Top Spin 3

"Not the Best, Not the Worst"

Top Spin 3 is a tennis video game, released in 2008. In my opinion, it is mediocre. It wasn't solid like Top Spin 2 was. The gameplay was bland. The graphics, however, were amazing. They were much better than any tennis game I've ever seen. I hope that you find this review useful in looking for a tennis game.

GAMEPLAY 6.2/10

Okay, I didn't personally like the gameplay. I was mediocre, average. That's not what I look for. I look for above and beyond. This game didn't do it for me. I wanted a more Top Spin 2 career mode. You know, you start out as #200 and you rise slowly and steadily. In this game's career mode, you start out at the bottom, and, after winning a major tournament, you go straight to the top 10. OK, what was the point?

The controls were a whole lot different from Top Spin 2. In Top Spin 2, you held the shot button down, and it hit it automatically. Now, in Top Spin 3, you hold the button down to prepare your racquet, and release it about the time you would actually hit the ball. It's all about timing, which makes it so much more difficult. There are also two other added affects, the RT and LT will add power and make you shots more risky. I liked that, because it was easier to apply power to the ball than in Top Spin 2. You can also use the Right Stick to have a more convenient lob or drop shot.

The game also features an online mode, World Tour. In World Tour, each season lasts 15 days. That's two a month. I would've liked it to last longer. But, I'm fine with it. You play other gamers' created players. The lag is bad, especially when you're playing people in France or other foreign countries. But, that's the same for every other game on Xbox Live.

The game features many pros, such as Justine Henin, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, and some legends such as Monica Seles and Boris Becker. See anyone missing here? Yes, Rafael Nadal is not in this game. He's a PS3 exclusive. That does not make since at all. Why would a World No. 1 player not be in this game? Why would he be an exclusive? Go ask 2K Sports, though I doubt they'll give you an answer.

There is also a tournament mode that features more than 30 tournaments, which include all the major tournaments (except Wimbledon). You gain a lot of XP if you play using your own player. The player creator system has gone a long way. It is the only good thing about the gameplay. So, you created a player, give it crazy green spiked hair, now what? Well, you can start your career, play some tournaments in the Tournament, or go online. Your choice. I don't recommend going online first, because all the good players will demolish you.

GRAPHICS 9.8/10

The only good thing about this game, the graphics is the best of any tennis game so far. Everything, from the blue courts of the Australian Open to the clay of Roland Garros, the accuracy of the pro's swings to the complexion of their faces, is amazing. I loved how accurate the professionals were. Even the line judges were good. This is the only next-gen aspect of the game, unfortunately. On HDTV, it looks better than watching real tennis. I can't give it a ten, as a ten is perfect, and nothing is perfect. I'm like that.

SOUND 7.0/10

The game had great sound effects from the “FAULT!” to the “GAME, SET, AND MATCH FEDERER, 6-2, 7-5”. The soundtrack for the game wasn't good at all. I'm sorry, it wasn't. I'm not going to comment much on this, because there really isn't anything to talk about.

PLAYTIME/REPLAYABILITY 8.1/10

You will be pretty busy if you play this game and enjoy it. All the achievements, and all the time playing on World Tour or Career Mode. World Tour will never be the same for two seasons, and there is always new strategies to try out. Even then, create a new player, and put new stats on them.

RENT OR BUY?

Definitely, rent this game. It's too much of an investment. I hope you don't buy it if you haven't completely decided that it is the right decision.

RECAP:
GAMEPLAY- 6.2
GRAPHICS- 9.8
SOUND- 7.0
PLAYTIME- 8.1
TOTAL- 31.1/40 = 7.7 = 8/10

So, in closing, Top Spin 3 is not that bad, based on my scoring. It's an 8/10, which is rated as “Great” on GameFAQs. When you look at it, the graphics are great, but the gameplay has some great things, but some terrible things. Overall, I don't recommend it, because I was disappointed, and I'm sure you will be too.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/18/09

Game Release: Top Spin 3 (US, 06/23/08)