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"Top Spin 3" takes time, but it's worth it
posted by JMichaud (BETHESDA, MD) Jun 30, 2008
Member since Jan 2008
11 out of 13 gamers (85%) found this review helpful
You can play as the most known tennis players on the most known courts in Top Spin 3, but it's the game's mechanics that win me over.
True, it's very hard for beginners to get into the game.
First, you hold the Wiimote in a very strange way - sideways with your thumb on the side of the Wiimote and your index finger on the B button. It takes a while to get used to holding the Wiimote this way.
Another hindrance is this game requires the player to anticipate where the tennis ball is going in order to successfully return it. Some players will either be out of position or swing the Wiimote too late, and the ball zips past them.
Finally, there's the use of the Nunchuck to send the ball to certain areas of your opponent's half of the court (baseline, near the net, to either side.) But the Nunchuck is also used to move the player about, causing confusion.
So, new players will have to spend some practice time, maybe significant practice time, to get used to the controls. It's best if you play against another person rather than the AI until you get used to the controls. It would've been better if the game had an option for players to practice each aspect of the controls (the serve, the forehand, the backhand, movement, the lob shot, the short shot, the placement of the shot), but it doesn't.
The payoff of all this time put into the game is that you're in complete control; you can place the ball almost anywhere you want to. You're using skill rather than luck to win matches.
And that's what makes Top Spin 3 fun for me; I feel like I'm actually playing tennis rather then "wave the Wiimote and pray."
True, it's very hard for beginners to get into the game.
First, you hold the Wiimote in a very strange way - sideways with your thumb on the side of the Wiimote and your index finger on the B button. It takes a while to get used to holding the Wiimote this way.
Another hindrance is this game requires the player to anticipate where the tennis ball is going in order to successfully return it. Some players will either be out of position or swing the Wiimote too late, and the ball zips past them.
Finally, there's the use of the Nunchuck to send the ball to certain areas of your opponent's half of the court (baseline, near the net, to either side.) But the Nunchuck is also used to move the player about, causing confusion.
So, new players will have to spend some practice time, maybe significant practice time, to get used to the controls. It's best if you play against another person rather than the AI until you get used to the controls. It would've been better if the game had an option for players to practice each aspect of the controls (the serve, the forehand, the backhand, movement, the lob shot, the short shot, the placement of the shot), but it doesn't.
The payoff of all this time put into the game is that you're in complete control; you can place the ball almost anywhere you want to. You're using skill rather than luck to win matches.
And that's what makes Top Spin 3 fun for me; I feel like I'm actually playing tennis rather then "wave the Wiimote and pray."
A gutted, and shallow version, but fun
posted by RichScarry (MISSOULA, MT) Oct 20, 2008
Member since Nov 2006
I've enjoyed Top Spin, and owned all three. My favorite part of the games was making your own character, train your own skills, and earn your way up to the top. Top Spin 3 Wii has NONE of that! However, for pick up and play it provides a fun experience if only for a little while
The controls on the game were a little mixed. The method of handling the Wii mote, and using nunchuck to aim and run, worked well. The swing and twisting for the spins is a little tricky, but works when you get it. Although, like many motion dependent Wii games, there are moments of "I didn't do that" but once you get the hang of it, it's the best Tennis game on Wii.
Graphics are basically PS2, not entirely ugly, but still last gen. The courts do look good, models are decent, and it runs at a solid rate to it's credit. Perhaps they were more worried about the control scheme, regardless of Wii's limitation on visual power.
The modes are so disappointing. Career mode replaced with party mode?! This may be a casualty of the Wii's user base, but it completely kills replay value. It was a deal breaker for me when it came to buying it. The only progression that you can play is a achievement mode where you pick a famous tennis player and play through variously themed tourneys. Half of them require doubles, and I personally never liked playing doubles on the game. And there is almost no reward beyond unlocking the next level.
A shallow game that will give you about 2 hours of fun. Rent only, never buy. The controls work, maybe Top Spin 4 will fix all these downfalls.
The controls on the game were a little mixed. The method of handling the Wii mote, and using nunchuck to aim and run, worked well. The swing and twisting for the spins is a little tricky, but works when you get it. Although, like many motion dependent Wii games, there are moments of "I didn't do that" but once you get the hang of it, it's the best Tennis game on Wii.
Graphics are basically PS2, not entirely ugly, but still last gen. The courts do look good, models are decent, and it runs at a solid rate to it's credit. Perhaps they were more worried about the control scheme, regardless of Wii's limitation on visual power.
The modes are so disappointing. Career mode replaced with party mode?! This may be a casualty of the Wii's user base, but it completely kills replay value. It was a deal breaker for me when it came to buying it. The only progression that you can play is a achievement mode where you pick a famous tennis player and play through variously themed tourneys. Half of them require doubles, and I personally never liked playing doubles on the game. And there is almost no reward beyond unlocking the next level.
A shallow game that will give you about 2 hours of fun. Rent only, never buy. The controls work, maybe Top Spin 4 will fix all these downfalls.
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