A modest golf game riddled with bugs that even a non-golfer such as myself cannot look past.

I played a single tournament (18 holes) in PGA Tour 2K21. This was only after restarting my game THREE TIMES due to the game not recognizing my controller. I was able to navigate menus just fine, but when it came to learning the basic controls, the game kept wanting me to play mouse and keyboard.

Finally, after getting the controller to work, I found myself stuck on one of the tutorial lessons. Not for lack of skill, mind you, but rather because the game couldn't recognize that I completed the objective. Eventually the game let me proceed, and I'm still not sure if this is due to a built-in failsafe that allows the player to continue despite failing the objective, or if it finally recognized I was doing what it asked of me.

Getting into the tournament, I played on the easiest difficulty, as I was sick and wanted something to relax. Because, what's more relaxing than golf? Not this game. No, sir. This game will have you feel like a fool for even picking it up. The commentary during the tournament added salt to my already-bleeding wounds. I am not a golfer, hence easy mode. I'm here to relax, hence easy mode. I am NOT here to be berated for not landing a hole-in-one or using the game-recommended clubs. It got to a point where I couldn't help but laugh at the commentary over my player (whose last name is, "Isbadatgolf," by the way).

I finished -6 under par; first place. And I finished this game knowing I probably won't pick it back up again.

Finished the epilogue March 10th 2024. Full review below.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the pinnacle of open-world games that others strive for.

We could talk all day about the gorgeous graphics and draw distances, the motion capture acting, or the tone of the story. But I really want to discuss the gameplay.

I hopped between RDR2 and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (playing both with Xbox One controllers) and I couldn't get over how GOOD RDR2's controls feel. Tapping "A" to make my horse gallop at varying speeds felt completely natural to me- as opposed to AC:O where you just hold "A" to go fast. They're different games for sure, barely comparable, but the fact I played two different open world games with horses from the year 2018... there's enough there to make a comparison. And I preferred RDR2.

Other gameplay elements like movement and combat felt like a massive leap from where similar control schemes were when Grand Theft Auto V released in 2013. Running and shooting feels buttery smooth, with VERY few moments that had me bewildered as to what happened on screen (turns out it was ME hitting the wrong button, not the game failing to register a press).

I will not divulge deeply into the story, but I will say it is well worth it to avoid spoilers at all costs. The story is incredibly well written and paced- one of my favorites in recent memory. It feels as if you're playing through a high budget TV show or movie. I laughed. I cried. I was filled with rage when my horse was nicked by a bullet. Red Dead Redemption 2 will make you feel emotion on every end of the spectrum.

I loved playing this game. I couldn't wait to get home from work or have a day off just to immerse myself in the world. I'm sad that it's over. I'm overjoyed I experienced it in the first place. I will never forget my first experience through this story, this world. I don't wish it were longer (there's still so much side stuff left for me to do if I so choose) and I don't wish for it to be shorter. It's perfect as is.

5/5. Masterpiece.

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ORIGINAL REVIEW: I’m only an hour into this game and it’s already a 5/5 for me. It’s gorgeous and I’m already engrossed in the story. I cannot wait to fully explore this gorgeous wilderness on my horse!