Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

[scagwi]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

Ugh, perhaps it’s best I wait till the 60fps patch is released for PS5 to purchase then… any timeline?

Who knows on timeline

They've never said publicly that 60fps for consoles is even actually coming.

We are relying on "whispers from a YouTuber" here

Based upon how it's performing on PCs and the required hardware, I'm not even convinced they can do 60fps on the consoles.

The game engine appears to be really bogged down and over stressed here.

[tcnumba10]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

Who knows on timeline

They've never said publicly that 60fps for consoles is even actually coming.

We are relying on "whispers from a YouTuber" here

Based upon how it's performing on PCs and the required hardware, I'm not even convinced they can do 60fps on the consoles.

The game engine appears to be really bogged down and over stressed here.

That’s not promising to hear, but 30FPS doesn’t hinder the gameplay right? It doesn’t hinder the swing and where you want to place the ball I don’t think unless there’s stuttering mid swing which would be a no purchase automatically for me.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

If I had not had the benefit of playing the 10 hour play trial on my Series X, I would have been buying it. It's a gorgeous looking game and I would have bought it based on screen shots and videos alone.

The sad part is that it has one of the most lifeless swing interfaces of any golf game I've ever played. Not only is it capped at 30 FPS on the consoles, there's a built in lag between the start of the stick motion and the start of the golfer's backswing animation. I feel like I'm constantly trying to coax the animation into catching up with the stick, but it never happens.

I prefer playing golf games without the meters on and this one doesn't lend itself to that at all. There's a rumor that they're going to patch in a 60 FPS swing option at some point which * might* help, but if the animation start lag is still there, I don't think the 60 FPS is going to be enough to cure all that ailes it for me. I'll give it a chance though.

[scagwi]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

The sad part is that it has one of the most lifeless swing interfaces of any golf game I've ever played.

Exactly my problem with it.

How it looks fades away quick when I enjoy nothing about actually playing it, which is mostly all about how the swinging/short game/putting "feels"

And I think it "feels" .... awful

If I just want visuals, I can buy a BluRay tour of Augusta National - lol

[Oblong]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

I'm not a dev but I am in contact with them regularly and can 100% confirm they are taking tons of feedback and actively working on corrections and additions. I can't say exactly what at this moment due to NDA but there will be some info released in the coming days.

As for the game...I love it. Having a total blast playing it daily and eagerly anticipate more time with it. I have had some absolutely thrilling moments in career mode as well as a couple of online tournaments I have attempted. Going to run some h2h this weekend as I hear that is fun for many also.

Are there issues? You betcha, as there are with literally every game out there. The question for each individual is whether one can overlook them and still have fun. For me, I 100% can. Haven't found any that keep you from playing a round of golf. I hope they can knock a couple of my higher wishlist items out and they are along the same variety that I have seen others voice here.

My advice is do the trial or watch some online streamers to get a feel. There will be many who love it, many who don't, and there is no way any of us can extrapolate which camp you may fall into.

[scagwi]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

I'm not a dev but I am in contact with them regularly and can 100% confirm they are taking tons of feedback and actively working on corrections and additions. I can't say exactly what at this moment due to NDA but there will be some info released in the coming days.

It's probably not up to your Dev contacts, but someone really should run up the pole a bit and mention that "more communication" would be a really good idea.

So many basic things are missing that it leaves a really weird impression for longtime golf gamers.

(modes of play and play style options for private online matches come immediately to mind. That's so barebones it's almost unbelievable)

Folks on the PC side are just totally like "wtf is going on here?"
(see Steam forums as one example)

It would behoove EA to publicly say some stuff to assuage concerns.

[pietasterp]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

The sad part is that it has one of the most lifeless swing interfaces of any golf game I've ever played. Not only is it capped at 30 FPS on the consoles, there's a built in lag between the start of the stick motion and the start of the golfer's backswing animation. I feel like I'm constantly trying to coax the animation into catching up with the stick, but it never happens.

I prefer playing golf games without the meters on and this one doesn't lend itself to that at all. There's a rumor that they're going to patch in a 60 FPS swing option at some point which * might* help, but if the animation start lag is still there, I don't think the 60 FPS is going to be enough to cure all that ailes it for me. I'll give it a chance though.

The swing mechanism is basically the only thing that matters in a golf game, after the initial visual impression wears off. It's your only interaction with the game, and literally the only "active" action in the entire product.

I have not played this new EA game, but having put in plenty of time w/ Rory, it got boring FAST despite looking beautiful, because the swing mechanism and the game were just so boring and lifeless (to borrow Onlooker's perfectly descriptive phrase). It seems pretty apparent that this game is Rory McIlroy PGA Tour 2023, so I will probably pass for the time being.

[RIFRIG]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

I'm not a dev but I am in contact with them regularly and can 100% confirm they are taking tons of feedback and actively working on corrections and additions. I can't say exactly what at this moment due to NDA but there will be some info released in the coming days.

As for the game...I love it. Having a total blast playing it daily and eagerly anticipate more time with it. I have had some absolutely thrilling moments in career mode as well as a couple of online tournaments I have attempted. Going to run some h2h this weekend as I hear that is fun for many also.

Are there issues? You betcha, as there are with literally every game out there. The question for each individual is whether one can overlook them and still have fun. For me, I 100% can. Haven't found any that keep you from playing a round of golf. I hope they can knock a couple of my higher wishlist items out and they are along the same variety that I have seen others voice here.

My advice is do the trial or watch some online streamers to get a feel. There will be many who love it, many who don't, and there is no way any of us can extrapolate which camp you may fall into.

Similarly I’m enjoying playing video game golf again but it’s definitely not what I expected in terms of gameplay.
Do you know if there is a bug in the Simulation difficulty that’s allowing straight shooting.
It was my understanding that if Advanced shot shaping was enabled the ability to hit a 6 to 12 shot would be taken away therefore forcing the player to play with their chosen draw/fade bias.
This definitely isn’t happening on Xbox & there seems to be little benefit in shot shaping with that really nice new swing mechanic that Craig Penner spoke of prerelease.
Would it be possible for you to find out if it’s a bug or design choice. The way I thought this was going to pan out is that if you selected a Fade bias your control attribute increases would benefit the CAG on your preferred shot shape only. As is every shot shape gets easier as attributes increase.

What I’d like to see from a golfers perspective is a switch up in shot shape being a significant challenge for your CAG as it would be on a real golf course.

I’d appreciate it if you can find out but I know it’s a big ask so no worries if you can’t.

[Oblong]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

Similarly I’m enjoying playing video game golf again but it’s definitely not what I expected in terms of gameplay.
Do you know if there is a bug in the Simulation difficulty that’s allowing straight shooting.
It was my understanding that if Advanced shot shaping was enabled the ability to hit a 6 to 12 shot would be taken away therefore forcing the player to play with their chosen draw/fade bias.
This definitely isn’t happening on Xbox & there seems to be little benefit in shot shaping with that really nice new swing mechanic that Craig Penner spoke of prerelease.
Would it be possible for you to find out if it’s a bug or design choice. The way I thought this was going to pan out is that if you selected a Fade bias your control attribute increases would benefit the CAG on your preferred shot shape only. As is every shot shape gets easier as attributes increase.

What I’d like to see from a golfers perspective is a switch up in shot shape being a significant challenge for your CAG as it would be on a real golf course.

I’d appreciate it if you can find out but I know it’s a big ask so no worries if you can’t.

It's a fair question and all I can say is that the topic is being discussed. Its is my own belief that they dialed back on some difficulty for unknown reasons other than possible concern some would be put off. They are going to be monitoring things like scoring in tournaments and feedback from all over to gauge gamers desires. It is fantastic that you and all here are voicing their constructive criticisms.

I wish I could say more but the release of anything upcoming new has not been put into my hands so all we can do is impatiently wait for updates to come.

Keep in mind the official full release is today so anything changing isnt going to be overnight. There are some issues they can do hot fixes for easily so dont be surprised to see some changes that may or may not even show up as a download.

[TheBleedingRed21]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

If I had not had the benefit of playing the 10 hour play trial on my Series X, I would have been buying it. It's a gorgeous looking game and I would have bought it based on screen shots and videos alone.

The sad part is that it has one of the most lifeless swing interfaces of any golf game I've ever played. Not only is it capped at 30 FPS on the consoles, there's a built in lag between the start of the stick motion and the start of the golfer's backswing animation. I feel like I'm constantly trying to coax the animation into catching up with the stick, but it never happens.

I prefer playing golf games without the meters on and this one doesn't lend itself to that at all. There's a rumor that they're going to patch in a 60 FPS swing option at some point which * might* help, but if the animation start lag is still there, I don't think the 60 FPS is going to be enough to cure all that ailes it for me. I'll give it a chance though.

The framerate is not the reason it is delayed. I am around 75FPS and it still there on PC. I have found what is causing it, it is the way they have the animations tuned. I am trying like crazy on PC side to fix it.

[RIFRIG]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

The framerate is not the reason it is delayed. I am around 75FPS and it still there on PC. I have found what is causing it, it is the way they have the animations tuned. I am trying like crazy on PC side to fix it.

Just making it clear I’m not trolling.

Where is the delay on the swing. I have the game on Xbox & a Steam Deck & neither seem to have any noticeable delay between stick input & clubhead movement. Only problem I have seen is DJ putter takeaway where you pull back on the stick & the putter head doesn’t move instantly.
Maybe I’ve got used to low frames over the years on golf games but I just can’t see anything on full swings.

[Oblong]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

It's probably not up to your Dev contacts, but someone really should run up the pole a bit and mention that "more communication" would be a really good idea.

So many basic things are missing that it leaves a really weird impression for longtime golf gamers.

(modes of play and play style options for private online matches come immediately to mind. That's so barebones it's almost unbelievable)

Folks on the PC side are just totally like "wtf is going on here?"
(see Steam forums as one example)

It would behoove EA to publicly say some stuff to assuage concerns.

More official answer from EA:

Response to Community Feedback

This past week, we have closely monitored the community's feedback as you've all begun playing *EA SPORTS PGA TOUR*. Thank you to everyone who played the game and provided their thoughts on what they enjoyed or wanted to see improved.

** EDIT *\*

Earlier today, we stated that an update to the game would go live with a few fixes to EA SPORTS PGA TOUR. The update is currently slated for next week and we will let you know when we have more firm timing.

Today, an update is going live on all platforms to address several critical issues that the team identified:


* Fixed an issue that was putting players into a repeating loop when trying to claim tournament rewards.
* Fixed an issue in Career Mode that was causing some users game to crash when resuming a round of playoffs.
* Fixed a compatibility issue related to certain monitors and TV’s with Dolby Vision HDR that was causing the game to crash.
* Fixed an issue that would cause a crash if players changed menu tabs too quickly while tool tips were enabled.

These changes were prioritized for an immediate hotfix based on the number of players affected and severity of the issues. We are continuing to evaluate player reports and feedback to inform and prioritize future improvements to the game.


Our team is committed to ensuring that the community feels heard and understands their importance to the continued development of *EA SPORTS PGA TOUR*. We have plans to address some of the major pieces of feedback and questions that have come in from the community and will provide specifics around those changes next week.


Our goal is to provide you with as much transparency and context as possible and we want to thank you for your continued support of EA SPORTS PGA TOUR.

[lowpaiddonkey10]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

Not trolling you Oblong but while all of that is needed what about the game play problems like green grids showing left break while the putt breaks right.

[Oblong]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

Not trolling you Oblong but while all of that is needed what about the game play problems like green grids showing left break while the putt breaks right.

Ahh yes, one of my personal Top 3 issues. Been discussed for sure. Maybe not a snap of the fingers fix. I've been trying to live with it until then thinking it actually somewhat mirrors real life watching PGA tournaments and seeing how on some holes all the pros are getting the same bad reads on breaks. Obviously EA wasnt intentionally designing this lol.

[nwbaldw1127]

Re: Buy, Wait or Avoid? EA Sports PGA Tour

Hmm, to buy or not to buy. I have it on PC and overall I think it's worth it. This game does soo many things right but it just has a few things that could be tweaked with a patch. Graphics-great, already had been established but I'm probably in the minority that I don't think it's light years beyond 2k23. Better, yes, but 2k23 is still pretty good to me. Game atmosphere, also great. Think EA got this one right. Gameplay for me so far is a little mixed. I haven't really gotten the feel for what I did to hit a bad shot or a great one. I also think the ball gets way too much roll out on drives.
My favorite thing so far is something I never thought I'd say about an EA golf game. I think they handle the the skill reward points very well, while separately handling points for clothing and equipment.
Just started my career and really am enjoying having to pick which skills I choose to increase first to balance out my golfer.
With all this said, I believe I enjoy the gameplay on 2k23 more, but pretty much everything else goes to EA.