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I am an avid top spin player...from the 1st one to part 4. I love the technical difficulty level and can appreciate every aspect of the game. That being said, I wanted to give an honest review of GST2. While it is very arcade like and has some major issues, it is REALLY fun to play. Sometimes I just want to pick up a game and play to win and have fun...and this game delivers. If you are trying to decide which tennis game to get, get top spin4 if you want to spend hours and hours of practice just to get to an average level. If you just like tennis and want something for a few hours of entertainment get GST2.
Also...the ball does go out in this game despite some reviewers.
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The sequel to Grand Slam Tennis has finally arrived after EA postponed it's efforts to release it on the PS3 and Xbox 360 following it's June 2009 Wii release. As a whole, the game is solid but with some flaws. The original version on the Wii was a cartoony version with a big ball, etc. Fun & best they could do on the Wii. This one takes full advantage of the graphical power of the PS3 but fails in other areas. Nonetheless, if you're a tennis fan -the game's worth your while as it's fun to play.
Presentation: As usual, EA delivers on presentation. Most importantly, this is the only tennis game with the Wimbledon license and that's important since Wimbledon is considered the Super Bowl of Tennis. As with most EA games, menus are slick and easy to navigate. Lots of ESPN branding also, which is good or bad -depending on your love/hate for ESPN. On the downside, the lifeless commentary from Mac & Cash gets very repetitive (as with most sports games but worse). On the plus side, it can be turned off once you get tired of it. Camera angles can't be changed & replays can't be automatically skipped (you can do so by pressing a button each time they pop up).
Roster: Arguably the best among all tennis games with the understanding that unlike NFL/NBA/MLB, there's no Players' Association, therefore you never get a full roster. Nonetheless, most player likeness' are spot on -Current stars: Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Murray, Tsonga, Roddick, Sharapova, Williams' sisters, Ivanovic & others. Legends: Coverboy Johnny Mac, rival Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova & more. Overall, the men's roster is way better than the women's. Most stars look great, especially Williams' sisters but some are a little off, particularly Chris Evert.
Gameplay: Solid -Somewhere between Top Spin 4 and Virtua Tennis 4. Lots of game modes including an easy career mode (10 seasons), online & ESPN Classic Matches, which are lots of fun! Create mode features Gameface, where you can download your own face from EA servers. The PS3 version also features PS Move compatability (Xbox does not feature Kinect). This is where I belive the PS3 version is slightly better than the Xbox 360's. Move works very well -particularly if you're a real life tennis player & know how to control the racquet well. As for the Dualshock, you can play the game with EA's total racquet control (rewarding once mastered). Like other EA games, no buttons just thumb sticks. The good news is you have a choice to play it with the buttons or a combo of both (which is my preference). I particularly enjoy serving as it requires good timing on your toss/hit as in real life. A bit unrealistic in the fact that's it's net play dominant.
Graphics: The game shines in this department. People will walk in while you're playing and think you're watching a real tennis match. Most player models (read above) are spot on, good animation and beautifully designed courts/stadiums. Best ever on a tennis game IMO. However, celebrations and such are a bit weak as the game, as a whole, lacks emotion.
Overall: 7/10 (3.5 round up to 4 stars). Good but overemphasis on net play. The game offers lots of modes and choices on how to play it. It features a deep roster with nice graphics. After having owned all 3 tennis games (TS4/VT4) at one time -for my money -I'd choose Grand Slam Tennis 2 slightly over it's closest competitor, Top Spin 4 -because Move controls work better, the Wimbledon license & I simply had more fun with it (probably due to replaying the ESPN Classic Matches -ie. Borg vs. McEnroe, '80 Wimbledon Final).
**UPDATE** After 3+ weeks with the game, the inability to contruct a point due to the overemphasis on net play really takes away from the game. Everyone rushes the net soon enough so it becomes a game of who can get there first. EA needs to patch this!
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I don't usually purchase video games at full price, but after trying out the GST2 demo, I was hooked and needed to get it right away from a big box retail store instead of waiting for the usual online purchase/delivery.
You want a more realistic tennis simulator? You're probably better off with Top Spin 4. You want silly mini games? Virtual Tennis is for you. GST2 sits comfortably somewhere in between, which suits me just perfectly fine. If you just want a no holds barred and fun motion gaming experience for the PS3 move with best in class HD graphics, this game is also for you.
EA only focused on providing motion controls for this game GST2, not for Kinect and not for the Wii (first GST version came out a few years ago only on Wii). The focus on motion gaming on one console this generation really shows. I surmise that this game hasn't been as popular as Virtual tennis & Top Spin only because this game came out a WHOLE YEAR after Virtual tennis & Top Spin.
No denying, there is a bit of a learning curve with the Move & Navigation controller usage. Isn't that part of the fun? The challenge to get better at something? Just keep in mind for power shots, you have to keep the Move controller back before you swing. It'll start vibrating a lot and let you know that you're setting up for a power shot. I really appreciate this feature. And for serves, it's really fun serving with power once you get your timing right.
If your opponent is constantly rushing the net, practice your lobs to keep them honest. If they're playing baseline, a tear drop shot would work. Firing cross court shots or along the side line is really possible. If you're on the fence about this game, it might help to read the original Wii Grand Slam Tennis game reviews. It sure helped me and my decision. Many note that it's challenging but once everything "clicks" with the motion controller, it's all fun from there. I now concur with that assessment.
Other things I love about this game: The classic modes that were re-created are so fun. Plus, you can download other recognizable players that weren't included in the original roster for free by downloading other user created players, like Agassi, Lendl, Chang, Hingis, etc. My next move is to scan my own photo to create my player. How fun is that, to create your own player avatar with your own mug on it?
Granted, you will hardly experience situations where you or the computer opponent will be hitting it outside of the lines and into the net. And yes, it's not really accurate because in real life tennis, we all know that hitting into the net and out of bounds is a huge part of the experience. But you know what? That level of frustration, I can do less of in a video game!
It's more of an arcade style game, so the emphasis is on fun & fast game play. With the immersive motion controls, I really feel empowered like a world class tennis player because I really can determine which part of the court to hit the ball and with how much top spin, power, etc. The Move is the only way to play this game IMO once you train, practice, and get your timing down. And most importantly, I'm having a lot of fun doing so.
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I bought EA Grand Slam Tennis 2 to play with the PlayStation's Move Controller, and I'm happy to report this is finally a tennis sports game that gets the use of the Move Controller right. We like motion gaming, active and as realistic as possible, and we're really enjoying playing this game. We stand in the living room, waving our glowing Move controllers and jumping about, having a great time.
in EA's Grand Slam tennis 2, you use the PS3 Move Controller very much as you would a real tennis racket. How you swing the Move Controller determines the direction of your shot, the spin on the ball (flat, topspin, slice), and the power of the shot. Swing low to high, get a topspin; High to low, get a slice. Angle your body (and thus the swing) to the left, get a cross-court shot. Prepare the backswing early, get more power. The direction of your serve is likewise based on how you swing the Move controller. It is reminiscent of the paddle control in Sports Champions' Table Tennis play, but on a grander scale. (Lobs and drop shots use the Move and T buttons on the Move controller, with direction and spin still set by the swing of the Move controller.)
We also use the Navigation Controller for controlling the location of our player avatars movement on the court. I haven't had a reason to use that in a very long time (Heavy Rain, I think); there aren't many games that support it. If you don't have a Navigation Controller, you can still use the joystick on the traditional PlayStation Dual Shock controller, or you can let the game handle the movement of your avatar. Left, right, playing the angles, taking the net, are all more interesting by controlling the player directly.
We have previously purchased Topspin 4 and Virtua Tennis 4. Whatever those games merits, their support for the Move Controller were extremely disappointing (absolutely worthless Move support, mere add-on gimmickry rather than real gameplay.) As someone who really enjoys motion gaming (Sports Champions is still one of our favorite games), I am really happy that finally there was a PS3 tennis game we could really enjoy.
We have previously been playing the Wii's original EA Grand Slam Tennis. For those familiar with that, this is a huge upgrade in graphics, yet the actual motion gameplay is very similar, and so, it was easy for us to pick up. Unlike the Wii remote motion controller, the PlayStation Move controller doesn't need to be "recalibrated" every few points, and you don't have to suffer the annoyance of the cord running between the motion controller and the Nunchuck.
In addition to the gameplay, you can organize matches in several ways: play singles or doubles against an opponent in your own living room. Play against an opponent on the Internet (EA Sports Pass required, code included with the game). You can also play against the AI in singles or doubles, or in a "party" mode that includes various unorthodox match styles such as Australian doubles (3some), lob and volley contests, etc.
For solo play, there is also "career mode" where you can invent your own player avatar and guide him (or her) through ten years of tournament play, slowly improving their abilities (speed, power, accuracy, net play, endurance) in the hopes of winning the Grand Slam. (In this mode, the game will "help" your play a little according to what abilities you've earned.)
For those interested in the visuals, Grand Slam Tennis 2 has two dozen current and past champion players (who play with the tennis style of those players), or you can design your own player avatar if you prefer. The venues include all four Grand Slam tennis events (Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US Open) as well as for new tournament locations in Dubai, Geneva, Shanghai, and Brighton.
Pat Cash and John McEnroe provide the audio commentary for matches. After a few dozen hours, once you've memorized all the chatter, you can turn the volume down.
For me, it's all about the Motion Controller Gameplay, waving my arms around and cursing my footwork; and I really enjoy this game. We've played Sports Champions as well as the Wii version of Grand Slam Tennis for years, and I expect to go on enjoying this new version for the PS3 Move many more years.
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Pros: Nice shot options, pretty easy to learn, realistic representation of tennis
Cons: Not enough pro players, playing vs. cpu is unrealistic, graphics are so-so, not too many options, few tournaments not a realistic ITA season
Well playing in rookie and ameteur mode is just lame. You dish out bagels no matter who you play. But if you go to pro, it is almost impossible to win. You break the opposing player (sometimes it seems way too easy) and then he/she breaks right back. Or if you are up a break or 2 the cpu decides it will suddenly make you make errors, and play amazing error free offense. Also, the 1st serv return business is unreal. You can blast a 125 mph serve and the cpu returns it for a winner; unreal. Also, aces only occur on meaningless plays or if you are down 0:40 or 15:40 to the cpu on the PRO level. I have not tried the most difficult level yet, I can imagine it is impossible to win a point.
Therefore, this game is somewhat fun, but the cpu play is horrible. I have not tried online play yet, I hope it is a bit better and more realistic. This game was made with good intentions, but it is incomplete (lacks players) and it seems it was made too rashly (slapped up to make quick money)......This is not uncommon for EA sports games.
Finally, it is pretty lame that baseline players all of a sudden serve and volley when they are down, and then become unbeatable. Also, why does Djokovic have a one handed backhand, and why does Rafa serve and volley. Ultimately, in this game serve and volley is the most effective way to win points which gets boring quickly. If you play baseline, yeah you can win, but if the opposing player approaches the net he will either pound the ball for a winner, or make you run around, try to lob him to win a point, or wait for him to make a calculated error. This aspect of the game is very lame......EA, at least give the players their right shots :)
BTW, to prove my point on calculated errors part........if you are the first to serve in the match, and your first serve is perfect...............every time it will be a fault. I mean I understand it is a first serve, but even a weak yet perfect serve goes out. WHY?
