game when you play. The commentary is not redundant and there are some hidden gems when you get to cut scenes at specific courses. The course flyover accentuates the graphics to the point that I don’t want to skip them when I’m just playing. The commentators will mention previous holes in that tournament, previous rounds, and even previous tournaments altogether. It is very well done. If I was watching golf on TV and just listening to the commentators from the game I wouldn’t know the difference. I love when the commentators go down to the at-the-hole analyst who is in the crowd giving you his/her assessment of my next shot.
While the game’s presentation may not be all perfect, the level of detail in the courses and landscapes is enough to make up for any shortcomings in other areas like charachter creation. Overall, EA Sports PGA Tour’s presentation is a mixed bag, with impressive graphics in some areas and lackluster design in others.
GAMEPLAY
When it comes to the gameplay of EA PGA Tour, the first thing I noticed is that it feels slow compared to other golf games like PGA 2K23. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it allows players to take their time and strategize their shots more effectively. The mechanics are different from other golf games, but once players get the hang of them, they can be quite enjoyable. You can change the power of your shot based on whether you swing faster or slower, and this can help with accuracy. I definitely changed mine to faster as I was finding the default was too slow for my natural up-and-down motion of the analog stick.
One aspect of the gameplay that some players may appreciate is that the game is forgiving of bad shots. The dispersion area means that even if players hit a shot perfectly, it may not land exactly where they want it to. This adds a level of realism to the game and also makes it less frustrating for players who may not be as skilled at the game. This is a good and bad thing as I have hit several shots into the bunker but none of them were buried deep enough to make the next shop hard to get out. I hope EA fixes this. I want to be penalized and my opponent penalized for hitting into the sand with a driver. The roughs aren’t rough enough in my opinion either. That being said, the game still requires some skill to play effectively, especially as players progress to higher difficulties.
Another interesting aspect of the gameplay is the variety of courses available. Each course has its own unique challenges, and players will need to adapt their strategies based on the layout of the course. It’s also based on real-life courses so when you see Jordan Speith pitch a shot past a hole so it can come back toward the hole, expect that to happen on that same hole in the game. This adds an element of strategy to the game, as players need to think carefully about each shot they take. Additionally, the game includes real-life golfers that players can play as, which adds to the overall realism of the game. One thing I really liked was being able to replay some of the incredible shots that were done at Agusta this past weekend. For example, being able to re-create Gary Woodland, Scottie Scheffler, and Cameron Young’s 40+ foot putts was amazing. The greens read the same way they were played on Sunday; pin location, breaks, and all.
One of the other things about Gameplay is the number of shot types you have to work with. I found myself using these more and more as I unlocked them with my created player, but also got accustomed to not just using the default shot type the game gave me. Once I mastered the High Flop I never worried about overshooting the green again … lol. There are 20 different shot types to master in EA Sports PGA Tour, and each one plays a significant part in the overall strategy of a golf hole.
UI/MENUS
I really hate talking about UI and Menus in games but I do think it’s worth noting here. The UI and menus in EA PGA Tour are slow, cluttered, and not easy to navigate. Here is an example, I go into career mode to play with my created golfer but to upgrade him I have to come out of career mode and access the golfer tab to use change my equipment, upgrade my golfer, and customize my outfits. Some menus can take a bit of time to load, and navigating between different sections can sometimes be slow. This can be frustrating if you are trying to quickly make changes to your golfer or find a specific option in the store. Another issue with the UI is that some options are buried within sub-menus, which can make it harder to find what you need if you are not familiar with the game. I know it sounds bad but I’m hoping the slowness of the menus can get fixed and you’ll get used to where everything is once you start playing more.
CAREER MODE
The career mode in EA PGA Tour is one of the game’s standout features, providing you with an immersive PGA Tour experience. You can compete in all four majors and the FedEx Cup playoffs while playing with AI pairings. Additionally, you can customize your play style by setting up AI pairings for the first few rounds and then playing only with the final pairing to make the game more efficient. The journey begins as an amateur, and players can participate in five different tournaments on the amateur tour. Winning these tournaments allows players to qualify to play in the Masters or US Open as an amateur before moving on to the Korn Ferry Tour Q School.
The presentation of the career mode is top-notch, with stunning golf courses and commentary that talks about the leaders on the course and even mentions past performances and real-life moments that have occurred in previous tournaments. There are also hidden gems throughout the tournament rounds, making the experience even more immersive. However, the game’s progression system is where EA PGA Tour truly shines. Each time you level up in the game, you unlock two skill points, allowing you to improve your golfer’s stats in power driving, approach, short game, and putting. Completing challenges in the coaching academy and sponsor challenges is an excellent way to improve your player and level up quickly, making the career mode an ideal place to start.
The equipment system in the career mode is also noteworthy, with players having access to five different load-outs that cater to specific play styles. Additionally, completing quests throughout the game, such as winning specific tournaments, course mastery, and the road to the PGA tour, can earn you reward points that can be used to purchase new clothes and club specs. Everything you do in the game feels like you’re getting something, whether it’s reward points or progressing your player, providing a great sense of accomplishment. Overall, EA PGA Tour’s career mode is exceptional, providing an immersive experience with great presentation, a rewarding progression system, and plenty of customization options.
Golfer Customization
I wanted to touch on golfer customization a little, only because I think it’s horrible. The lack of customization for your golfer is pathetic for a title like this in my opinion. You can’t adjust the height or weight of your golfer, so every one is one of two shapes. There is no customization of the color of your skin, all presets. Even the hair options for both your head and your face are extremely limited. I went on a rant the other day about this but I just don’t understand how NBA Live 19 had facial scans so you can put on your player but in a 2023 game we can’t even get that. I want to be immersed in the game as if I’m out there. You know how you get closer to that, give us the ability to put our face on our golfer.
Online Play/Challenges
So one of my favorite modes in this game is the challenges. There are over a thousand of them, including sponsor challenges, featured challenges, and championship moments from all four majors and the LPGA tour. I have barely scratched the surface of them, and they can be tough, but they are a lot of fun. The Coaching Academy challenges are a great place to start because they unlock experience and gear, and you can upgrade your player. There are also challenges from recent moments like the 2023 PLAYERS Championship and the 2023 Masters which was just this past weekend and is already in the game. The only downside is that the menus are sluggish and slow, and it takes a while to get into and out of each challenge. If you are trying to get all of the stars for a challenge and have to restart, you have to go back to the beginning and skip all of the presentations before attempting again.
Moving on to the tournaments, this is where the game has longevity for online competitive gamers. You can compete in daily online tournaments against other players, weekly tournaments, and seasonal tournaments. You have two free tournaments every 12 hours, and even if you play terribly, you’ll still get 1500 reward points. These points allow you to play in the pro-level tournaments and the tour-level tournaments, but you have to spend reward coins to participate in them. Tickets are used to participate in weekly and seasonal tournaments, and you can earn them by playing the daily tournaments or buying them with real money. My only gripe about this is that I wish they limited how many times you can enter a tournament. Thus making the experience more rewarding when you do well and don’t get to repeat it. The rewards for the tournaments are fantastic, including a full set of custom masters golf clubs if you finish in the top 10% at Augusta National Tournament. I was able to win something even though I didn’t even finish at the top of the leaderboard. I played in 6 tournaments and did not experience one disconnect. I also have not played with any randoms either as when I search nobody was found. I played a couple of rounds with some friends and it was smooth. I just wish and I hope this is added later, but we need more modes in competitive H2H; which only offer Amen Corner at Agusta and a random 9 holes.
Conclusion
Overall, EA Sports PGA Tour 2023 delivers a solid golf game experience with stunning course graphics and an immersive career mode that is packed with customization options and a rewarding progression system. While the game’s UI and menus may be clunky and slow, the gameplay is engaging and enjoyable, with a variety of shot types to master and unique challenges on each course. The forgiving mechanics and dispersion area make the game accessible to players of all skill levels, while the variety of online challenges and tournaments offer a fun and competitive experience for players looking to test their skills against others. Despite some shortcomings, EA Sports PGA Tour 2023 is a must-play for golf fans and gamers looking for a unique and immersive golfing experience.