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GAME REVIEWED: Actua Tennis
RELEASED BY: Gremlin
PRICE: £44.99
REVIEWED BY: Kelly
REVIEW: -
The first ever tennis game created was Pong. But with today's technology, Tennis games have improved but it's quite a surprise to see that there's only two or three games available for the Playstation, and this is one of them. Although this game is not too bad in the visual department, when it comes to playability it's a whole different topic. This effort from Gremlin isn't too far off a top ten world ranking though.
This game includes great 3D courts on all the surfaces possible to play tennis on. Advertising boards are placed around the court with the umpire sitting up in the high chair at the side. To stop you from getting bored at breaks between games there is commentary from Barry Davies and Pat Cash. The motion- captured players add to the realism of the game as well as the crowd applauding good shots or just good fortune.
There are a few disappointments within the game. First of all, the players don't seem to run across the court, instead they seem to slide across it, kind of like tennis on ice. Second,the unrealistic timing between hitting the ball and the ball moving. For example, you press the button for your player to strike the ball but you don't see him/her striking the ball until it is on the opponent's side of the court.
When you're actually playing you seem to win more points on your opponent's miss-fortune rather than your skill. Your skill is pretty limited anyway with the range of shots you're offered, such as topspin, backspin, flat-shot and the lob which all do what they suggest. There are minimal opportunities to pull off searing passing shots or running forehand smashes although there is the inclusion of extreme and super shot features.
After you have mastered the basic shots, it may manage to quicken your heart a little but it's a long way off of the adrenaline pumping superb sports games. Though this may not be a great tennis game, it is a least filling a gap for the moment and it is something that Gremlin can work on to create a tremendous tennis game for the Playstation. not an overall disappointment, at least with its many options and game styles it will keep you occupied for a few hours. If you like tennis then buy this game, if you don't like tennis, rent it anyway and if you like it, buy it. Still room for improvement in the tennis simulation style of games though.
SCORE:
74%
LINKS: www.gremlin.com