It's been 13 years since PlayStation fans got their hands on the digital putter in the TopSpin series. In that time, we've jumped two console generations, and the industry has seen a massive shift toward a live-service model. All together, what does this mean for the series' return in TopSpin 2K25? Obviously there are good things, as Hangar 13 has cooked up a fun, dazzling and addictive tennis game that you will enjoy playing with and love Mastery.
TopSpin 2K25 is a confident reintroduction to this long-dormant series, and we're happy to see it standing alongside the likes of the NBA and PGA series. If you've played a 2K Sports game before, you'll roughly know what you're getting into in terms of single-player and online content – but thankfully, TopSpin stands out from the crowd with an exciting learning curve.
The truth is that we're not very good at TopSpin 2K25, or at least that was the case when we first played it. Strut in a match with our Pure Xbox Colleagues, we assumed that running the preview would be enough to propel us to victory. However, after a stunning defeat – six sets to zero – we enrolled in the TopSpin Academy, the coaching style in the game articulated by none other than tennis legend John McEnroe.
We struggle to think of a game with tutorials that feel quite as mandatory as the ones in TopSpin 2K25, and we don't mean that as a criticism. We are sure that if you are familiar with the Top Spin 4 courts, it will be easier for you to adapt. However, if you are new to the series, you will need these lessons. We even found ourselves paying close attention despite McEnroe's lackluster delivery.
After we graduated from TopSpin Academy, we hit the courts as our brightly designed MyPlayer character. Here you'll learn about the game's timing system, which classifies your volleys as “too early,” “good,” “excellent,” and “too late.” Combined with the need for strategy, positioning, and types of volley, our work hours are similar rocky Training Montage – Facing defeat over and over again, but persevering nonetheless.
That's the magic of TopSpin 2K25 truly It's a very fun game to learn, and it feels even more satisfying when you finally start creating your own play style. Once previously unbeatable tennis stars become equal competitors, the game shines, and thanks to DualSense haptics, well-timed hitting never gets old.
Of course, learning the game is just the beginning. Through MyCareer mode, which essentially acts as a single-player campaign, you'll be able to level up your player, performing more advanced training exercises and facing more difficult opponents in tournaments. Playing through this campaign will earn you points to spend in-game, cosmetic items, new stadiums and stadium variants, as well as XP to level up your character.
Leveling up, a noticeably slow process, allows you to apply points to specific items like your shot or serve, and since you can create multiple characters, you're essentially able to create different builds. Maybe you want a player who can throw tennis balls at their opponent very quickly, or maybe you prefer a smarter player who can beat them easily. With every focus point comes a new style of play, and with this also applied to players on the other side of the net, matches always feel dynamic.
It certainly helps that the game's AI is excellent, adapting brilliantly to the flawless animation system. Playing between different tennis stars, you'll notice different playing styles and even animation styles – with the likes of Serena Williams and Roger Federer bringing their own extremes. This means you'll have to approach each opponent a little differently, and you'll love knowing how best to manipulate them on the field.
It all adds up to a wonderful visual vibrancy, which feels more lifelike when you're in the middle of a match. Things get a little doubtful when we move to match times. Admittedly, some of the key talent looks great – with Williams among a few others being well captured. But players like Andy Murray are either completely unrecognizable or look a bit strange. There's definitely a hand from the uncanny valley at play in TopSpin 2K25, which is a shame because Most Right now it looks incredibly sharp – along with running at a steady 60fps on PS5.
Once you reach a skill level that you are satisfied with, you may want to move on to online game offerings. TopSpin 2K25 has three online options: Online Exhibition, World Tour, and 2K Tour. These modes allow you to choose the type of online experience you're looking for, whether that's casual matches in Online Exhibition, or ranked matches between professionals in 2K Tour. No matter the mode, TopSpin 2K25 easily carries over this dynamic essence to multiplayer, and in some ways actually amplifies it.
Playing with real-world players adds a spark of unpredictability that can make matches more fun – as long as you both have a strong connection. In our experience, if both have a good connection, matches are seamless from offline modes, but if one player is missing, it can lead to a really slow experience that often results in unfair wins or losses.
We can really see ourselves playing away late into the night with friends. 2K25 has a fun and casual atmosphere, which is always a lot of fun. However, until the end of May – one month after launch – there will be no option to invite friends, which is a puzzling omission, especially after such a long wait. Until then, you will be matched with two randoms.
So, with all that said, why would you continue to play TopSpin 2K25 in the weeks and months after its release? Well, Hangar 13 promises an extensive post-launch campaign that will bring new players, stadiums, and even songs into the experience. In the here and now, there's a Center Court Pass to work through, which unlocks in-game currency, XP boosts, cosmetic items, and custom animations for your MyPlayer. Fortunately, if you don't want to pour any more money into TopSpin 2K25, all the useful content, like the players and stadiums mentioned above, will be added for free.
Conclusion
TopSpin 2K25 is a confident revival that's worth the 13-year wait. Admittedly, it may not be for everyone, especially with a fairly steep learning curve, but for us, that's what we love about the game. You've inspired us to delve into the core game mechanics and train our way up the ladder. We felt this competitive edge that made us want to perfect our gameplay and eventually show off the MyPlayer, the cosmetics and everything. This is a sports game that can stand proudly alongside its 2K gaming counterparts, and one we're excited to see back in action.
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