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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Sport Developer: Sumo Digital Publisher: SEGA of America |
quickly realize the reason for the déjà vu, because what they are playing is very similar, if not an almost exact copy, of what they were
playing with “Virtua Tennis 2” and “Virtua Tennis 1.” In other words, players should not be expecting “Virtua Tennis 3” to shake the
foundations or athletic innovation on the next generation consoles.
Like most of the successful sports franchises “Virtua Tennis 3” has a very solid foundation to build upon. The arcade inspired game
play makes getting involved in a single match of tennis is as easy as pressing the start button and the three button setup has a
surprising amount of flexibility, allowing almost anyone to play “Virtua Tennis 3.” Simple hits such as lobs, slices and top spins can be
modified into smashes, drops and running shots that are based off of the player position and the amount of time that a specific button
is held. With that and then factor in variable player statistics and multiple surface types, players get a lot of good games of tennis in with
this game.
Honestly, playing a battle of the lobs with a good friend can be a lot of fun, even if it does feel a little too familiar. Whether players are
smashing back and forth in a singles match or teaming up with three others for a doubles competition, there is a real amount of
entertainment value in “Virtua Tennis 3.” Actually, some matches can get extremely intense at times. When two or more experienced
players are battling it out on the court, it isn’t completely uncommon to see a volley of thirty stokes or more that involve every possible
racket motion known to the game of tennis. Anyone who is a fan of tennis should feel right at home with this game.
The new and improved World Tour Mode is a nice little distraction for many players. It is definitely a good thing since it is likely the part
of the game that most players of the game will spend the majority of their time with. One large advantage to the World Tour Mode is that
it is a lot deeper than the career mode that was available in “Virtua Tennis 2.” This time around the game offers a Sims-like stamina
meter, extra mini games, various practice challenges, and a formal Tennis Academy that will help players to fine tune their attributes
and skills on the court. With this entire package put together makes for a game worthy of a few years of net play and plenty of
opportunity to mold the specific kind of tennis player that gamers want to be in the game.
Though it may sound a little odd, creating a character in the game is actually one of the most entertaining elements that “Virtua Fighter
3” brings to the table. It is quite sad that character customization is one of the best elements of a game. Though the facial modification
and accessory options in the game are limited, enhancing their skills via the Tennis Academy with timed shot challenges, and the mini
games are very addictive. Finding any excuse to avoid playing with boulder sized tennis balls while capturing fruit to improve character
footwork or blowing up robots that shoot orbs in order to better the character’s stroke is a smart and strange way to pass the time.
Being able to have an influence on what type of tendencies player’s tennis alter ego has, as a fast runner, big server, accurate hitter, or
any other specialty is a nice touch to the game as well.
Visually the game isn’t anything bad either. The animations are much more fluid than they had been in previous versions of the game,
but that is to be expected. No one would buy a game now that looks like it should be run on an Atari. The 1080p support in the game
means that players are able to show off their new expensive plasma widescreen television. Sadly, these amazing graphics are really
only seen when the camera is looking at the action in a top down format. Once the between set reaction cut scenes play, the same
animations over and over again grow to be very old after only a few matches, and the wrinkled old faces of the players make many of the
players look like they should be cheering on their grandchildren at their high school tennis matches, they don’t look anything like people
really, an nothing like athletic people. Conversation scenes don’t look that great either.
Though the engine used with this game is the same engine that the developers have been using for quite some time now, it still works
to create a game that is great for wasting a little time. There are few refinements to the game overall, but the game’s user friendly
mechanics and the fast paced arcade style action of the game can’t be ignored. There is no doubt that “Virtua Tennis 3” is probably the
strongest tennis game available to date. Sadly, there isn’t much competition for it, meaning that there is no need to push the envelope,
and “Virtua Tennis 3” doesn’t even try. This is a game for those who are fans of the franchise; however, it isn’t the best game for first
timers. Maybe a different sport would be better, like bowling.
playing with “Virtua Tennis 2” and “Virtua Tennis 1.” In other words, players should not be expecting “Virtua Tennis 3” to shake the
foundations or athletic innovation on the next generation consoles.
Like most of the successful sports franchises “Virtua Tennis 3” has a very solid foundation to build upon. The arcade inspired game
play makes getting involved in a single match of tennis is as easy as pressing the start button and the three button setup has a
surprising amount of flexibility, allowing almost anyone to play “Virtua Tennis 3.” Simple hits such as lobs, slices and top spins can be
modified into smashes, drops and running shots that are based off of the player position and the amount of time that a specific button
is held. With that and then factor in variable player statistics and multiple surface types, players get a lot of good games of tennis in with
this game.
Honestly, playing a battle of the lobs with a good friend can be a lot of fun, even if it does feel a little too familiar. Whether players are
smashing back and forth in a singles match or teaming up with three others for a doubles competition, there is a real amount of
entertainment value in “Virtua Tennis 3.” Actually, some matches can get extremely intense at times. When two or more experienced
players are battling it out on the court, it isn’t completely uncommon to see a volley of thirty stokes or more that involve every possible
racket motion known to the game of tennis. Anyone who is a fan of tennis should feel right at home with this game.
The new and improved World Tour Mode is a nice little distraction for many players. It is definitely a good thing since it is likely the part
of the game that most players of the game will spend the majority of their time with. One large advantage to the World Tour Mode is that
it is a lot deeper than the career mode that was available in “Virtua Tennis 2.” This time around the game offers a Sims-like stamina
meter, extra mini games, various practice challenges, and a formal Tennis Academy that will help players to fine tune their attributes
and skills on the court. With this entire package put together makes for a game worthy of a few years of net play and plenty of
opportunity to mold the specific kind of tennis player that gamers want to be in the game.
Though it may sound a little odd, creating a character in the game is actually one of the most entertaining elements that “Virtua Fighter
3” brings to the table. It is quite sad that character customization is one of the best elements of a game. Though the facial modification
and accessory options in the game are limited, enhancing their skills via the Tennis Academy with timed shot challenges, and the mini
games are very addictive. Finding any excuse to avoid playing with boulder sized tennis balls while capturing fruit to improve character
footwork or blowing up robots that shoot orbs in order to better the character’s stroke is a smart and strange way to pass the time.
Being able to have an influence on what type of tendencies player’s tennis alter ego has, as a fast runner, big server, accurate hitter, or
any other specialty is a nice touch to the game as well.
Visually the game isn’t anything bad either. The animations are much more fluid than they had been in previous versions of the game,
but that is to be expected. No one would buy a game now that looks like it should be run on an Atari. The 1080p support in the game
means that players are able to show off their new expensive plasma widescreen television. Sadly, these amazing graphics are really
only seen when the camera is looking at the action in a top down format. Once the between set reaction cut scenes play, the same
animations over and over again grow to be very old after only a few matches, and the wrinkled old faces of the players make many of the
players look like they should be cheering on their grandchildren at their high school tennis matches, they don’t look anything like people
really, an nothing like athletic people. Conversation scenes don’t look that great either.
Though the engine used with this game is the same engine that the developers have been using for quite some time now, it still works
to create a game that is great for wasting a little time. There are few refinements to the game overall, but the game’s user friendly
mechanics and the fast paced arcade style action of the game can’t be ignored. There is no doubt that “Virtua Tennis 3” is probably the
strongest tennis game available to date. Sadly, there isn’t much competition for it, meaning that there is no need to push the envelope,
and “Virtua Tennis 3” doesn’t even try. This is a game for those who are fans of the franchise; however, it isn’t the best game for first
timers. Maybe a different sport would be better, like bowling.
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