Top Spin 3

"Excellent game - stick with it and you'll be playing a great tennis sim"

I've been reading the postings on the TOP SPIN 3 boards and I thought I'd write a short review to put a few things straight.

Firstly you can't compare this game to Virtua Tennis 3. Virtua Tennis is an arcade game whereas Top Spin 3 is a sim (i.e an attempt to recreate the actual game of tennis). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy playing Virtua Tennis but it is oversimplified.

So the big question I suppose is should you go out and spend your hard earned cash on Top Spin 3?

Well if you're looking for a similar game to either Virtua Tennis or the original Top Spin for the Xbox (I haven't played the PS2 version so I can't comment) the answer is a resounding no.

Top Spin 3 isn't a pick up and play game. In order to reap its benefits and realistic gameplay you're going to need to spend some time putting in a lot of practice.

Why have 2K games changed things I hear you ask. Well think of what Konami did for Pro Evo on the Wii. A radical new approach which led to probably the best footie game about. But once again you need to put in the time practising before you get stuck in.

Back to Top Spin 3, once you've got your head round the controls you will begin to appreciate the depth this game has to offer. Winning points takes time. A bit of thinking is required i.e strategy just like in real tennis. You have to adapt. If you can't be bothered then you'll miss out.

Other great features are:

The create a player. This really has lot of depth to it. You can pretty much (if you are willing to spend the time) recreate any likeness. You want the tall russian blond female player you've got it. The only limitation that I encountered here was the haircuts/style. You only have 33 options plus the colour variations which is a lot but no option to make hair longer or not one that I came across.

The game also offers a Mall where you can spend points to acquire new equipment and clothes etc.,

Career mode is also very extensive (5 levels) , you start off as an amateur and make your way to the top when you reach Legend. Challenges are steady so no steep learning curve.

The game also offers a wide range of settings which start with a 'very easy' option which I found ideal when I was getting used to the new controls and to avoid the 'I can't win' frustration factor of some other games.

Graphics are good both on an HD TV and on a bog standard small kitchen portable. If you look closely you can see your player begin to sweet as they run out of stamina and things like the players hair move as they go to play a shot.

As I said above this is a tennis sim. So if your player's timing is out you'll notice that when they play a shot they look very awkward whereas if your timing is spot on then it's just like watching tennis on TV.

The PS3 version has Nadal as a bonus as I understand it he isn't on the 360 version of this game.

To sum up I'd say to the doubters out there. If you like tennis then give this one a go but do allow some time to learn the new set up. If you are one of those people who just hasn't got the patience to try new things then don't bother this game will only frustrate you.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/07/08

Game Release: Top Spin 3 (EU, 06/20/08)