The latest offering from PAM delivers on all fronts, with innovative new controls, clean looks and modes aplenty.
It features completely new gameplay mechanics to deliver a technically superior game of Tennis. Unfortunately, those looking to this after loving Virtua Tennis 3 may find it quite a struggle to adapt. Firstly, it is a lot slower and trust me, that isn't a bad thing. It allows you more time to aim your returns and regain composure. Second, the way of actually hitting the ball is different. In Virtua Tennis, you simply ran (at amazing speed) towards the ball, charged up a Power Smash in about 0.25 seconds, and let rip. This may be a slightly more fun way to play, but come on, this generation demands pinpoint accuracy that mirrors the sport.
So, picture this. Your opponent, drunk on his own sense of power, hits a poorly timed shot, and you have a while to think about your choices. You opt to play a smooth slice placed straight to the corner. As soon as the ball comes off the other players racket, you hold X (X being slice) and then you move to the position needed to get the most out of your return, your shot charging while you move. You will know you are in the right position because your player won't move anymore. Use this time to aim your shot. Next, you release the X button at the right time, to get the maximum potential out of your swing. Release too early and you probably will swing at nothing, the ball zipping past you. Too late, and you will hit a weak shot and lose your balance. The system works well, but sometimes, you may forget to hold or let go of a button, or randomly hit a shot wide or at the net. Yes, it sound's complicated, and you will probably have some trouble for the first few games, but you will begin to understand how to pull off complex moves like drop-shots, lobs and risk shots. Speaking of risk shots, they are one of the game's biggest problems. Pulling off risk shots take exact timing, so sometimes it is better not to use them if you don't have to.
Can't grasp the new change? The Top Spin School is the place for you. Here you will learn the new controls, via training exercises that give you feedback on your timing and positioning. Even if it is a 'School', some of the training sessions are difficult. With those down, you can move on to the risk shots and other advanced techniques. So even if you are a veteran, going back to school to hone your timing and power is a good idea.
Your abilities are now up to par with the champions. But how do you challenge them? Exhibition matches, which allow you to pit any characters against each other in singles and doubles. Sure, that's fun, but wouldn't you rather become the next John McEnroe yourself?
The Top Spin series is renowned for its excellent player creator, and the third revision doesn't fail to impress. Starting with a base model (these range from caucasian, to yellow, to black) and you are then presented with a host of different settings. You can beef up his chest, thicken his eyebrows, pucker his lips, everything is there. I just wish there were more hairstyles to choose from, because too many of them are 'Exreme'. You can really take your monster to the next level of ugliness by using the new 'Sculpt' feature. Using this, you can directly modify, in real time, your characters face. When you click on Sculpt, one half of your stars mug will have white dots in key positions (eye pupil, end of eyebrow, bridge of nose, bottom lip etc.). Selecting these dots, you can drag them, and they will edit that part of the face. So let's say I clicked on the dot at the end of my stars lip. moving the analog stick left or right, I can lengthen or shorten the length of his kisser. Get it?
But don't stop there. You can also select from numerous different serve types, what type of forehand and backhand you use and even choose a grunt type! It's obvious that PAM wanted to continue the sucess in this area, because it is so fleshed out you could spend hours creating your own champion.
But what do you do with this finely sculped master? Again, PAM have included another great mode, the Career. It works the same way as the previous iterations, but the presentation and navigation have been completely redone. There are now 5 levels, and each level has an objective. If you complete the objective you are raised to the next level. You're dropped into the 'Amateur Level' and your objective is to beat 3 newcomers. When that is done, you come to 'Challenger Level'. The objective is essentially the same, but against harder opponents. The 'Junior Level' is where it all kicks off. There is now a calendar, with an easy and hard tournament on each month. Your aim is to have a certain ammount of 'Season Points' at the end of the year. The easy tourney's are less forgiving, but you don't get as many points. Unfortunately, it isn't as in-depth as is could be, where are the sponsor challenges? Where are the training sessions? I understand that they aren't needed, but they add variety and fun to the game.
The graphics are fantastic. The player models, while not being true to their real life counterparts, are full of detail. As a match plays on, you can see sweat dripping from foreheads and staining underarms. I'm not just talking about the players here, the crowd look just as good from far away. The arenas the matches take place in look great as well, with reflections from skylines blazing onto the floor, casting shadows. Talking about arenas, there are over 40 different places to hold a game, and about half are fictional. Wimbledon being one of them. Or should that be 'The London Open'? Surely it couldn't have been too much trouble to add in one of the greatest Grand Slams ever?
Each pro has their signiature serve. From Bjorg's straight arm to Roddicks bend, everything is as you would expect it to be. Except for one thing. Serves are the only thing signiature for the players, which means they all hit the ball with the same animations. Apart from Roger Federer. He is the only player who has completely different animations from everyone else.
The animations are top-notch, with players sliding on clay, stretching for long balls, and bending backwards to avoid a ball in the jaw. The running motions are also good, but sometimes it can feel like you are moving to slow around the baseline, or running forward to hit an oncoming shot. The 'Emotion' button from Top Spin and the sequel has been removed, instead players show hapiness or anger themselves, depending on the situation. These are a nice touch but can get repetitive.
The sound effects are superb. Grunt's echo, the crowd react louder on the more important points and the racket-on-ball sounds are as they should be, unlike the plasticky sound from Top Spin 2. The game also now features a liscensed soundtrack, featuring The Go Team!, Calvin Harris, Jamiroquai and more. The tunes are really catchy, but it is a shame there aren't more of them, as you hear the same songs too often.
Top Spin 3 really is as good as it looks. The new gameplay mechanics, though dificult at first, make it a realistic tennis experience. This is all helped by the smooth graphics and great soundtrack. It has it's problems, but they are only skin deep. Any tennis fan or anyone looking for a true-to-life game that they can sink their teeth into should not hesitate to pick this one up.
THE SCORE:
GAMEPLAY
Plays like any tennis game should. The new mechanics,
while hard to learn, make Top Spin 3 a joy to play.
9/10
GRAPHICS
Great looking models, weather effects and fatigue system. The
menu colours are not very varied.
8/10
SOUND
Great set of tunes in the soundtrack, but a bit too repetetive.
The sound effects are great to listen to.
8/10
LASTING APPEAL
Lengthy and challenging career mode with good online play.
A variety of game modes will keep you coming back.
8/10
OVERALL:
8.5