After having not produced any golf titles sinceRory McIlroy PGA Tourin 2015, EA Sports finally announced that it would be returning to the golf sim genre withEA Sports PGA Tour. Expected to release sometime in 2022,EA Sports PGA Touris being touted by developer EA Tiburon as a next-gen golf title built on the Frostbite engine, used in other EA games likeBattlefield 2042,Madden 22, andFIFA 22.
No longer featuring a cover star like the previous Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods, the game is set to include various real-world golf events like the Players Championship andexclusive rights to the prestigiousPGA TourMasters Tournamentat Augusta National. With EA Sports promising features like stunning graphical fidelity, immersive environments, and dynamic gameplay, golf fans are excited to have another EA golf game on the market after such a long hiatus.
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PGA Tour Can Surprisingly Learn a Lot From Mario Golf: Super Rush
While it’s expected thatEA Sports PGA Touris going to be a golfing simulator, that doesn’t mean there aren’t lessons to be learned from other more arcade-like golf titles such asMario Golf: Super Rush, which was released on the Nintendo Switch in June of this year.The sixth installment of theMario Golffranchise,Super Rushcontinued the series’ accessible and charming representation of golf, and it’s this accessibility thatPGA Tourwould be wise to consider.
Real-world golf is an exceedingly complex and difficult game, oftentimes frustratingly so. While EA Sports generally takes a simulation-focused approach to its titles, a vast number of configurable options could go a long way in allowing players to ease their way into the intricacies of the game.HB Studio’sPGA Tour 2K21was praisedfor finally lowering the barrier of entry in its latest golf title, after earlier versions were known for being incredibly difficult for new players to get into. As such, EA Sports needs to ensure that its newest golf game is playable for everyone likeMario Golf, but still has the depth that golf fanatics want.
Mario Golf: Super Rushalso has a rather impressive suite of modes that could be adapted to fit the newEA Sports PGA Tourgame as well. While regular modes like a career or competitive online play are expected, andwomen’s golf has been announced forEA Sports PGA Tour, some more non-traditional modes could give players additional golfing variety.
The aptly titled “Speed Golf” mode has been seen as a fast, frantic, and fun way to play a quick round with friends, and has been included in a toned-down fashion in the olderTiger Woods PGA Tourgames in the past.Mario Golf’s “Battle Golf” could also be made to fit the more realistic title as a skills competition of some sort that could be great fun as an online mode.
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Distinctive Characters Could Help EA’s PGA Tour Stand Out
Nintendo games are often known for theirwhimsy and level of detail, andMario Golf: Super Rushcertainly follows that trend. Characters all have their own distinctive golf swings and animations; Donkey Kong brute forces his shots with one hand, whereas Luigi has a smooth stroke full of finesse. Unique animations for each licensedPGA Tourgolf pro could allow them to stand out from each other. Player-created characters could have customizable animations to allow gamers to make their own golfers.
WithPGA Tour 2K21being a rather straight-laced golfing sim, it could be highly beneficial for EA Sports to try and add in some more arcadey elements fromMario Golfto try and differentiate with its ownPGA Tourtitle. Alternative game modes with an emphasis on fun, distinctive player characters, and a focus on accessible depth could all allowEA Sports PGA Tourto stand out from other golfing titles.
EA Sports PGA Touris set to release in 2022 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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