Ace, Lob, Spin, Coupé, Plat, Volley, Smash, etc. If all these words evoke a feeling in the user, it is because the latter loves Tennis. And that is good because this is our case at Journal du Geek. It was at the beginning of the year that we learned of the return of THE reference in terms of tennis video games.
Release date
We are obviously talking about a license and not just any license since it is TopSpin. Indeed, we have to go back to 2011 on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 to find the last game in the series and what a surprise it was to learn of the return of TopSpin with a new title, TopSpin 2K25 quite simply. As you will have noticed, TopSpin is now part of the 2K Games family with reference licenses like NBA 2K.
TopSpin 2K25 will therefore be available in three editions, a Standard edition, a Deluxe edition and a Grand Slam edition. If the availability date of the Standard edition is planned for April 26, 2024, know that those who have the Deluxe and Grand Slam editions will be able to play it from April 23, 2024. And for platforms, TopSpin 2K25 will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam.
The ultimate simulation
We also had the chance to get our hands on a preview version last week. And the first thing we can tell you is that we find all the sensations of TopSpin 4 for our greatest pleasure. TopSpin still has one of the most beautiful tennis video game licenses with Virtua Tennis and Mario Tennis. If these last two are resolutely arcade in terms of playability, TopSpin has always been a simulation in its own right.
As a result, we find this atypical playability that perfectly simulates the preparation of a shot and the hitting of the ball when releasing the shot. Yes, remember, usually in a tennis game, we position our player, we arm by pressing the shot button and the shot is done automatically as soon as the ball arrives in the right place. The longer the press, the more powerful the shot, but in more arcade games, it is above all an anticipation of the player's position to press the shot button for as long as possible before hitting.
In TopSpin, we find this principle of long press but we also have the obligation to release the button at the moment of hitting to simulate when a tennis player “releases” your shot in tennis. It’s a very subtle difference but in-game, it’s felt right away with an additional thing to manage to allow the perfect shot. In TopSpin 4, we were only told after the fact if we had released the button at the right time. Yes, because if we release too early or too late, it’s like hitting too early or too late, the shot works but we’re far from optimal. This year, on TopSpin 2K25, we have a green indicator, which simplifies the system somewhat but it’s still a stroke to learn and it will take practice to get through all your best shots. So don’t wait to make a passing shot along the line by hitting the ball too early or too late.
With a baseline game, you have time to prepare your releases. As you will have understood, it gets complicated with a net game that will require being synchronized in a very short time to release at the right time. But as a result, at the net, you mainly need to cut the ball and therefore no need to "prepare" your shot! And finally, for the serve, you will use the right analog stick to simulate the ball throw by pointing the stick down and raising the stick to the right place to hit the ball. It is also during this rise that you will put the direction there but at the risk of making a mistake! With words, it is always complicated but we assure you that once everything is mastered, it is a pleasure to play TopSpin. Every optimized shot is a pleasure and this system allows players to be proactive and not reactive!
On the menu of festivities
On the menu of this Top Spin 2K25, we find classics of the classics with a TopSpin Academy to learn the basics. Moreover, it is John McEnroe himself who will train the future stars of the courts. Speaking of courts, we find all the surfaces for the moment and during this preview version, we were able to discover these courts:
- Indian Wells Tennis Garden (hard)
- Wimbledon Centre Court (grass)
- Roland-Garros Court Philippe Chatrier (clay)
- US Open Arthur Ashe Stadium (hard)
- Australian Open Rod Laver Arena (hard)
Of course, other courts are present and they will be revealed before the game's release. The same goes for the athletes, we find many big names in the world of Tennis and iconic players like:
- Roger Federer
- Serena Williams
- John McEnroe
- Andre Agassi
- Steffi Graf
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Iga Świątek
- Frances Tiafoe
- Emma Raducanu
- Coco Gauff
It should be noted that some participated in the motion capture to propose their own movements and be as close as possible to reality. Unsurprisingly, other players will join the game between now and release, not to mention the Season’s Passes that will allow even more players to join the game.
0 Comments