Topspin 2K25 test, the simulation is back and that's good!

Since the first try, there are a few small changes and refinements concerning the gameplay and it's not so bad. And finally, the cherry on the cake, if we were able to test it on consoles, a large part of this test was done on the SteamDeck. Because let's not lie to ourselves, a tennis game is good, a tennis game anywhere is much better!

Graphics

As you might expect, when it comes to graphics, it's mediocre. Indeed, because the game is made to be available not only on PC and current generation consoles, but also on previous generation consoles, the graphics are not necessarily up to par with what other sports game references on the market offer! Now, did that bother us, not in the least! Because we know, the most important thing about this type of game is especially the simulation part, we will come back to that.

So, regarding the graphics, what can I say? There are many stadiums and they are well modeled. Where it falls short is in the players we play as, if they are easily recognizable, it is clear that 2K Games could have offered better. So yes, we understand the importance of addressing the greatest number with the management of PS4 and other Xbox One, but many on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC would have liked better modeling. Now, as we said above, this did not spoil our experience in any way. The proof, we played most of the time on a SteamDeck and if the game is not "verified", it runs very well, especially when you choose a "low" quality which allows for better overall fluidity, an important thing in a game where everything is a question of timing.

The simulation

We had already said it when we got started but the first thing we find from the first exchanges are the sensations of TopSpin 4 for our greatest pleasure. TopSpin still has one of the most beautiful tennis video game licenses but the difference with Virtua Tennis and Mario Tennis which are arcade, is that TopSpin is above all a simulation, a real one. Timing is super important and all the physics around the strike and the ball arrives for a reason. A bad positioning, a strike too early or too late and it is one more opportunity for the opponent to take the point. So, we find this atypical gameplay 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, you position your player, you arm by pressing the shot button and the shot is done automatically as soon as the ball arrives at the right place. The longer the press, the more powerful the blow, but in more arcade games, it is above all an anticipation of the player's position to press the blow button as long as possible before striking.

In TopSpin, we find this principle of long support but we also have the obligation to release the button at the moment of the strike to simulate when a tennis player “releases” his shot in tennis. It is very subtle but in play, it is felt immediately and gives this impression of making a perfect shot. Unlike TopSpin 4, we now know as soon as we start the shot the place on the bar where we will have to release. This allows beginners to do better but it is much less simple than it seems and it will take practice. Remember, a non-optimal shot is one more chance for your opponent to return a shot that is impossible to recover.

Another new feature is that the longer you press one of the keys, the more powerful the shot, but for it to be powerful, the new indicator (a red circle) must appear in full. This requires a certain amount of time and will force the player to anticipate and position themselves well to deliver a shot that is both powerful and precise. All shots are allowed and we can only advise you to do the TopSpin Academy with John McEnroe to train well before going to face the hordes of online players who all have this thirst to show you that they are the new virtual Roger Federer. The most complicated thing remains not only the release at the right time but especially the direction that is made at the time of the release but that we must control in order not to hit outside. Timing we told you!

On the menu

On the menu of this Top Spin 2K25, we find classics of the classics. Thus, there are no less than 25 characters available. Some will criticize that there are very few players on the current circuit but the biggest fans will forgive this lack with the presence of legends like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, André Agassi or John McEnroe. So yes, no Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal but who knows, maybe with a future DLC? 2K Games has promised that new players will be available for free. The list of players is HERE.

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 before the release, not to mention the Season's Passes that will allow other players to join the game.

As for the courts, we obviously find those of the Grand Slams but also a good number of Masters such as Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, etc. Afterwards, it is mainly a question of aesthetics since tennis is played on only a few surfaces (hard, grass and clay) and each tournament does not have exclusivity on the surface but fans will appreciate this choice. We are talking about a total of 48 different courts! The list of available courts is HERE.

As for the modes, there is a Career mode called MyCareer which allows you to create your own player (MyPlayer) and travel the world to become the best player in the world. Like all Career modes, we found it very repetitive and it will only retain the most determined. As we said above, there is the TopSpin Academy with John McEnroe which will allow you to learn not only the basics but also advanced techniques. We definitely recommend it because it is a game that requires mastery to go and tease the best players in the world.

Availability and Season-Pass

TopSpin 2K25 is available in three editions, a Standard edition, a Deluxe edition and a Grand Slam edition. While the Standard Edition is available today, October 26, 2024, those who purchased the Deluxe and Grand Slam Editions can play it from April 23, 2024. And for platforms, TopSpin 2K25 is available on Xbox Series X|S, ... S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.

It's all the rage now, and TopSpin 2K5 is no exception by offering seasonal passes. Each season lasts between 8 and 10 weeks, and each level allows you to unlock cosmetic items, XP boosts, etc. It’s a classic of the classics.