TIEBREAK: Official Game of the ATP and WTA, developed by Big Ant Studios and published by Nacon, is here to serve up the next ambitious take on the sport tennis. With one of the most impressive rosters of officially licensed players and tournaments we’ve seen yet, the game strives to capture professional tennis both on and off the court. However, while it brings authenticity and ambition, it also falls into some familiar traps that may leave some fans yearning for a more polished experience. Here’s our take on the PS5 version.
The game’s premise is straightforward: take control of a professional tennis player, whether a real-life star like Novak Djokovic or Iga Swiatek, or a custom-made athlete, and navigate through the ATP and WTA tours. This includes participating in over 90 official tournaments and competing against over 120 licensed pros, each of whom is designed to look like their real-life counterparts – including their playstyles. From Rafael Nadal’s topspin forehand to the pure elegance of Roger Federer’s style, TIEBREAK captures the unique nuances of each player’s game with impressive fidelity – though we would have enjoyed having some more of the sport’s iconic past stars as well for this reason.
One of the game’s strongest aspects is its gameplay. TIEBREAK requires players to adapt their strategies to different surfaces, opponents, and situations. Your opponent will adjust to your playstyle to offer a more challenging experience, especially on higher difficulty settings. This is particularly clear to see in longer matches, where endurance and adaptability become crucial and the AI has more time to learn and adapt. However, while this complexity will be a draw for hardcore tennis fans, it may be overwhelming for casual players who are looking for a more accessible experience – and a few rough edges (see below) can break the immersion as well.
Unfortunately, the game’s controls, while serviceable, don’t quite match the fluidity that one might expect. Movement can feel a bit stiff, and there are occasional issues with responsiveness that can lead to frustrating moments during crucial points – where suddenly a pro looks like a beginner as position and timing are misjudged completely. For a game that demands precision, these control quirks can detract from the overall experience, especially when you’re trying to make crucial shots under pressure.
Visually, TIEBREAK does an admirable job of replicating the look and feel of professional tennis, with detailed player models and realistic animations that bring the sport to life. The developers have clearly put a lot of effort into capturing the signature movements of top players, and it shows in the fluidity of their strokes and the authenticity of their on-court behavior. The game’s various courts, from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass of Wimbledon, are also nicely rendered, adding to the sense of immersion. However, there are still some inconsistencies in the visual presentation, such as occasional texture pop-ins and less polished crowd animations, which can break the immersion at times – as can the occasional rough transition between movements.
The audio design in TIEBREAK is generally solid, with realistic sound effects that enhance the atmosphere of the matches. The thwack of the ball hitting the racquet and the sound of shoes sliding across the court contribute to a convincing auditory experience. However, the commentary will start to feel repetitive and lacks the dynamic range needed to fully capture the ebb and flow of a live match. This can lead to moments where the excitement of a high-stakes point isn’t fully conveyed through the audio, and the commentary will start to feel overly predictable.
One of the game’s standout features is the extensive career mode, which offers a deep and immersive experience as you guide your player through multiple seasons on the professional circuit. Managing your schedule, improving your skills, and climbing the rankings provides a satisfying progression loop that will keep players engaged for the long haul – or at least until they hit that coveted number 1 spot. The game also includes a “Novak Djokovic Slam Challenge,” where players can relive and even surpass moments of Djokovic’s career, adding an extra layer of challenge and fan service – though Djokovic’ popularity never quite reached the highs of Federer and Nadal, and it would have been great to have several paths to follow, for multiple players.
TIEBREAK’s online multiplayer mode, while ambitious, can suffer from connectivity issues and lag, which can be particularly frustrating in a game that demands precise timing and quick reflexes. Additionally, the game’s reliance on realism can sometimes come at the expense of fun, with the slower pace and strategic elements potentially alienating those looking for a more arcade-style experience akin to Virtua Tennis.
In conclusion, TIEBREAK: Official Game of the ATP and WTA is a commendable effort to bring the intricacies of professional tennis to life in a video game. It offers a deep and challenging experience that will appeal to die-hard fans of the sport, but its control issues, occasional hiccups, and demanding learning curve may limit its appeal to a broader audience. For those willing to invest the time to master its nuances, however, TIEBREAK provides a rich and rewarding tennis simulation that captures the highs and lows of the ATP and WTA tours – with the most impressive roster of players we’ve seen in ages.
Score: 7.3/10
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