The /)octo/2
08-10-2006, 04:36
The Graphics Score: 8/10
I liked the overall look and presentation of the game, the character models were impressive and the textures were pretty. Hair sways realistically, the animation is mostly fluid and smooth, the framerate has no reason to feel sluggish, and it generally just feels like a really professional game.
Indeed, im pretty sure this is our first view of Rockstar's Rage engine, which is supposed to be the in-game engine of the up-coming GTAIV. Still, in the end just how attractive can you make a game in which your sole duty is to smack a small white ball over a tiny net on a miniature tennis court. Which brings me to my next point.
The Gameplay Score: 7/10
It's ping-pong.
If you don't like table tennis you are just not going to be able to enjoy this game for an extended period of time. You will find some initial enjoyment by mastering the intuitive control system and it's true that i occasionally found myself hunched over, panting and willdy swinging the analog sticks, completely oblivious to anything other than that small white bouncing ball.
It only grabs your attention like this on higher difficulty levels. I have heard the words "hyper-realistic physics" used to describe the ballplay in RP: Table Tennis. I'm not sure if those are the exact words i would have picked to describe it. Yeah the collision detection is great i guess and the physics aren't bad, but the first time you see your opponent put so much spin on the ball that it curves through space and time at roughly four times the speed of sound to just clip the corner of the table and score him a point, you'll agree throwing around words like hyper-realistic just isn't going to fly, baby.
The Sound Score: 6/10
Thwok? Whack?
It's ping-pong for christ's sake.
I imagine Rockstar were probably pissed off they had to implement full Dolby Digital 5.1 into a tabble tennis game.
Hear pings and pongs from all directions in your room! :lol:
Seriously though, it's adequate. DD5.1 adds some immersion.
The On-Line Play Score: 7/10
Actually i didn't play this on-line before i sold it so i'm not really in a position to comment.
Wait, this is my damn review so yes i am.
I can see no way in which the multiplayer would be any different to the single player, except with real people.
The added excitement of knowing your every move is being studied by a real person probably adds to the tension.
The Verdict Final Score: 6/10
Look, buy it if you truly love table tennis, and even then only if repetitive gameplay doesn't turn you off.
I liked the overall look and presentation of the game, the character models were impressive and the textures were pretty. Hair sways realistically, the animation is mostly fluid and smooth, the framerate has no reason to feel sluggish, and it generally just feels like a really professional game.
Indeed, im pretty sure this is our first view of Rockstar's Rage engine, which is supposed to be the in-game engine of the up-coming GTAIV. Still, in the end just how attractive can you make a game in which your sole duty is to smack a small white ball over a tiny net on a miniature tennis court. Which brings me to my next point.
The Gameplay Score: 7/10
It's ping-pong.
If you don't like table tennis you are just not going to be able to enjoy this game for an extended period of time. You will find some initial enjoyment by mastering the intuitive control system and it's true that i occasionally found myself hunched over, panting and willdy swinging the analog sticks, completely oblivious to anything other than that small white bouncing ball.
It only grabs your attention like this on higher difficulty levels. I have heard the words "hyper-realistic physics" used to describe the ballplay in RP: Table Tennis. I'm not sure if those are the exact words i would have picked to describe it. Yeah the collision detection is great i guess and the physics aren't bad, but the first time you see your opponent put so much spin on the ball that it curves through space and time at roughly four times the speed of sound to just clip the corner of the table and score him a point, you'll agree throwing around words like hyper-realistic just isn't going to fly, baby.
The Sound Score: 6/10
Thwok? Whack?
It's ping-pong for christ's sake.
I imagine Rockstar were probably pissed off they had to implement full Dolby Digital 5.1 into a tabble tennis game.
Hear pings and pongs from all directions in your room! :lol:
Seriously though, it's adequate. DD5.1 adds some immersion.
The On-Line Play Score: 7/10
Actually i didn't play this on-line before i sold it so i'm not really in a position to comment.
Wait, this is my damn review so yes i am.
I can see no way in which the multiplayer would be any different to the single player, except with real people.
The added excitement of knowing your every move is being studied by a real person probably adds to the tension.
The Verdict Final Score: 6/10
Look, buy it if you truly love table tennis, and even then only if repetitive gameplay doesn't turn you off.