Despite the lengthy name and the registration of the novelty, which will henceforth lead us to assume as Tiebreak, the studio behind this new sports venture that embraces men’s and women’s tennis from the world circuits, is not inexperienced in these sports realms. From the Big Ant Studios, based in Melbourne, games like AO Tennis, AO Tennis 2, and Tennis World Tour 2 have already come out. Not too long ago. Therefore, Tiebreak is not a debut in the genre. In fact, Tiebreak is probably the most effective of all. The game that leaves the best overall impression. However, compared to other competitors in the market, namely TopSpin, Tiebreak seems to want to make licenses and fidelity to the original athlete models one of its greatest attributes.
As an experience, without jumping to conclusions, it is true that it appears to be a game still in need of progress and fine-tuning. The path is almost that of simulation, with a variety of shots for various effects. There is also a dose of risk in the plays, in stretching the shots more, increasing the strength of the shot in depth or near the net, which increases the probability of the ball going out.
The service can be performed through different ways, with more or less risk, aiming for speed through the force of the shot and the passage over the net, with a greater probability when the ball is thrown high. After the service, there is a set of shots that can be applied, depending on the ball’s evolution. Top spin, lob, flat, and slice are some options through the circle, x, square, and triangle buttons. You can use L2 and R2 for a bodily preparation of the athlete aiming for a more solid and secure shot. Added to this are some effects with R1 and the drop shot through R2. It is a fairly wide range of solutions that allow for stretching the game or getting closer to the net.
The Tennis Game Experience
When it comes to game modes, while not the most extensive, it can be considered above average. There are quick matches with various settings, immediate participation in ATP or WTA 1000 tournaments, and their respective finals. With over 90 official tournaments and a roster of more than 120 athletes, the game truly stands out with its use of licenses, featuring incredibly detailed virtual models that closely resemble their real-life counterparts.
Competing against virtual players not only allows players to face their favorite athletes but also provides the opportunity to create custom players, customize equipment, and design stadiums. The career mode is perfect for those aiming to climb to the top of the ATP or WTA rankings. A standout feature is the “slam challenge,” which revolves around Novak Djokovic’s career and offers players the chance to rewrite history by conquering challenges the Serbian player failed to overcome, along with a variety of rewards.
Pros and Cons
- Licensing benefits
- Authentic atmosphere in stadiums during matches
- Intuitive sense of control
- Engaging career mode
- Extensive athlete, clothing, and stadium customization
- Some movements require precise execution timing
- Steep learning curve at the beginning
- Potential for more diverse game modes
About the Author
