REVIEW: TopSpin 2K25 brings great news and lots of fun

When talking about tennis simulators in video games, TopSpin is one of the main names, a series that remains firm and strong today. Its newest release is exquisite, featuring a robust career mode and captivating game systems. Find out more highlights of this great launch in our full review!

The return of one of the great video game franchises

Since 2003, TopSpin has been consolidating its place as one of the best series of simulators in the yellow ball sport and the time has come to face the biggest of its challenges with TopSpin 2K25, an extremely addictive game developed by the same studio responsible for the series Mafia, hangar 13. It might seem like a strange combination, but the team behind the game got a tremendous one right. Smash with this new edition of TopSpin, making it an excellent choice for both sports lovers with no experience with video games and veterans of the series.

This is because the game is quite didactic, but still brings a generous dose of realism and authenticity. Who represents the sport better than one of its greatest champions, John McEnroe? Well, the little gentleman is none other than the presenter of the game, your guide to enter the world of tennis head and racket, giving the best and most important tips to do well in TopSpin 2K25. 

His lessons are not simple tutorials. They deal with all layers of the physics and simulation system for different types of moves, not to mention movement and positioning on the court, the types of surfaces on which you will play, and of course, when and why to apply the most varied moves. . Unlike games more in the style arcade , the Super Mario Tennis e Virtua Tennis, TopSpin 2K25 takes realism to a much higher level, dealing with the different ways of hitting a ball to the other side of the court in an innovative way, easy to learn, but at the same time very rewarding to master.

It's no exaggeration to say that this game is the most realistic ever, because the developers found a way to translate the act of playing tennis into a video game in a believable and fun way. At first, the comings and goings on the court are limited to using a single type of shot, and little by little you will learn the tricks of the game. To sum up the game: just hold down the button and release it when the ball reaches your racket. It seems easy and it is, but think about doing this during a match, also worrying about your positioning and speed, not to mention your opponent!

Well, it is exactly this mix of skills, attention and a lot of training that makes TopSpin 2K25 It's a great game, because there are many ways to test what you will learn from John in your career as a tennis player. The main one is the career mode, where you will spend most of your time, the real meat of the game. In it, you create your player to transform them into tennis monsters in special championships and challenges. The best part, however, is the way in which 2K, the game's publisher, approaches delivering more content to the player.

If you've ever played a Call of Duty of life, you already have an idea of ​​what a season pass is all about. In TopSpin 2K25, news will be delivered as the months go by, presenting new challenges to be completed, to unlock new equipment, for example, tournaments to participate in, and others minigames to put your tennis player to the test. To make use of all this, just register and stay up to date with game updates; If the initial content is any hint of what's to come, it'll be well worth it.

A performance beyond Wimbledon

Okay, okay, that pun was terrible, but luckily it's not too far from reality when we're talking about the visual and sonic realism of TopSpin 2K25. As a game from the current generation of consoles, the game features detailed character models and a lighting system that makes matches look like real television broadcasts. 

On the other hand, some real tennis figures like Roger Federer and Serena Williams still have that “uncanny valley” problem, as they are people we have seen from practically every angle in the decades they have been part of the world circuit. of sport. The “dolls” created by you, in turn, offer plenty of customization options, and don’t provide the same visual appeal as the famous ones, luckily!

The coolest part of the game, at least on the PlayStation 5, where the game was tested for this article, is how the sound is handled. Through control dual sense, it is possible to hear many of the sound effects during the matches, such as the hit of the ball on the floor of the court, its impact on the racket, the players' grunts and even the screams of the line judges. This interaction gives the game an added realism, not to mention a special involvement with the player, placed even more in the middle of the action. It's a really cool integration that will help you feel like you're on the court, sweating along with your character.

TopSpin 2K25 It lacks in just one aspect of the presentation: the music from its various menus. They are very weak and repetitive, but luckily it is possible to turn them off. Taking into account all the visual and auditory splendor of the game, it is somewhat disappointing not to be able to count on a cool soundtrack, but it is not something that comes close to ruining the experience in any way.

Where and how to play

The new version of TopSpin is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One e Xbox Series X | S, not to mention the PC version, through the Steam. The price varies between platforms, so pay attention to the bid when deciding which one to buy.

The most important thing, as usual, is the computer, but not by much. The price of the base version is R$299,99, while the deluxe version, which comes with some goodies in the form of colorful clothes for your character, will weigh on your pocket, R$499,50. And there is still variation Grand Slam of the game, including the season pass, for R$599,50!

No Xbox, the price of the game is the same as Steam, and the game can be purchased through the console's virtual store for R$299,99 for a copy of Xbox One, or R$349,90 for cross-gen, that is, usable both in Xbox One how much in Xbox Series S | X. Both the deluxe and Grand Slam can also be purchased through Microsoft using the same labels as Steam.

Arriving then at PSN, there is no distinction between versions of the two varieties, so whatever is purchased will run both on your PlayStation 4 how much in 5. Because of this, there is no more affordable option for Sony consoles: the starting price is mid-range for other systems, R$349,90, also including the luxury and Grand Slam, for the same R$499,50 and R$599,50 respectively.

Also remembering that the game officially arrives in Brazil in a national version of a physical media box. Just look for it in your preferred store, but be careful, because the price varies and may not follow the price list stipulated by the publisher. Oh, unfortunately, TopSpin 2K25 It doesn’t have a Brazilian location…

So, is TopSpin 2K25 worth it?!

Friends and tennis lovers, TopSpin 2K25 It is a true jewel of the virtual sport of rackets and grunts worthy of our dear Gustavo Kuerten, Guga. Yes, it is a current tennis game, with a lot of content and a difficulty curve that encourages you to train and improve yourself thanks to its nuanced gameplay and a unique depth of play among current sports games.

Whether in career mode or in matches against friends and rivals over the internet, TopSpin 2K25 delivers a very high quality experience, with an above-average fun factor that will keep you hooked on the game for months on end. McEnroe's presence is the icing on a very tasty cake for a game franchise that celebrated its twentieth anniversary last year. 

If you've ever been interested in playing tennis, whether for real or using a video game controller, this is easily one of the best ever released, an excellent gateway for beginners or a tight hug for those who already have calloused hands from holding a controller. . TopSpin 2K25 It's guaranteed fun and with all the game options that will come post-launch, it will be a disc or download that won't leave your console or computer anytime soon!

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Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim