IMPRESSIONS

[o Sinna o]

I've played 3-4 tie breacks at Matheja's home and i can just say it looks very nice.
I'm sure we shouldn't be sure of anything since the final version will have big differences from the demo (as there always is in lots of games).
The demo is way too easy (how can we beat Rafa on hard at the first try!) As Ronnie said, it is on purpous and anyways, playing against a human with the final version will change everything.

As far as serve are concerned, i didn't manage to hit a powerfull serve yet but always hit great ones when S&V (always stick cause no power with buttons).

Regarding the volley btw, I'm sure we will have a lot more volley players than in all the other top spin series until now. It's alot easier to handle and the best way (for the moment at least) to finish a point (to me)

I never was a huge fan of risk but I hope the description the 2K manager made is true and the choice of the shots as well as their type will have a huge role because risk is part of tennis and i liked to fact that we had plenty of choices available for different situations otherwise, everyone will rush the net.

This is what I am fearing, especially if it is very difficult to make an unforced error now. People will get bored of extended VT-like rallies and will start net rushing. There is nothing wrong with S&V of course but it will be boring and unrealistic if everyone plays this way.
Anyway, can't judge fully until the game comes out but I have my reservations

You may not forget that it's easier to catch a human on the wrong foot than the CPU on hard because the CPU acts automatic. Ofcourse we will have long Rallies between humans too but many will end very fast by outplaying your Opponent.

Also you may not forget the humans who will have a really strong Serve which will end in very fast Points and damn hard Breaks too.

Ofcourse some Guys will use the Serve and Volley Style because the Game is made to use one of the three Styles and maybe also the Guys which are not so good from the Baseline but I fear no Problems at this Point.

[djarvik]

You have nothing to fear, SV will be more effective, yes. But ask Xavi Passing shots are now are more effective then in TS3 as well. WAY more effective.

I think out of 4 major styles, it look something like this:

1. Defensive Baseliner
2. Offensive Baseliner
3. SV
4. All around

If you tried playing defense in TS3, it should be very clear to you even from the demo that this style is now Super effective. Offensive basliners still will be strong, mainly because they will have both, serve and power. SV guys are going to be good yes, but on their serve, lots of tie breaks for them. All around is the weakest. Fed is the best example of all around and he is the weakest player in the demo besides Ivanovic.

[o Sinna o]

You have nothing to fear, SV will be more effective, yes. But ask Xavi Passing shots are now are more effective then in TS3 as well. WAY more effective.

I think out of 4 major styles, it look something like this:

1. Defensive Baseliner
2. Offensive Baseliner
3. SV
4. All around

If you tried playing defense in TS3, it should be very clear to you even from the demo that this style is now Super effective. Offensive basliners still will be strong, mainly because they will have both, serve and power. SV guys are going to be good yes, but on their serve, lots of tie breaks for them. All around is the weakest. Fed is the best example of all around and he is the weakest player in the demo besides Ivanovic.

Also on a Allround Guy like Frederer you see how strong the Balance in this Game really is. You see it clearly that you even have Chances against a strong defensive Baseliner like Nadal in the Demo on hard Difficulty and that you have clear Options to own him (even by outplaying him from the Baseline) even if Federer is a Guy who has no really Strong Points besides his Forehand, his Power and Stamina. All other Atrributes a Averageskillz. You agree that even a Allround has all Chances in the Game? I mean you see it in the Demo or not? And the CPU times the Strokes very well most of the Time by the Way.

[Puttu puttuu]

I really hope Serena's style will not become the norm of play .
Here is a video of me using her against Nadal ...
It's all serve and power ... not the best way to play this great game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Sj5gwD-D0

[djarvik]

Yes, all-arounder will have chances to win, but I still think it will be the weakest setup.

The only way I lose more then 2 points to Fed now is when I play with Ivanovic.

[o Sinna o]

Yes, all-arounder will have chances to win, but I still think it will be the weakest setup.

The only way I lose more then 2 points to Fed now is when I play with Ivanovic.

Yes I agree but you see also that you can play really strong with Fed. if he is controlled by a human. I played 85 ton 95 % of my Demo Matches with Fed against Nadal because this is the best Challenge and because I don't want play with a Left-Hander.

[Puttu puttuu]

also it can be noted that the old outwide slice serve plus big forehand combo is still there ...
it's TS3 all over again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Sj5gwD-D0

[djarvik]

I really hope Serena's style will not become the norm of play .
Here is a video of me using her against Nadal ...
It's all serve and power ... not the best way to play this great game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Sj5gwD-D0

True. I hope not.

BTW - look where Nadal places the ball, right in your strike zone, time after time. I think playing against a human, that can hit a few slices and generally change the pace AND depth well will be a different story.


I hope.

[djarvik]

also it can be noted that the old outwide slice serve plus big forehand combo is still there ...
it's TS3 all over again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Sj5gwD-D0

Where? Give a time in your video.

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

also it can be noted that the old outwide slice serve plus big forehand combo is still there ...
it's TS3 all over again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Sj5gwD-D0

It is easier to counter though Puttu... not as cheesey as TS3.

[VillaJ100]

The serve and volley and net play will be easier (and maybe more effective) but with online play you have the joy of lag, which can ruin everything

[Puttu puttuu]

oh yeah the outwide serve on match point ...
i can see a few ts3 players using this over and over again...

anyway wait and see ... i can't wait to play with Simon , Murray and Chang !

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

Yes, all-arounder will have chances to win, but I still think it will be the weakest setup.

The only way I lose more then 2 points to Fed now is when I play with Ivanovic.

Also Al, as you highlighted in another thread, we have the 100+ coaches at our disposal, so you can have an all-rounder with some bonus attributes (fatality or whatever...) AND a good gold coach to boost some select stats.

[djarvik]

oh yeah the outwide serve on match point ...
i can see a few ts3 players using this over and over again...

anyway wait and see ... i can't wait to play with Simon , Murray and Chang !

Lets hope better returners with more XP points on return can do something with that serve. But yeah, that serve has been the most effective shot since TS1

[djarvik]

Yes, all-arounder will have chances to win, but I still think it will be the weakest setup.

The only way I lose more then 2 points to Fed now is when I play with Ivanovic.

Also Al, as you highlighted in another thread, we have the 100+ coaches at our disposal, so you can have an all-rounder with some bonus attributes (fatality or whatever...) AND a good gold coach to boost some select stats.

True, but the same coaches can be used for Baseliners I was referring to the Core style.