Messing with formula is a risky move. Do the right thing and you catapult your brand to new heights, with many newcomers joining the party just to see what it’s all about. Screw up too much, however, and you not only alienate the newbies, but also turn off the very people that came to join your brand to begin with.
And, boy, did EA Sports PGA Tour land in a sand trap.
Following the delightful Rory McElroy PGA Tour, EA’s attempt to revitalize its golf franchise just feels like a big dud. Between gameplay mechanics that frustrate way too often, an online requirement that results in a number of disconnections, and other features that just come across more disjointed than expected, this just feels like a series of divots that never really form an entertaining round of golf.
That’s too bad, because it’s never looked better. Alas, looks aren’t everything. Just ask John Daly’s wardrobe.
How Do You Mess Up Golf Mechanics? Like This, Apparently
The original PGA Tour games (including the Tiger Woods ones on Xbox 360 and PS3) actually worked fine for me, because the team had a superb analog swing system that was fine to the touch, and also let you mess around with other options – including shot types – to make your game even better.
EA Sports PGA Tour has a similar structure, with so many shot types to choose from (including new ones to unlock), as well as other features (a putting line, the ability to draw, fade and guide your shot), but it never really comes together. Why? Because the swing and mechanics feel off.
Using the analog stick, you’ll be lucky to get a proper swing each time. That’s because, all too easily, you can overpower by accident and end up missing the green entirely. And that’d be fine if it was an occasional error, but it happens all too much. Putting feels better, but this isn’t a game of mini golf here. You have to have a total package.
Even if you change to the less complicated three-tap button system, however, things still don’t work out. That’s because the ball physics are way off, as if the ball has a mind of its own. Case in point – chip shots are a crapshoot because if you somehow even miss the flag by an inch, the ball will roll past it by thirty feet. Thirty. And if it does hit the flagstick, it could bounce out even further.
I’m sure there are things to do in real golf that would prevent mistakes like this, but the fact that EA Sports PGA Tour makes them so badly is a real headache.
It’s got lot of other features and, provided you could accept the gameplay, they are noteworthy. There are more than 30 courses here, along with various PGA rookies (no Tiger Woods – he’s in PGA Tour 2K23 now) and a create-your-own-golfer option. But they feel like they don’t have a complete structure, as if they were merely tacked on. Plus, the game demands you stay online, even if you’re just playing a quick round. And if there’s the slightest disconnection, well, you’re screwed.
This is a poor decision, because Rory McElroy PGA Tour fared way better than this in terms of performance and a lack of requirements. This just feels like you’re stuck in a flawed golfing world where you struggle just to even make par. Not fair at all.
At Least It Looks and Sounds Okay
It’s a shame that PGA Tour’s gameplay is so warped and out of it, because the game looks really good. It features some accurate course design, along with neat golfer animations and even little particle effects, like getting your ball out of a sand trap.
There has been an increase in performance mode, thanks to a recent patch. Still, oddly enough, it doesn’t help the faulty gameplay like we thought it would. But for some golf nuts, a good looking game might be enough. Note the word “might.”
The game also features authentic sound effects, which are really hard to mess up, along with some interestingly smooth music choices. I would’ve preferred a more contemporary soundtrack to keep things interesting, but oh well.
Surprisingly, the commentary team does a decent job here. Rich Lerner, Frank Nobilo, Notah Begay III, Iona Stephen and Nick Faldo provide some solid play-by-play here, though they do occasionally fall behind. Still, they know this game rather well. Too bad they couldn’t offer their own feedback on the poor gameplay.
Leave This One In the Bag
Sigh. I was going into EA Sports PGA Tour expecting the level of greatness I’ve come to realize over the years. After all, it had to be a big push forward over Rory McIlroy, yes? Sadly, that isn’t the case. Ill-tuned gameplay, mixed with lacking features and an online connection requirement just make me want to find a better, simpler golf game.
Thankfully, Rory’s still in my game collection, so I’ll be headed over to that green if anyone needs me.
