The player models are absolutely eye-catching -- they're almost eerily realistic, and move very fluidly. Don't let them convince you this game is anything less then the coolest Table Tennis game there is. The ball moves just as you'd expect in real life -- it'll even ricochet off at unusual angles should it hit the edge of the table. As much as it would have been nice to see a Virtua Tennis-style career mode, complete with a character creation system and crazy minigames, the gameplay in Table Tennis just feels so right that a short list of modes is easy to accept. You'll find yourself thinking shots ahead as you try to gradually out position your opponent -- and they'll obviously be thinking the same. Table tennis may not seem the most exciting game to transform into a next-generation video game, but Rockstar have managed to make a compelling title by focusing on getting the mechanics of table tennis down pat. Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Review. The single-screen two-player matches work better here than they do in most tennis games, largely because there isn't as much ground to cover, making the backcourt perspective less of a handicap. Underlying the fast and frenetic gameplay is a solid physics engine that looks and feels extremely realistic. Lean set of play modes and options. The controls are simple -- the Xbox 360's left thumbstick is used to move players, while all of the four face buttons can be pressed to return a shot. This isn't to say that there's not skill and technique involved in table tennis, but the barrier to entry and the physical exertion are much lower. Table Tennis defies you to not be impressed with its incredible-looking player models. That's because Pong is what it is, as is Rockstar Table Tennis. A … Looking for a great show to watch tonight? During the course of a match, you'll hear individuals yelling out encouragement, booing if you're playing particularly badly, and chanting your character's name should you be on fire. The characters all differ in skills and expertise (power, accuracy, spin and serve), meaning players will have to set their game strategies depending on the character they're playing. With all of the different spins available for players to utilise, the game becomes a tense affair of positioning and forward planning, particularly between two experienced players. Let's round up some of its best gems. Addictive gameplay. Table Tennis looks stunning on a HD television. There are also techno tracks that kick in when you get locked into a really serious rally. ! In the real world, it's easy to write off table tennis as a stunted summer-camp version of real tennis, even though table tennis is an Olympic sport. Welcome Rockstar Games Table Tennis. Despite Rockstar North’s notorious lineup of violent games such as the Grand Theft Auto series and Manhunt, it turns out that its brother studio, Rockstar San Diego, meticulously created a clean, family-friendly sports game for the whole family to enjoy. Eyes gleam with life; shirts shift around as the players move; sweat beads up and glistens on the skin as the match progresses, eventually seeping through the fabric of the player's shirt. The Bad Lean set of play modes and options. There's also an Exhibition mode which allows you to take on computer or human opponents in one on one matches. Gradual learning curve lets newbies jump straight into the action. Rockstar Table Tennis (Wii) Review. Table Tennis is wicked fun. Chuck would've liked to see a … Table Tennis gets a next gen look on the Xbox 360, courtesy of Rockstar Games. Focus shots are more accurate, powerful returns that can only be used when a player's focus meter is charged. Or is there a super secret -Hot Coffee" style cheat for naked pong action? Besides, the game's surprisingly crisp sound design provides plenty of its own distractions in the form of some distinct crowd noise. Try as we might, we haven't yet found a 'Hot Coffee' mod for Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis. Ping Pong moves out of the log cabin and in to the big league. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. The game encourages you to keep coming back to the single-player game with the promise of unlockable characters, costumes, and arenas. The gameplay is so fast and furious that extended play sessions can leave your nerves completely shot. Not sure what to watch on Amazon tonight? Color-blind players should take note that, while this is a really nice piece of visual shorthand for most people, they might find it difficult to differentiate between the colors. Table Tennis gets a next gen look on the Xbox 360, courtesy of Rockstar Games. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Spiffy next-gen effects are also in play -- the character's all feature textured clothing that move well against their bodies. The game's soundtrack also fits in well with the pace of the game -- it's quiet at first, but the longer your rally goes the more intense the music becomes. Not for the lone gamer -- you'll need to play against friends or on Live to make the most out of it. You'll hear specific encouragement from fans, nationalist chants, and the rumbling stomp of feet in the grandstands. Table Tennis is insanely addictive. It makes the aiming simultaneously more intuitive and more effective, and it's so simple and so brilliant that it will be disappointing if the next crop of regular tennis video games doesn't implement a similar feature. In its transition from 360 over to Wii, Rockstar Table Tennis goes virtually unchanged. There's also one-off exhibition mode that pits you against either a CPU opponent or a second player. As a single player affair, Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis, frankly, loses its appeal quickly. Gradual learning curve lets newbies jump straight into the action. There's Xbox Live support, as well, with ranked matches, instant tournaments for up to eight players, and the ability to tweak a few match variables such as the number of rounds and the score needed to win. You also have a focus meter that fills as you successfully return the ball, which you can tap into by holding the right bumper before you start charging up your swing, unleashing an even faster, more potent shot that can easily catch your opponent off guard. Table Tennis starts with the now infamous Rockstar Games typeface, the one that's almost exactly the same as the one used in Grand Theft Auto. I think the biggest issue with this game is that it really requires you to know strategies from real life tennis-like games (squash, tennis, table tennis, etc). One of the most subtle features, and arguably one of the best little details in Table Tennis, is the use of force feedback. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rockstar's Table Tennis treats the game like a serious sport, taking incredible care to present some of the most realistic player characters ever put in a game and delivering frenetic and nuanced action. Intense action that draws you in. Russia accused in massive hack of US: What you need to know, US blacklists DJI and dozens of other Chinese companies, The iPhone 12 is great, but not because of 5G: Our speed test results, Discuss: Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis review: Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis. I still find that humorous! The Good Tight controls that are simple yet deep. 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