Grand Slam Tennis 2 Demo Roundtable

Feature Article

Submitted on: 01/31/2012 by Jayson Young, Glenn Wigmore, Phil Varckette, Bishop Tart, Bo McCready

Our writers delve into their impressions on EA Sports' Grand Slam Tennis 2's demo.

Bo McCready: In the demo, the graphics, presentation and sound seem solid, but I'm not sure about the new analog controls. Swinging a baseball bat with a joystick feels intuitive, and although I usually turn off analog swinging in baseball games, I think it works well overall. The analog swings in this game, though, don't feel very precise to me (thankfully, you can switch to using the face buttons instead).

I'm also worried that the CPU's lobs are overpowered and that user overheads are underpowered, making it hard for net players to do well. Although, I might feel differently once I get more comfortable with the controls and can try out some more players to find one that fits my play style. Overall, the demo feels a little clunky, but I'm excited to play the final build and try the new features.

"What you looking at?" -- Is Grand Slam Tennis 2 a Tennis Games Americans will enjoy?

Phil Varckette: I haven't really played a tennis game in years. In fact, I think the last one I played was the original Top Spin. But I'm finding myself pleasantly surprised with this demo. I think it nails the sweet spot between simulation and arcade. For me this is key. I would probably be bored if the game was straight simulation. I know that's what a lot of people want, and I totally understand that. For people like me, however, this seems like it could be a quick pick up and play a match here and there type of game.

If you haven't downloaded the demo yet, give it a shot. If you have even a passing interest in tennis I think you can have some fun with it. I'm not sure if I will be buying day one, but if not, it will be a day one rental. EA has my attention with tennis. Didn't think I would be saying that.

Bishop Tart: After playing some Top Spin 4 when it first released, I didn't think a better tennis game would be released in 2012. Grand Slam Tennis 2 might just prove me wrong.

Gameplay was actually very smooth, and I enjoyed it a tad more than Top Spin 4. That very well could change once the full game releases, though. "Total Racquet Control" takes some getting used too, but after a few sets I was swinging my racquet like a champ. Graphics and overall presentation were quite impressive also, and their use of ESPN was very well done.

I was really impressed with the overall commentary as well. Who knows how the commentary will shape up once the game hits stores -- but when playing a sports game -- I enjoy it when a commentator starts a thought and finishes it. Too many times you'll have a commentator start a thought and a play on the field/court will interrupt what he was saying. So I appreciate what EA has done with Grand Slam Tennis 2 and it's overall commentary.

The analog controls are getting mixed reviews from OS Staff members.

Jayson Young: Grand Slam Tennis is the first series I can think of where I had more fun with Wii version than with the Xbox 360/PS3 edition.

EA's new serving mechanic and right joystick swings feel less natural than Nintendo's Wii motionplus controls. I found it difficult to aim shots precisely where I wanted using the right joystick. Even after switching back to the old-style hitting using the face buttons, I never felt like I had a good connection between my swings and my controller.

The player animations are stiff and unnatural. Both Nadal and Djokovic look robotic while moving around the court and charging up for hits. Nadal in particular moves way too fast and can cover a ridiculous amount of ground.

Grand Slam Tennis 2's demo shows serious signs of control and animation issues; I just don't see EA's game upsetting tennis's video game champion, Top Spin 4.

Glenn Wigmore: Grand Slam Tennis seems to have all the trappings of a successful release, but I'm not totally sold on the gameplay. EA obviously loves analog control in all of its games at this point, and while it works amazingly in NHL and fairly well in Fight Night, I'm not so sure it's the best move here. You can switch to buttons if you like, but either control method requires a very acute degree of timing.

I felt that the window for a shot to be considered "good" was not nearly clear enough, and even when you do connect, it's difficult to be confident that where you're aiming is where the ball will go. I like the fact that there are some physics and ball arc at play, but it's also concerning that Grand Slam Tennis decides to do some of your movement for you, not unlike FIFA when a ball is going in a certain direction. Also, there were several times I thought I'd hit a winner up the line only to see Nadal literally cancel his animation and warp towards the line to stab some absurd backhand across the court — not cool.

The presentation of the game works pretty well, and I like that the product seems packed full of content, but neither of the control setups left me feeling in complete control.

Grand Slam Tennis 2 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 bigdoc85 @ 01/31/12 03:17 PM

I played a bit with the demo but had trouble getting really excited about it. I got a lot of play time from Top Spin 4 but just couldn't get into this. We'll see if the full game changes my opinion but I'll wait until after the release and the reviews are out.

# 2 DGuinta1 @ 01/31/12 03:25 PM

It was OK though the announcing was bad. They players moved pretty good and fluid. Easy to get acclimated to.

# 3 Darkimpact17 @ 01/31/12 03:53 PM

I thought the game played terrible, i'll stick with my topspin.

# 4 gigadkc @ 01/31/12 04:30 PM

I actually enjoyed the demo but I won't buy the game because the roster - like in every other tennis game - is horrible. I'll never ever buy a tennis game until there are at least the top 50 men and women included.

# 5 rangerrick012 @ 01/31/12 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigadkc


	I actually enjoyed the demo but I won't buy the game because the roster - like in every other tennis game - is horrible. I'll never ever buy a tennis game until there are at least the top 50 men and women included.

For what it's worth at least in this one you can download players that others create and use them on your own game. Not sure how many slots there are or if they come fully developed or you have to build them up yourself once you download them though.

# 6 jyoung @ 01/31/12 05:09 PM

Tennis games have it a lot tougher than other sports because they have to individually sign each player to the in-game roster.

It is not like football or hockey where you just purchase the NFLPA or NHLPA rights and automatically can use every player in the PA.

# 7 The Bimmer @ 01/31/12 05:37 PM

The demo plays fine for me. Since the manual reads that we can customize the game settings, more then likely you will be able to adjust the speed of the game if it is to fast.

# 8 gigadkc @ 01/31/12 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	Tennis games have it a lot tougher than other sports because they have to individually sign each player to the in-game roster. It is not like football or hockey where you just purchase the NFLPA or NHLPA rights and automatically can use every player in the PA.

true but as a customer I really don't care about that. I'm sure that other licences like NFL, NHL and especially all the licences in FIFA are way, way, WAY more expensive than the ~20 tennis players they have in this game. Sure, NFL and FIFA sell way more often but I have a hard time to believe they can't make enough profit if they sign more than 20 players.

# 9 jyoung @ 01/31/12 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bimmer


	The demo plays fine for me. Since the manual reads that we can customize the game settings, more then likely you will be able to adjust the speed of the game if it is to fast.

I did like the number of sliders and options you can see in all the demo's menus.

Hopefully they work as advertised, and the game style is very adjustable.

# 10 OhioBobcats @ 01/31/12 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	Tennis games have it a lot tougher than other sports because they have to individually sign each player to the in-game roster. It is not like football or hockey where you just purchase the NFLPA or NHLPA rights and automatically can use every player in the PA.

Like I've said numerous times when this comes up: what exactly is the asking price for Sam Querrey or John Isner to be on a video game? Most of these guys probably want to be in the game just as badly. There is no way they couldn't get top 20-70 players in this game for dirt cheap. If they ask something ridiculous, you just pass on them and get someone else.

At the very least, we should have 32 currently playing men in any tennis game to have at least some sort of tournament.

My only hope now is we have a huge amount of free spaces to create a player. You can create 100s of players in NBA2K12.

# 11 rangerrick012 @ 01/31/12 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioBobcats


	Like I've said numerous times when this comes up: what exactly is the asking price for Sam Querrey or John Isner to be on a video game? Most of these guys probably want to be in the game just as badly. There is no way they couldn't get top 20-70 players in this game for dirt cheap. If they ask something ridiculous, you just pass on them and get someone else. At the very least, we should have 32 currently playing men in any tennis game to have at least some sort of tournament. My only hope now is we have a huge amount of free spaces to create a player. You can create 100s of players in NBA2K12.

I share your gripes, but without knowing details who knows if more players would mean less disk space for things like other venues. Which of course leads to the other concern of why not have players at least available as DLC? That option would probably solve the disk space concern.

But I'm guessing there's some reason why more players aren't available in most games, I'm guessing companies aren't just deciding not to have more than a max of 20 or so. Profit alone can't be the main issue, at least I hope not.

# 12 number1thumbs @ 01/31/12 10:15 PM

how can anyone who has played topspin 4 think this game is any good?..

swing animations are terrible

strategy is nothing like in real life..which is a game killer, imo

looks like it should be an arcade game for 1200 points but i still probably would not pick it up

i have taught the sport for the last 11 years and played for a top 5 D1 school at the time...so i love the sport

# 13 Bryzine21 @ 01/31/12 11:59 PM

I actually liked the demo of this game better than the full version of Top Spin 4. I am sure it does not move at exactly the right speed or the total racquet control won't take getting used to but It is one fun game. The demo graphics are better than TS4 and I think they nailed the sound of the racquet hitting the ball and the varied grunts are nice too. I loved all the little things too such as more aces , and more variables in what the ball might do. I am sick and tired of every time a good game comes out everybody bitches cuz its not exactly like the real sport or one mode of play is not as great as the rest of the game. Lighten up. Have fun with it, and if u want realism go outside.

# 14 eye guy @ 02/01/12 01:43 AM

One of the few EA titles (demos) I actually enjoyed playing... It will probably meet the same fate as MMA and if it does, what a shame. MMA is better than UFC, imo, and still does the rounds in my 360 and this will probably do the same.

# 15 Jishin75 @ 02/01/12 05:27 AM

I think the most important thing to me is how many player you can create and add to the available slots. I also hope the career mode is fine.

# 16 Greene_Flash03 @ 02/01/12 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryzine21


	I actually liked the demo of this game better than the full version of Top Spin 4. I am sure it does not move at exactly the right speed or the total racquet control won't take getting used to but It is one fun game. The demo graphics are better than TS4 and I think they nailed the sound of the racquet hitting the ball and the varied grunts are nice too. I loved all the little things too such as more aces , and more variables in what the ball might do. I am sick and tired of every time a good game comes out everybody bitches cuz its not exactly like the real sport or one mode of play is not as great as the rest of the game. Lighten up. Have fun with it, and if u want realism go outside.

I always hear this argument, but I always say, if a video game company can capture the sport as real as possible, I'd go and play that game. GS2 is a very fun game. But some animations really bothers me.

# 17 rangerrick012 @ 02/01/12 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryzine21


	I actually liked the demo of this game better than the full version of Top Spin 4. I am sure it does not move at exactly the right speed or the total racquet control won't take getting used to but It is one fun game. The demo graphics are better than TS4 and I think they nailed the sound of the racquet hitting the ball and the varied grunts are nice too. I loved all the little things too such as more aces , and more variables in what the ball might do. I am sick and tired of every time a good game comes out everybody bitches cuz its not exactly like the real sport or one mode of play is not as great as the rest of the game. Lighten up. Have fun with it, and if u want realism go outside.

The rest of your post is fine, even though I disagree with you on some things. You lost me here. If people expect certain things out of their gameplay, who are you to say that they are expecting too much?

# 18 SteelerSpartan @ 02/01/12 06:58 PM

Im willing to give this game a chance if

*They Fixed AI Net Hugging/Effectiveness
*A good amount of Working Sliders/Tendencies

We'll see though, this is EA we're talking about

# 19 cashless @ 02/01/12 09:49 PM

I really wanted to like this game, but after having played the demo, I'm having a tough time thinking of one single positive thing to say about it. I guess I can see this game being somewhat enjoyable with motion controls, but as a tennis simulator it comes nowhere close to Top Spin.

# 20 Dubsonic @ 02/01/12 10:14 PM

It will be interesting to see how much content EA has built around the majors. If it's just the 4 slams and 2 or 3 more tourny's then it will be an epic failure for me

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