What was immediately noticeable to players about the last Top Spin title, Top Spin 3, was its steep learning curve. From the controls to the game modes, Top Spin 3 was very much geared towards serious tennis fans. While the gameplay was richer than the more casual-friendly Virtual Tennis games, it also alienated players new to the series. Top Spin 4 attempts to refine the player controls, while still offering gameplay elements that make mastering the system worthwhile for fans of the series. In aiming to make a more player-friendly game, 2K Czech has found a good middle ground between complexity and over-simplification. Top Spin 4 still strives to be the most technical tennis game around. And while the game offers many of the rich mechanics from Top Spin 3, it offers simplified controls and help options for newcomers to the franchise.
The most notable departure in Top Spin 4 is the simplification of shots and the removal of the risk/power-shot modifier. Top Spin 3 players were required to hold and release their shots through a "charge" system that many sports games, like baseball and golf, utilize. In addition to this, players could modify their shot with "Risk Shots" to add more power or get the ball closer to the line. These shots added a layer of depth and strategy to the game, but the timing and specifics of each shot also made the system very unforgiving. Top Spin 4 still retains much of this depth. A shot's qualities however, such as its power and accuracy, are determined solely through the player's accuracy, timing, and position when releasing the face button. Players can still choose which shot to take, be it a lob or slice, by pressing the respective shot's face button. the shot's properties are influenced by the in-game physics as well as how effectively a player "charges" and times the button press, eliminating the need for the risk/power modifier that made Top Spin 3 so challenging to master.
In line with 2K's aim to make the game more accessible, Top Spin 4 also features a help system that gives players feedback on how effectively they play. The most basic form of feedback is the timing help, which tells players how soon, late or spot-on the timing of their shots are. The charge gauge is another form of help, which tells players when a shot has been charged to maximum power. There are several other forms of help, all of which can be turned on or off as desired.
2K has reworked player animations to reflect their own personal style, giving the 25 licensed players a life and personality of their own and enriching the gameplay experience overall. Aside from the over 4000 "Signature Style" animations, Top Spin 4's more notable additions include re-worked crowd dynamics and audio effects, new pre-match "tunnel shot" animations for players, and a more dynamic broadcast-style camera.
Top Spin 4 offers a more streamlined approach to the longstanding tennis franchise. The game is relatively easy to pick up and play, yet the system presents plenty of nuances for newcomers to the series as well as long-time Top Spin fans to master. Of course, without serious competitive play and a more in-depth look at the game modes and leveling system, the verdict is still out on whether or not the changes made for Top Spin 4 ultimately improve or weaken the game.
Top Spin 4 is scheduled for release on March 15th, 2011 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii.
Post contributed by Gabriel Zamora. Questions for the author? Send an email to game_examiner@live.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Dracozombie.