The great unifier
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Top Spin franchise since its inception, but also feel that it’s been a little too hardcore for its own good. That’s exactly where Top Spin 4 steps in. This is a tennis game that’s both accessible enough for newcomers and deep enough for veterans, making Top Spin 4 a well made video game I’d feel comfortable recommending to just about anyone.
The thing that makes Top Spin 4 so impressive is precisely that balance between accessibility and depth. Clever tutorials do a great job at teaching you the basics in a timely manner, and some incredibly useful (but totally optional) in-game helpers, such as timing indicators and power meters, provide constant feedback on just about everything you do. They let you know exactly what you’re doing right and wrong, and when combined with the game’s sharp controls provide you with all the tools you need to learn the ropes. It genuinely feels like the game is ready and willing to help you improve, and there are plenty of precise techniques to work on. Top Spin 4 is a busy game, and mastering all of its different strokes and spins available can be as intricate a process as you want it to be. In fact, if you’re playing on a higher difficulty or online you’ll find it to be a demanding, skill based affair. At its best it can feel like you’re threading the needle towards the end of a close match, as if a single shot can be the only thing between victory and defeat. This is often true of tennis in general, and is one of the main reasons it can be so exciting. Top Spin 4’s depth allows it to reach a similar level of intensity, which is just fantastic.
That’s the real strength of Top Spin 4. It starts small but gets big, and offers enough options and variables to allow players of any skill level to experience it at their own pace. This hasn’t always been the case with the series, but Top Spin 4 makes the adjustment, and the results are apparent in every facet of the game. The core mechanics, basic learning curve, and character building aspects are all more streamlined than ever. The different shots you can hit function in ways that feel right, and allocating points to your character's various stats is both infinitely less confusing and more balanced than before. The career mode also features a steadier progression, making it highly satisfying when you finally topple some of the world’s best on the biggest stages. Last but not least, Top Spin 4 has a great selection of online options for anyone looking for a solid competitive arena. You can find some of the toughest opposition here, and it’s a great place to test the limits of your skills.
Granted, Top Spin 4 isn’t perfect. The animations occasionally hinder your movement, some of the career objectives seem arbitrary and “grindy”, and you probably need to have some amount of appreciation for the sport of tennis to really enjoy the action. But the most important things, namely the core mechanics, are so strong that the nits are barely worth picking. Top Spin 4 is a great game in the ways that matter most, and is undoubtedly the best tennis game I've played to date.
For additional information on my review style and scoring system, click here.