Is PGA 2K23 better than 2K21? A golf expert‘s in-depth comparison - 33rd Square (2024)

As a veteran golf gamer and sim enthusiast who has extensively played both PGA Tour 2K21 and the new 2K23 release, I can confidently say that 2K23 is a better, more polished game overall. However, the upgrades are more iterative refinements rather than game-changing revolutions. If you already enjoy 2K21 and aren‘t dying for new rosters and features, waiting for a price drop is reasonable. But for those ready to tee off with the latest offering, 2K23 is absolutely worth paying full price to upgrade your virtual golf experience.

Let‘s dive deep into the key improvements 2K23 brings over its predecessor:

Visual Presentation – Remarkably Realistic

The most immediately noticeable upgrade in 2K23 is the visual presentation – it simply looks more like actual golf on TV than ever before. Player models are far more realistic with enhanced textures, lifelike skin tones and authentic gear/apparel physics that elegantly move and react. Emotive facial expressions and fluid celebrations also help bring the pros to life. Environments are richer too – foliage density is increased for thicker natural settings and on-course objects have finer detail. Most impressively, lighting generates true-to-life shadows and reflections across dawn, daytime and dusk settings. When you combine all these gains with buttery smooth 60fps gameplay, no golf video game has ever achieved this level of visual realism.

Comparatively, 2K21‘s visuals now look dull and dated even just 2 years later. Trust me, once you see your first replay in 2K23, you‘ll be blown away by how much better it looks. The visual jump is akin to the tech progression seen in sports games between generations of consoles.

Refined Core Gameplay – More Skill Rewarding

Veteran players will be happy to know that 2K23 retains the same intuitive and responsive swing and shot mechanics core to the series. However, subtle enhancements to ball physics, club dynamics and player skill boards make the on-course action more authentic and rewarding of proper play.

The ball reacts more like the real thing, checking and releasing on greens based on factors like backspin, temperature and elevation in nuanced ways. Club face angle and impact point also influence launch angle and curve shape in a more accurate simulation. Player attributes like power and putting ability now have greater influence on shot outcomes to reward honing skills. Overall, the refined gameplay enhances the skill gap by demanding proper swing tempo, smart shot shaping, and expert reading of lies and wind. Casual players may struggle with the added realism, but for golf purists 2K23‘s refinements offer a heightened simulation experience.

Two Fun New Modes – Topgolf & Course Designer

2K23 intelligently expands the variety of play options with two new modes that provide engaging new experiences:

Topgolf

The popular driving range/mini golf hybrid has been authentically recreated in 2K23, offering a fun arcade-style competitive mode supporting up to 4 local/online players. The rules play out just like real-world Topgolf, with points awarded for accurately aiming shots at different color-coded targets. This fast-paced and social game mode is a great way to take a break from traditional golf and enjoy the 2K23 physics and skills in a casual environment against friends. After sinking hours into career and sim rounds, Topgolf is a welcome addition.

Course Designer

For players who want to try their hand at crafting their own dream course layouts, the Course Designer tools provide impressive depth and freedom. From sculpting fairways to dotting greens, the terrain shaping and object placement options enable stunning custom creations. While the learning curve is steep, the ability to build and share courses adds infinite replay value. I‘ve already enjoyed fantastic user-made courses exceeding EA‘s old PGA Tour offerings.

Upgraded Career Mode – More Progression Depth

MyCareer mode is expanded in 2K23 with greater depth for building up your custom pro golfer. A branching sponsorship system allows signing with brands like Adidas, Callaway and TaylorMade for perks and cash. Rivalries also develop organically with pros who challenge your ascent. And new side activities like taking on generated scenarios, playing practice rounds with coaches, and participating in pro-am events with celebrities provide fun new ways to hone skills and earn rewards. Combine the boosted career progression with enhanced training mini-games and 2K23 does a much better job keeping MyCareer engaging.

Expanded Roster – 14 Playable Pros

In terms of name recognition, 2K23 has a clear edge over 2K21 thanks to its expanded roster of 14 playable pros:

• Tiger Woods
• Justin Thomas
• Rickie Fowler
• Tony Finau
• Lydia Ko
• Brooke Henderson
• Will Zalatoris
• Collin Morikawa
• Lexi Thompson
• Justin Rose
• Xander Schauffele
• Jon Rahm
• Matt Fitzgerald
• Tony Finau

Cover athlete Tiger Woods rightfully gets top billing, with fellow stars like former #1 golfer Justin Thomas and fan favorite Rickie Fowler also making the cut. Furthermore, women‘s golf gets better representation with the inclusion of top 10 ranked pros Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson. While the 2K21 roster wasn‘t bad with 8 pros, 2K23 adds both quantity and star power that‘s appealing for any golf fan.

As fun novelties, NBA greats Michael Jordan and Steph Curry are now playable as bonus legends in 2K23. Unfortunately, their presence seems more like an attempt at crossover promotion with the NBA 2K series than meaningful additions. Neither basketball icon offers any unique skills or storyline purpose. Frankly I‘d rather have seen other real golfers like Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau or Dustin Johnson instead, but the core PGA roster is still quite strong.

Multiplayer Enhancements – Online Societies

Those wanting to take their skills online will appreciate 2K23‘s improved offerings. Private online societies allow groups of players to organize scheduled events, tournaments and full seasons while tracking stats. It‘s a great addition that enables playing consistent rounds with friends and rivals. Casual matchmaking is still available for quick pickup games too. As a big online player, I‘m thrilled by the added league and tournament options. The only thing missing now is a proper spectator viewing mode to watch other matches in progress.

In closing, I can wholeheartedly recommend PGA Tour 2K23 as a must buy for golf gaming fans, especially those who have been patiently waiting for a true next-gen experience. The combination of visual leap, added content and incremental improvements make 2K23 definitively superior to its already solid predecessor. While $70 is still steep, you get plenty of extra gameplay value over 2K21. Customization lovers can also purchase bonus DLC player packs and courses.

However, more casual players who still enjoy playing 2K21 with buddies or solo shouldn‘t feel compelled to immediately upgrade. 2K23 is undoubtedly better, but not radically different. Waiting for a discount down the road is reasonable if you aren‘t dying for the latest rosters and refinements. Regardless, with its exclusive licensing of the PGA Tour and its namesake stars, the 2K golf franchise remains the undisputed champion of virtual golf. 2K23 extends that dominance to current hardware and will satisfy both veterans and newcomers to the fairway.

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