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Top Spin 4
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Top Spin 4
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Federer
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By Tristan Tancredi The latest release in the top spin franchise serves up plenty for the die hard tennis nut. Another
installment for the Top Spin series, and as you would expect, the aim
of the game: Hit the ball back to the top of the screen. (Much like
Pong some 40 years earlier). If you're not a tennis gamer, stop
reading now, as this game will bore you to tears. But I have to
ask..Why would you be reading a tennis game review in the first place
if you hated tennis? 2k Sports has mastered all the aspects of
Gameplay in Top Spin 4. Baseline rallies are designed for the use of
POWER or PRECISION shots which take some getting used to. All the
tricks are there for the gamer to learn, including advancing to the
net, drop shots, slice, top spin, lob. Basically any shot you can think
of in tennis, this game has it. A Tennis Academy training section is
also available. The TV Camera views are brilliant, as are the
graphics. The court and player sounds are very realistic and place the
gamer inside the vast array of courts and stadiums available.
Technically, this game is amazing, and I found it quite difficult to
find any flaws. It looks, feels and sounds like a tennis match should. Despite the brilliance of the look and feel of the game, the makers have still slammed a few balls into the net in production. Career
mode is very basic and somewhat boring. It simply feels like you are
going through the motions. Winning easy games until the major
tournaments. You can't change the length of a game once you have started a career. You can't edit your created person once saved. (Not a big qualm, but a qualm nonetheless). The
first thing I wanted to do was jump straight into the French Open as
Djoko. However there is no option for this or any of the Majors.
Disappointing, as I would have kept the Jokers amazing streak in tact.
The
big seeds are all there for the men, including: Nadal, Federer,
Djokovic, Murray and Roddick. A smaller assemblage of stars for the
women, including: S.Williams, Ivanovic, Wozniacki and Jankovic are
available. The greatest serve volleyer in the game, Pete
Sampras, is a legend within game. He is accompanied by Becker, Bjorg,
Rafter, Lendl, Agassi, Courier and Chang.
Top Spin 4 is clearly
only a game for lovers of the genre. And for these fans, it is an
absolute ripper. For other gamers, it would probably find a nice place
on the shelf after a day or two. Game, Set, Match: 2K Sports. Game: Top Spin 4
System: Playstation 3
Developer: 2K Czech
Publisher: 2K Sports
Rating: 75%
(Ratings
Key/Explanation)
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