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Virtual Open Tennis
"There is fault in the serving"
Trying to expand my collection of Sega Saturn, I have been getting games other than fighting and arcade versions. I have added puzzle, strategy and sports. I saw this game at a Toys R Us store the year after Saturn's demise, selling at at $8. It said on the box, ''a recommended addition to your Saturn sports library--Game Fan Magazine.'' After buying and playing it a few times, I wonder on whoever quoted that was paid to write that or he realized that it's only one of the two tennis games for the Saturn, because I'm having trouble excepting that.
You get to pick 10 players, all male and all fictional. Then you choose 3 modes of play, Exhibition, championship and training. You also have 3 sets of courts (clay, pavement or grass), single or double teams and in depth stats. The scoring is the same as is real tennis. Win 6 games or more and receive a set score. Get enough sets to win the tournament. The only problem I have is when there is a tie or a ''deuce'', you have to win twice straight in a row to break it. If your opponent wins one after your first win, it's a tie again. Challenging, but unnecessary stretches the game and wish there is an option not to have it.
The graphics are fabulous, but there is minor fault. There are 8 camera shots. Two are close up, but limits the view of the area. There are far shots, but make the players small, but not enough that you need a bigger monitor. The animation on the players are great, but a bit limited, like when the scene moves or rotates very fast, the polygons don't follow up closely and it causes minor distortions on where the ball is going. Other than that, the movement is smooth and there are no loading delays during gameplay.
The sound is realistic in the tennis match. There is a limited grunts and shouts for the players who serve and smash. There are also background music during gameplay. You can choose 5 tunes, which makes the game exciting, IMO, but you can turn it off if it's distract you. There are 11 tracks that you can listen to and all the music are unique and upbeat, although three of them are repetitive.
The gameplay gave me the most trouble. They made it realistic and thus, very difficult. If I wanted realism, I would have actually play tennis than the video game version. They used all six buttons to hit the ball. The top three for lobs, the bottom for stokes with slice, top-spin and flat on each of the buttons. That's too much to remember and to get a handle on. The controls need work, because it's hard setting the direction on where you want the ball to go. Fortunately, there is a practice that can help you get better. There is also replay, but it's very short and you can't control on how to see it. No save feature as well.
Overall, the graphics and sound are great, but you have to be a pro in order to play against the AI, and even if you are, you would have trouble playing. This is good if you have three friends to play doubles, but not playing alone. There are only two tennis games for the Saturn, both published by Acclaim. The other is called Break Point Tennis. I haven't played it, so I can't tell which two are better. Rent it, if you can. If you like it and can get it under $8, go for it.
Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/06/02, Updated 04/06/02
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