Grand Slam Tennis: EA Sports Tennis Game
Moderators: Bill_Abner, ScoopBrady
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_ovZZzi ... PL&index=210spro wrote:The Wii version WILL have the motion plus feature. Would be interested to see how much spin one can master out of the controllers.wco81 wrote:Looks like VT 2009 is going to be out before Grand Slam. It's due 6/2 and the Wii version may have the Motion Plus support.
XBLive Gamertag - Diablo25
PSN Name - EPDiablo25
PSN Name - EPDiablo25
-
sportdan30
- DSP-Funk All-Star
- Posts: 9111
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 3:00 am
- Location: St. Louis
IGN Review is in...
http://wii.ign.com/articles/992/992615p1.html
"Closing Comments
Grand Slam Tennis is an impressive package on Wii, and one of the best tennis games I’ve ever played. This opening year of Wii MotionPlus support – and the fact that it’s the first time out the gate for this series – leaves a few odd experiences to be had, and it’s not quite a true 1:1 experience for real-racquet movement, but minus a bit of a learning curve and some mechanical serving the experience is surprisingly fun and really, really addictive. It may seem daunting at first to deal with character movement, swing control, and button modifiers for lobs and drops, but once you get in the zone you’ll feel a level of connectivity that other games on the system just don’t have, and it’s paled only in comparison with Tiger Woods which is simply amazing this year. On top of some impressive, extremely accurate – once you get the feel for them – motion controls the game is also packed with content, including a full Grand Slam career mode, create-a-character, impressive online play that puts country vs. country play at the forefront of it all, and a party mode I actually want to play. I’m hoping EA goes even further with MotionPlus next year, including stronger motion serving and true hand-tracking, but as a debut franchise and rookie MotionPlus effort EA is already raising the bar for sports games on Wii."
http://wii.ign.com/articles/992/992615p1.html
"Closing Comments
Grand Slam Tennis is an impressive package on Wii, and one of the best tennis games I’ve ever played. This opening year of Wii MotionPlus support – and the fact that it’s the first time out the gate for this series – leaves a few odd experiences to be had, and it’s not quite a true 1:1 experience for real-racquet movement, but minus a bit of a learning curve and some mechanical serving the experience is surprisingly fun and really, really addictive. It may seem daunting at first to deal with character movement, swing control, and button modifiers for lobs and drops, but once you get in the zone you’ll feel a level of connectivity that other games on the system just don’t have, and it’s paled only in comparison with Tiger Woods which is simply amazing this year. On top of some impressive, extremely accurate – once you get the feel for them – motion controls the game is also packed with content, including a full Grand Slam career mode, create-a-character, impressive online play that puts country vs. country play at the forefront of it all, and a party mode I actually want to play. I’m hoping EA goes even further with MotionPlus next year, including stronger motion serving and true hand-tracking, but as a debut franchise and rookie MotionPlus effort EA is already raising the bar for sports games on Wii."
XBL Gamertag: Spooky Disco
On the other hand; ouch:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ea-sp ... nis-review
I better get some more impressions from you dudes out here that will be getting the Wii version. How IGN claims that the WMP raises the bar for sports game to Eurogamer's wondering whether this 'motion plus' even works in this game, there's obviously a gap.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ea-sp ... nis-review
I better get some more impressions from you dudes out here that will be getting the Wii version. How IGN claims that the WMP raises the bar for sports game to Eurogamer's wondering whether this 'motion plus' even works in this game, there's obviously a gap.
That Eurogamer review does sound like a complete contradiction to the IGN review. I found the following quote interesting though:
Isn't that pretty much like real tennis?In the heat of a lengthy rally, you might be doing fine, but one misread shot and you're another point down. If that happens a couple of times in a game, you're not only left frustrated, but probably defeated
-
sportdan30
- DSP-Funk All-Star
- Posts: 9111
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 3:00 am
- Location: St. Louis
The PS3/360 version doesn't come out until much later in the year.wco81 wrote:You know I don't even see any previews for the PS3/360 versions.
As far as the Wii version button modifiers for lobs?
Too bad a swinging upwards motion can't be translated as a lob on the screen.
There's an option not to use button modifiers from what I've read.
It is. But I think his frustration is more with he Wii controller and how the ball direction may not do what you want to do especially with the new 'motion plus', therefore being frustrated.DChaps wrote:That Eurogamer review does sound like a complete contradiction to the IGN review. I found the following quote interesting though:
Isn't that pretty much like real tennis?In the heat of a lengthy rally, you might be doing fine, but one misread shot and you're another point down. If that happens a couple of times in a game, you're not only left frustrated, but probably defeated
But on the hand, IGN claims that the controller is just so sweeeeet an responsive.
From Videogamer.com:
'We also had numerous occasions where the game didn't recognise a swing at all, despite our action changing very little from one shot to another. Once in a blue moon is fine, but this happened too often to be ignored.'
and
'If you're after the most realistic feeling tennis game on the market, Grand Slam Tennis for Wii is it, when it works. MotionPlus-enabled shots can be performed by feel alone (as long as you're not lobbing or performing drop shots) and this will be enough for a lot of gamers – just be prepared for a fair few annoying moments. If you're after an in-depth single-player experience you might be disappointed though, as what's on offer here is geared around playing with friends.'
You wonder what IGN was playing.
'We also had numerous occasions where the game didn't recognise a swing at all, despite our action changing very little from one shot to another. Once in a blue moon is fine, but this happened too often to be ignored.'
and
'If you're after the most realistic feeling tennis game on the market, Grand Slam Tennis for Wii is it, when it works. MotionPlus-enabled shots can be performed by feel alone (as long as you're not lobbing or performing drop shots) and this will be enough for a lot of gamers – just be prepared for a fair few annoying moments. If you're after an in-depth single-player experience you might be disappointed though, as what's on offer here is geared around playing with friends.'
You wonder what IGN was playing.
Okay...maybe I am just hoping too much that this game will be great and don't want to believe the bad reviews, BUT after reading them I really wonder if the reviewers actually took the time to learn the controls and really adjust to playing it how it is suppsoed to be played. There is apparently quite a learning curve if you want to take full advantage of the games controls and I fear that the two 'bad/mediocore' reviews gave up too early.
Quotes like...
"When it works the MotionPlus controls are excellent, as we've described above. The problem is that controlling your character with the Nunchuck at the same time as swinging the Remote isn't as easy as it appears, and you'll likely get quite frustrated. Trying to focus on the correct swing type and simultaneously get your player into the right position on court is something for expert players only. As a result, the best option for many will be to let the game handle player movement, as is the case in Nintendo's Wii Sports Tennis."
Or...
"And while it might be possible to nail down your shot-selection reasonably early on, getting the game to behave itself during shot-placement is a dark art that makes Grand Slam Tennis feel disproportionately difficult on even the easiest setting. Usually in console tennis games, one of the most effective means of ensuring players get used to a new control system is to encourage them to enter a Tennis Academy and learn all about shot-placement and which shots are the best for any given situation. Sadly, Grand Slam Tennis has nothing of the sort, save for the ability to slug it out against the aforementioned ball machine. You can either play a four-tournament Grand Slam (encompassing Wimbledon, as well as the French, Australian and US Opens), or play against friends offline or online. To get better, you just have to get better. Eventually. Or you might not."
Or...
"You can't blame Wii MotionPlus for this failure, because it's almost impossible to tell whether it's helping or hindering."
Now I may be giving IGN WAAAAY too much credit here but at least in their review they mention the learning curve and sticking with it until things click.
Like...
"It took me about 10 – 15 minutes of time to really get a feel for what Wii MotionPlus was doing, and another half hour or so to really feel confident that I was playing exactly how it wanted me to, but considering the amount of time real tennis takes that's not exactly a huge investment."
And...
"As far as the in-game "motion screw-ups" though, I saw it happen with other players far more than on my own, and in the hands of a few non-Wii gamers the experience was still really enjoyable. Our own video guy Anthony Cava is a serious tennis player, and he called it the best tennis game he'd ever played after just a few minutes with the controller. Issues can arise at times, but that's far from the common experience as far as I'm concerned."
Or...
"Yeah there's a bit of a learning curve – honestly, about time on Wii – but when the reward for shot practice is a game so fun that you're going back just to knock a few balls around in quick play over and over that's something I can get behind. Once mastered you'll be able to put the ball wherever you want on the court, and doing that with real motion control is very, very rewarding."
I don't know... Guess I'll just have to try it for myself but I REALLY want to believe the IGN review.
Quotes like...
"When it works the MotionPlus controls are excellent, as we've described above. The problem is that controlling your character with the Nunchuck at the same time as swinging the Remote isn't as easy as it appears, and you'll likely get quite frustrated. Trying to focus on the correct swing type and simultaneously get your player into the right position on court is something for expert players only. As a result, the best option for many will be to let the game handle player movement, as is the case in Nintendo's Wii Sports Tennis."
Or...
"And while it might be possible to nail down your shot-selection reasonably early on, getting the game to behave itself during shot-placement is a dark art that makes Grand Slam Tennis feel disproportionately difficult on even the easiest setting. Usually in console tennis games, one of the most effective means of ensuring players get used to a new control system is to encourage them to enter a Tennis Academy and learn all about shot-placement and which shots are the best for any given situation. Sadly, Grand Slam Tennis has nothing of the sort, save for the ability to slug it out against the aforementioned ball machine. You can either play a four-tournament Grand Slam (encompassing Wimbledon, as well as the French, Australian and US Opens), or play against friends offline or online. To get better, you just have to get better. Eventually. Or you might not."
Or...
"You can't blame Wii MotionPlus for this failure, because it's almost impossible to tell whether it's helping or hindering."
Now I may be giving IGN WAAAAY too much credit here but at least in their review they mention the learning curve and sticking with it until things click.
Like...
"It took me about 10 – 15 minutes of time to really get a feel for what Wii MotionPlus was doing, and another half hour or so to really feel confident that I was playing exactly how it wanted me to, but considering the amount of time real tennis takes that's not exactly a huge investment."
And...
"As far as the in-game "motion screw-ups" though, I saw it happen with other players far more than on my own, and in the hands of a few non-Wii gamers the experience was still really enjoyable. Our own video guy Anthony Cava is a serious tennis player, and he called it the best tennis game he'd ever played after just a few minutes with the controller. Issues can arise at times, but that's far from the common experience as far as I'm concerned."
Or...
"Yeah there's a bit of a learning curve – honestly, about time on Wii – but when the reward for shot practice is a game so fun that you're going back just to knock a few balls around in quick play over and over that's something I can get behind. Once mastered you'll be able to put the ball wherever you want on the court, and doing that with real motion control is very, very rewarding."
I don't know... Guess I'll just have to try it for myself but I REALLY want to believe the IGN review.
XBL Gamertag: Spooky Disco
FWIW, there is some discussion at neogaf that the reviewers at Eurogamer held the Wii remote incorrectly with the buttons facing the TV, whereas Grand Slam Tennis is programmed such that the side of the Wii remote is the face of the racket and that you must hold the remote with the buttons facing up.
Seems hard to believe that eurogamer could screw it up so badly, but who knows.
Seems hard to believe that eurogamer could screw it up so badly, but who knows.
-
sportdan30
- DSP-Funk All-Star
- Posts: 9111
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 3:00 am
- Location: St. Louis
That's also the consensus at the EA Sports community. The following is a link to gamplay impressions in case anyone is interested.Naples39 wrote:FWIW, there is some discussion at neogaf that the reviewers at Eurogamer held the Wii remote incorrectly with the buttons facing the TV, whereas Grand Slam Tennis is programmed such that the side of the Wii remote is the face of the racket and that you must hold the remote with the buttons facing up.
Seems hard to believe that eurogamer could screw it up so badly, but who knows.
http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/241336.page
K. Reed is probably one of the longest serving and respected reviewers on EG. It would be quite a rarity for him to have got this review so wrong as is being suggested. Having said that, he really doesn't seem to do many Wii reviews. But according to EA, if it was indeed held incorrectly another review should be posted by him.Naples39 wrote:FWIW, there is some discussion at neogaf that the reviewers at Eurogamer held the Wii remote incorrectly with the buttons facing the TV, whereas Grand Slam Tennis is programmed such that the side of the Wii remote is the face of the racket and that you must hold the remote with the buttons facing up.
Seems hard to believe that eurogamer could screw it up so badly, but who knows.
I was really looking forward to this game as I know I won't be getting Virtua Tennis this year, and as in TW10 I was debating between the 360 or Wii version.
My impressions after 2 hours with this game... I LOVE IT!!! I don't play a lot of tennis these days, but I used to, so maybe that's why the control seems very intuitive to me. It's certainly not a mess...
I bought this and Tiger Woods today and after a few holes of Tiger, I was back to tennis. I love the way the controls work, executing a cross court slice shot is a dream, and topsin is completely intuitive. Shot placement is a bit tough, but all it takes is practice. It's a combination of timing and follow-through.
Graphics are very good for a Wii game, the sound is excellent, and the on-line play is a lot of fun too. Haven't tried multiplayer or party modes yet.
I bought this and Tiger Woods today and after a few holes of Tiger, I was back to tennis. I love the way the controls work, executing a cross court slice shot is a dream, and topsin is completely intuitive. Shot placement is a bit tough, but all it takes is practice. It's a combination of timing and follow-through.
Graphics are very good for a Wii game, the sound is excellent, and the on-line play is a lot of fun too. Haven't tried multiplayer or party modes yet.
I was not able to play anymore last night but the mixed reviews are SO strange. I swear I feel like the EG reviewer and think that maybe my M+ is broken when I play Grand Slam. (it's not broken but...)
Any tips or pointers in how I should be swinging or even standing? I wonder if my stance is weird.
Any tips or pointers in how I should be swinging or even standing? I wonder if my stance is weird.
XBL Gamertag: Spooky Disco
Okay...played for about an hour this morning and started to get the hang of it more. BUT...
It's just too unpredictable. Bottom line. WAAAAAY too many unregistered swings or incorrectly registered swings. Then, twice, my M+ was so badly out of sync (even after supposedly letting it sit still for a few seconds to 're-sync') that I had to unplug it and plug it back in.
With a lot of discipline I was able to place most of my shots where I wanted but every time I felt a rhythm either I’d lose it or the damn character would either swing when I didn’t or not swig when I did. I would be more than fine if it was all my fault but it’s just not.
The thing that REALLY bothers me is that I cannot find a way to change my control type. In other words, if I have the M+ plugged in then is that my only control option? Do I really have to take the damn protective sleeve off and on to unplug the damn M+ just because the game forget to give me the choice in a menu setting? I actually did unplug it for a bit to try it out and the game was much more playable but not quite as fun or rewarding (when the M+ actually worked().
I don’t think I can play with the unpredictability of this game. Just too frustrating. I am going to try VT 2009 and see what happens there. I have read that it does not have quite the full M+ control as Grand Slam, which I’m now thinking is a good thing.
It's just too unpredictable. Bottom line. WAAAAAY too many unregistered swings or incorrectly registered swings. Then, twice, my M+ was so badly out of sync (even after supposedly letting it sit still for a few seconds to 're-sync') that I had to unplug it and plug it back in.
With a lot of discipline I was able to place most of my shots where I wanted but every time I felt a rhythm either I’d lose it or the damn character would either swing when I didn’t or not swig when I did. I would be more than fine if it was all my fault but it’s just not.
The thing that REALLY bothers me is that I cannot find a way to change my control type. In other words, if I have the M+ plugged in then is that my only control option? Do I really have to take the damn protective sleeve off and on to unplug the damn M+ just because the game forget to give me the choice in a menu setting? I actually did unplug it for a bit to try it out and the game was much more playable but not quite as fun or rewarding (when the M+ actually worked().
I don’t think I can play with the unpredictability of this game. Just too frustrating. I am going to try VT 2009 and see what happens there. I have read that it does not have quite the full M+ control as Grand Slam, which I’m now thinking is a good thing.
XBL Gamertag: Spooky Disco
Spooky wrote: I don’t think I can play with the unpredictability of this game. Just too frustrating. I am going to try VT 2009 and see what happens there. I have read that it does not have quite the full M+ control as Grand Slam, which I’m now thinking is a good thing.
Interesting.You wonder now that maybe the EG review was more accurate with the little intricacies of the motion + that Reed was alluring to. So just to be sure , are you supposed to be holding the controller with the buttons faced up facing the TV or sideways?