Table Tennis Review

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(More customer reviews)If I told you a year ago when the Xbox 360 was being finalized and games were starting to be talked about, that Rockstar was supporting the system, what's the first thing you'd think of??Grand Theft Auto? Midnight Club? The Warriors? Sure, something like that. But then what if I told you in March that the first game Rockstar (keep in mind we're talking about Rockstar here) was going to put out on the Xbox 360 was Table Tennis (better known as PING-PONG!! in the US), would you have believed me? My very first reaction to that news was, "What, are they putting it out on Xbox Live Arcade??"I mean, seriously; Table Tennis?? From the guys that make rated M games? Were they serious? Was this a joke? The answer to those questions in order was:No, yes, yes, yes, and no.In fact, Rockstar Games was so serious about this game they really marketed it on the net and in game magazines.They were dead serious about it. And when you play Rockstar's Table Tennis, you'll see that too.While it's not a system seller, or a game that is going to revolutionize the sports genre, Table Tennis is not only solid, but authentic! This isn't an Xbox Live Arcade level game. And it's on shelves for $39.99, which is a relief from the usual $59.99 games. The question I pose is this: Is a Table Tennis game worth even a discounted price of $40?Well, Rockstar makes a heck of a case for it with a very solid game. And no, you're not playing against hookers, and armed Mafia gunmen aren't going to jump out from the stands with machine guns and start shooting at you. It's just Table Tennis.

Ok, some quick basics about Rockstar's Table Tennis.The game modes here unfortunately are pretty bare, and that has a little bit of impact on the game overall, but not a lot. There are 11 playable characters in the game; 7 men, 4 women.They come from all around the world; Japan, Germany, USA, Sweden, Brazil, and more.Each player has their own distinctive attributes and gameplay.Some are faster than others, some more powerful, some with more spin they can put on the ball.Who you choose to play with can be as important as the gameplay itself.There are only a couple of players at the beginning to chose from, and the rest you unlock by playing through the game.It seems like you unlock characters based on winning total number of games, but you also unlock them through playing offline tournaments.There are three tournaments to play with different difficulties. There is also an exhibition mode with three levels of difficulty. There's no create-a-player, nor is there a career mode; two things that a game like this should absolutely have.

There is some basic online play as well, and that's a given now with Xbox 360 games.And this game makes use of the 360's Spectator mode in it's "Table Tennis Network".In fact, you get achievement points for watching a match online.Then of course you have your ranked and non-ranked matches. The only problem with playing online is that there is no lobby system.Once you're game is done you're thrown back into the main area where you have to look for another game, or wait for another invite if you want to play the same person.You should have the ability to keep the room open to play another match. But that's minor.

What is amazing about Table Tennis is it's complete attention to the detail of the actual game.I played a lot of ping-pong in college.I am in no way, shape, or form, an expert or a tournament player.I played a lot for fun.But I did learn how to put spin on the ball, how to make drop shots, and how to take a step back from the table in order to really fire up my volleys.So I felt like I was a little more more than just a casual player.So I recognize the authenticity of Rockstar's physics engine they put in this game to make it feel and play realistic.In fact, I have to say this really is as authentic a game in regards to ball physics that I think I've ever seen.It's one of the reasons I am highly hooked on the game.Table Tennis as a sport is all about power and spin.In order for a player to dominate his opponent in Table Tennis, they have to master being able to put high amounts of spin on the ball so that when the ball hits the table it veers in that direction so sharply that the opponent either mis-places his paddle to where he can't effectively return the ball, or with the addition of power, simply can't react fast enough to get the paddle to the ball.The better your accuracy on the table, and the better your spin ability is, the better player you are going to be.It's a small table, but it's a big game. And I can't stress enough how impressed I am in the way Rockstar was able to capture that.The reality is that no volley will ever truly be the same. Just like in real life, you can place that shot that just grazes the table so that it still counts, but it never actually bounces.And yes, you can even hit the net with so much power and spin that a sure dead ball would actually "scoot" over and bounce on your opponent's side.I've seen that a couple times.But everything about the real sport is here, including high speed volleys, overhand slams, side-of-the-table saves, pop-ups, and every once in a blue moon a headfirst dive.That doesn't happen often.

The other thing that Rockstar did very well with their Table Tennis game was make the controls super-easy to learn, but challenging to master. And they give you two ways to play;letting you really pick your own style.Much like a regular Tennis video game, buttons have different shot types.With Table Tennis it's all about spin, and the amount of spin and power you want to put on the ball.You have topspin, backspin, leftspin, and rightspin.I am assuming I don't have to explain to you what each does?I'll say this, if you want the ball to slow down when it hits the opponents side, you use backspin.If you want to hit a real power shot, use topspin.So, you can do one of two things here.Each face button controls a spin, and if you look at the face buttons, you'll be able to tell which does what (A is backspin, Y is topspin, etc:).OR, you can use the right analog stick in the direction of the spin you want to put on the ball (up for top, down for back, etc:). As you might imagine, using the right stick is more challenging than the face buttons.But for some reason for me it seems more natural.I used them both, and I just preferred to use the stick.It just feels right.But you have the choice. Now the left stick moves your player around the table, but you also use the left stick to aim your shot.The longer you hold the spin stick or button, the more your ball will react in that direction; like pre-loading your shot.While you're doing that, using the left stick will stop your players movement and aims your ball.The longer you hold the left stick for aiming, the closer to the edge of the table you'll go.But too much and you'll hit the ball out of bounds or into the net; so be careful. If you're looking for a safe shot, simply don't use the left stick at all.

What makes Table Tennis so fun is that you get to focus on the table itself, and not running all over a court trying to return a ball.For the most part, you don't move a whole lot in the game; you stay fairly centric to the table.But when the time is right, you will begin to move your player around a little, getting into a corner, or stepping back to play longer volleys. And sometimes it's to play defensive as well when you have to go get a shot.But when you get to a point where you have to move around a lot and you want to sort of calm the game down a bit, or if you want to get that little extra oopmh in there to get your opponent out of position for a killshot, there are some extra controls you can use.The left bumper gives you a nice soft drop shot that has no spin, and no power.It's just designed to easily get the ball over the net so you can race back into your main position.It helps if it looks like you're about to get crushed.And if your opponent is far back from the table, dropping the ball in there could catch them off-guard and unable to return the ball.Now for the opposite when you want to get that little extra spin or power on the ball to maybe force your opponent to cover a deep corner, or do have to as I like to call "Tron Disc Block" the ball (holding the paddle like a shield) which can pop the ball up into the air for you to slam down, the right bumper is a focus shot.And with a focus shot you have a focus meter.The better you play and the longer your volleys, the more your focus meter fills.As you use focus shots, the meter depletes of course. If you are totally in focus and your focus meter starts to flash, you can get into a "full-focus" mode, where all your shots temporarily have that little extra spin and power to them.And your player will react a little faster as well.If you really want to see something cool, watch what happens when both you and your opponent go into full-focus mode.It's like the tournament scene in Forrest Gump.The screen around you gets dark and the crowd noise silences.All you see is the table, ball, and your opponent; and all you hear is the sound of the ball hitting the table and paddles.First one to flinch!

Now, I only have one complaint about the gameplay, and that is the computer AI.One would think with the power of the Xbox 360, AI in a sports game would improve. Not so here.I don't mind a competitive computer opponent.I can't always jump online, and if I want to get my achievements and Gamerscore points, I have to play the offline tourneys.But why is it that in every sports game, at some point the computer just decides enough is enough, and totally obliterates you?I could be playing the medium tournament and come up against...Read more›

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Product Description:
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis is a groundbreaking, next-generation sports experience. Enjoy incredible speed, fluid control and depth of play in this amazing new table tennis simulator. Unmatched intensity of the real-life sport, with authentic physics and intuitive gameplay that mimics the experience of true international table tennis competition.

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