Please play a few games and post your impressions here.
*UPDATE: PS3 demo is available now.
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"Feel the excitement and energy of the US Open as you play in a tie break match to 7 points using some of the world’s top pros complete with 2K's Signature Style. Featuring new TV broadcast style presentation & innovative controls that allow gamers of any skill level to dominate the court, Top Spin 4 puts you front and center of the professional tennis experience."
I'm loving this game, so much that I just preordered on Amazon. For those unaware, the preorder now comes with free release date shipping and a $20 credit to your account.
One thing about aces - I understand people being frustrated by not seeing them, but at the same time you have to realize that aces aren't really that prevalent and that it's far often the unreturnable serve or short ball for an easy winner than just a clean ace. Outside of the guys like Roddick, Isner, Karlovic, the best servers on the ATP tour usually average only 10 aces a match at most. Federer only averages about 6 aces a match, Nadal only about 4, Djokovic only about 7.
Again,not saying that lack of aces isn't a potential problem, just that I'd much rather have it like that then every serve being like Roddicks. And in the demo it's still possible to get the big serve in using the right stick serving, even if its not for aces.
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Originally Posted by Randiesel75
I'm loving this game, so much that I just preordered on Amazon. For those unaware, the preorder now comes with free release date shipping and a $20 credit to your account.
Was going to post this yesterday, wasn't sure where to put it. But yeah thanks for sharing, $20 credit is definitely a great deal, I'll probably use it for TW 12.
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Originally Posted by Rules
Would of liked to see a difference with how the ball reacts on the two different surfaces. Clay should have less bounce and slower movement. Didn't notice any difference but the demo is still good.
Actually the ball usually bounces higher on clay IRL. One of the reasons why Nadal is so dominant on it, the top spin he produces is pretty much unmatched and makes it difficult for his opponents.
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Originally Posted by at23steelers
Federer keeps popping it up to Nadal, because I am hitting strong shots, but what are the controls to do an overhead? All he does is a weak forehand or a weak volley.
You use RB to get into the net. Usually when you play a good shot that forces your opponent off the court, come in to anticipate the weak return and put away the easy volley.
Why do you think they use the term "unforced" to distinguish types of errors?
Let's say you blast a forehand down the line which your opponent is forced to stretch for and returns over the baseline. This by definition is a "forced" error because you asked your opponent to hit a difficult shot, which they were unable to do. But it wasn't a clean winner either...
I figured this much, but I couldn't tell for sure when I thought a few shots from myself and my opponent were unforced errors. I haven't seen them counted in the stats so had to check. Thanks.
I'm loving this game, so much that I just preordered on Amazon. For those unaware, the preorder now comes with free release date shipping and a $20 credit to your account.
I believe the following has already been mentioned before, but looks to be buried somewhere in the forum. For anyone interested, preorder Top Spin 4 at gamestop, and receive a vintage Agassi sporting long hair. It's an exclusive gamestop preorder special.
I'm uncertain as to how I want to approach this:
(A) Gamestop: $59.99 + California tax = $65.00 PLUS vintage Agassi exclusive playable character.
(B) Amazon: $59.99 + 0 tax = $59.99 PLUS $20 dollar promotional credit.
**Through amazon, I would ultimately be "saving" $25 dollars; in other words, is vintage Agassi worth $25 dollars? I'll probably decide the day prior.**
Just had some good TV time with the demo. Some impressions in no particular order:
- Player models.... WOW!!! Clearly the standout for me. You could be excused for thinking they were actual photos, or game play footage of these guys. 2K has done an amazing job to get the models looking so lifelike. Even to the point where Rafa & Fed's hair moves when they shake their head around (unlike the superglue Lincecum mullet on The Show demo!) Also, has anyone else noticed that one of the security guards behind the players in the tunnel SNEEZES?? He hunches over and covers his mouth. What on earth made them put that in? But I love it. Little quirks like that add realism. I just hope it doesn't happen every time!
- Serving might need a bit of tweaking. The ball just leisurely flies over the net with no real speed or authority. I know a previous post said that not everyone serves like Roddick or Karlovic, but this is slower than WTA (with all due respect ladies). The ball moves faster across my TV in a real match, so I'm hoping it can be patched or something to allow a more dynamic and faster service speed.
- Other users have also complained about the lack of opponent unforced errors. I've only seen the one so far (Rafa put a ball wide during a rally). Again, it would probably be nice to see a few more of these creep in (particularly at the end of long matches as players tire - and more so for those with a lower stamina rating). I wonder if this has been factored into the final build? We'll just have to wait and see.
- Presentation was immaculate. Despite the lack of commentary, the scoreboard, overlays and cut scenes are tremendous. THey've even nailed Rafa's fist pump celebration. He brought it out after saving a set point against me (not sure whether they time the big celebrations for critical points or not, but it was a nice touch).
When all is said and done, this game has gone from a "maybe buy" to a "probably buy". I'll give it a week or so after release, see what the opinions say and see whether 2K has a patch for any of the (minor) things that have been brought up in this thread.
One thing about aces - I understand people being frustrated by not seeing them, but at the same time you have to realize that aces aren't really that prevalent and that it's far often the unreturnable serve or short ball for an easy winner than just a clean ace. Outside of the guys like Roddick, Isner, Karlovic, the best servers on the ATP tour usually average only 10 aces a match at most. Federer only averages about 6 aces a match, Nadal only about 4, Djokovic only about 7.
Great point. Hopefully over the course of a 3-5 set match we will see a bit more in the final release and for those players with the bigger serves. I have seen many times where a decent serve will get the opponent off balance with a weak return, so that is realistic in the sense it allows the server the opportunity to dictate the point from the start. Practice may help as well as it is hard to get a rhythm playing a tiebreak.
I have yet to see an unforced error in the statistics. Either they aren't being collected properly or I don't know what an unforced error is. Is it possible to not have a winner and not have an unforced error on the same point?
Yes, you can have a forced error which is not tracked.
- Serving might need a bit of tweaking. The ball just leisurely flies over the net with no real speed or authority. I know a previous post said that not everyone serves like Roddick or Karlovic, but this is slower than WTA (with all due respect ladies). The ball moves faster across my TV in a real match, so I'm hoping it can be patched or something to allow a more dynamic and faster service speed.
Right stick serving seems to be the way to go if you want to hit big serves.
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Originally Posted by papernut
Great point. Hopefully over the course of a 3-5 set match we will see a bit more in the final release and for those players with the bigger serves. I have seen many times where a decent serve will get the opponent off balance with a weak return, so that is realistic in the sense it allows the server the opportunity to dictate the point from the start. Practice may help as well as it is hard to get a rhythm playing a tiebreak.
Agreed. Hopefully more aces are in the retail build, but in a 7 point tiebreak it's hard to expect 3-4 aces a match. And Rafa and Roger are both lowly rated serves compared to Sampras and Roddick, so those guys may hit more aces.
Nadal with one wristband, Federer with two? Nadal with his 2009 haircut? Come on 2K, those are minor but important details. How many people would like it if you put a headband on Kobe and took Lebron's off in NBA 2K11?
I am having fun with the demo. It took me a while to get the hang of it. I didn't know if I had to press and hold the button or just press once, button serving vs stick serving, etc. I wish they would have given a more detailed control explanation or maybe opened up the practice area for the demo like other sports games have done. All in all it seems like a good game to me and will buy it for sure.
I'm loving this game, so much that I just preordered on Amazon. For those unaware, the preorder now comes with free release date shipping and a $20 credit to your account.
Damn you all, everyone is trying to get me divorced.
I have found I can at least get 1 or 2 aces a game in the demo from using the right stick serving. I have yet to get one from the buttons. To me it seems like the button serving is the safer choice if you don't want to fault but right stick serving will lead to aces. It is really up to the player to choose what they want to do and decide if the risk is worth it.
Yep, I played on Hard. Very difficult to get anything past Nadal.
Some more practice and I finally beat Nadal 7-4 on Hard. I was getting creamed before. Even after that I played again and lost 7-4, but at least I was in the game. Prior to today I could barely score a point on Hard.
Still not having success on serves. I need a manual or a training because I've forgotten how to use the right stick effectively.
I also saw Nadal have one unforced error finally. Had one myself in the same match. Nice to see.
I have found I can at least get 1 or 2 aces a game in the demo from using the right stick serving. I have yet to get one from the buttons. To me it seems like the button serving is the safer choice if you don't want to fault but right stick serving will lead to aces. It is really up to the player to choose what they want to do and decide if the risk is worth it.
How are you doing this? I'm having no luck in stick serves.