Top Secret Magasine Extreme Tennis

Head Games Publishing, an Activision company give us a game from it's Extreme series: Extreme Tennis. Are you in good shape? I hope so, for your sake...

As you launch the game for the first time, they put you in the game with a short but effective introduction. After that, you have to go through the virtual pro shop before having access to the court. Inside the pro shop you have to choose your clothes and running shoes or other accessories... As you wish!

Now you access the court, but before there is some options that you have to go trhough. You have to decide what kind of court, male or female tennis, number of set, singles doubles, mixed doubles, tournament, practice, resolution of the screen, the settings for the sound, etc. Now are you ready? You better be, cause it won't be easy!

For those who play games for a while, I mean long enough, you may remember an old tennis game: Tennis Cup. , you will find similitaries in the gameplay of Tennis Cup and Extreme Tennis. The movement of the player looks similar.

First, you have to know that you can do top spin, lobs, drop shots, cut shots and more, just like when you play outside or watch on television! You have the choice between 4 court surfaces: hardcourt, grass, clay and synthetic, The game's graphics are based on the 3D technology and they are good quality.

The colors are brillant and the environment bring you the atmosphere of a real tennis game. Also, the interface is really user friendly and guides you all the way through the game. When you play, everything from real life Tennis is there, From the little guy who runs after the ball to the audience in the stands, and also the referee. All this helps to put you in the game.

It's relaistic, that's true, but it's not perfect, First, when you hit the ball your player is immobilized as long as he hasn't finished the move, it's really frustrating sometimes. The other thing that I think it could have been better is the name of the players. They took the names of real tennis stars but they modified it, like Pete Sampras become Pret Xampas... I know there is a right question beside that, but if you couldn't have the real names, why don't you leave that part to the gamer!

We can see an international side in the 16 players and the multiple venues from around the globe. There is also multiple camera angles and instant replay too. The last thing I want to let you know is the multiplayer capabilities of the game over modem, LAN and serial link!

Now it's time to go on the court... if you are like me, i.e. a sports fan or a simple tennis fan, then this game is a must-have for you. If you're none of the above, then I suggest to try it, you may be surprised...

Company
Headgames
www.headgames.net

Category
Tennis game

NOTES

Interest : 84 %
Control : 82%
Graphics : 85 %
Sound : 84 %
Originality : 83 %

TOTAL : 82 %

Requirements:

Operating System:
Windows 95/98

Processor:
Pentium 100MHz or better

Memory:
16 MB of RAM

Hard Drive
70 MB

Sound Card:
Windows compatible sound card

Video:
Video Card

Michel Blanchette

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