Rockstar Presents: Table Tennis

[The /)octo/2]

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!
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.

[Knuckles126]

Yeah it was cool for a bit...

[night52]

well I wasnt expecting anything, so at least it has solid gameplay and not much else...also how is the online play?

[janenba352]

I played this game with my friend at circuit city for 3 hours (then we were kicked out lol). This game is like the only reason I would have to buy a 360. Hopefully the PS3 gets a version of this lol.

[Aleman]

I played the demo and didn't like it. I'd rather play Virtua Tennis.

[WhatRuOn]

I got $40 worth of enjoyment out of it, then I sold it. Wasn't a bad game, just didn't have the replay value I was looking for.

[PsychoMantis]

I wonder if the players get graphiclly next gen HD carpo tunnel syndrome

[night52]

I rented it, played one match and went through the tutorials, and sent it back....its not a bad game but not what I was looking.

[Fiskis]

I played this game in EB games for about 30 min. I got sick of it quickly. I wouldn't suggest this game as a "buyer" but more as a "renter". I thought the graphics and physics were good though.

[The /)octo/2]

It has essentially zero replay value, like NONE.

After you've played the game three or fours times, defeated a few opponents and been defeated a few times, you've played the whole game.

You could download the demo, and essentially have the entire game.

[msdstc]

An employee at gamestop convinced me to buy this game telling me I would love it, I liked it for maybe 10 minutes when I played online, the single player get's old directly after you get it, as someone said earlier the demo is essentially the whole game... and I don't care what anyone says this game has rubber AI, it's really annoying,.

[Behemoko]

Sorry, Im just increasing my post count so I can create a topic

That is the single dumbest thing I've ever read.

You are the reason we have this rule.

What is your noob question that I guarantee somebody has already answered 100 other times in 100 other threads before?

[lions67]

how is this game on the wii though? you would think the wii controls would make it a natural choice.

[stik]

maybe but its not a bad game. But it gets so boring after awhile

[UkHardcore]

Amazing game, great buzz when you are getting 150 shot rallies online!!