Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Best match I've ever had for sure. I'm in the middle of my first Master's tournament playing on very hard. I beat Illic in the first round and just beat James Blake in the 2nd round to advance to the Quarter Finals.

He destroyed me the first set, winning 3-6, and I barely even scored a point in the 6 games he won. From the 2nd set on, I realized that his backhand is far weaker than his forehand and just attacked and attacked it and made me run back and forth a lot so that he couldn't put all of his power behind his shots. I ended up winning the 2nd set 6-4, took a 5-3 lead in the 3rd set, but he came back and tied it up at 5-5. I won the next game, but he won the game after that, forcing a tie breaker, where he got off to a 2-0 lead. But I rallied from behind and ended up winning it 7-4 thanks to an unforced error to end the match.

Only 6 aces between us (I had 4, he had 2). We each had 1 double fault. I had 63 winners and 92 total points. He had 67 winners and 97 total points, but I was able to win anyway. Wow. I haven't been this excited playing a video game in a long time.

Note: I face Djokovic in the quarter finals. I'm not expecting much at all after how much I struggled with Blake, I'm thinking Djokovic is going to wipe the floor with me.

[DisIsDaGame]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Gamespot just rated this game a 9. Do you guys seriously think it deserves a 9? I have this game and I feel like a 9 is too high. I'll give it a 7.5 or an 8 max. Graphics isn't much of an improvement in my opinion but gameplay feels alot smoother than TS3.

[The Visualizer]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Gamespot just rated this game a 9. Do you guys seriously think it deserves a 9? I have this game and I feel like a 9 is too high. I'll give it a 7.5 or an 8 max. Graphics isn't much of an improvement in my opinion but gameplay feels alot smoother than TS3.

I stopped putting stock in reviews a long time ago. Most websites have agendas or broken scales anyway. It's much better to look for hands-on impressions from multiple viewpoints such as this very thread if you are on the fence about buying a game.

In my opinion I don't think it has the depth necessary to rate it a 9 out 10. There are a good number of things missing from the game. The gameplay is fantastic though, and I think it's easily the best tennis game ever made and that's all that really matters to me, I was pretty much sold just by playing a few matches in the demo.

[Seymour Scagnetti]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Best match I've ever had for sure. I'm in the middle of my first Master's tournament playing on very hard. I beat Illic in the first round and just beat James Blake in the 2nd round to advance to the Quarter Finals.

He destroyed me the first set, winning 3-6, and I barely even scored a point in the 6 games he won. From the 2nd set on, I realized that his backhand is far weaker than his forehand and just attacked and attacked it and made me run back and forth a lot so that he couldn't put all of his power behind his shots. I ended up winning the 2nd set 6-4, took a 5-3 lead in the 3rd set, but he came back and tied it up at 5-5. I won the next game, but he won the game after that, forcing a tie breaker, where he got off to a 2-0 lead. But I rallied from behind and ended up winning it 7-4 thanks to an unforced error to end the match.

Only 6 aces between us (I had 4, he had 2). We each had 1 double fault. I had 63 winners and 92 total points. He had 67 winners and 97 total points, but I was able to win anyway. Wow. I haven't been this excited playing a video game in a long time.

Note: I face Djokovic in the quarter finals. I'm not expecting much at all after how much I struggled with Blake, I'm thinking Djokovic is going to wipe the floor with me.

Novak is impossible to beat for me. The guy's backhand and forehand are both strong and he seems to get to everything and can return serves pretty well too. He's the only pro I have yet to beat and haven't come close to doing it.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Novak is impossible to beat for me. The guy's backhand and forehand are both strong and he seems to get to everything and can return serves pretty well too. He's the only pro I have yet to beat and haven't come close to doing it.

Great lol now my confidence is just oozing.

[Seymour Scagnetti]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Great lol now my confidence is just oozing.

Well at least it is true to life as Novak is currently the best player in real life right now.

If you can beat this guy please tell me how you did it because all the strategy I've tried has not worked. He seems to have no weakness. It's gotten to the point with me that I think I have a mental block because everytime I play him I seem to get sloppy and rush my shots. And I always seem to draw him every tourney by the quarterfinals. I'm losing 6-2 or 6-3 everytime. Haven't come close to winning a set.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Well at least it is true to life as Novak is currently the best player in real life right now.

If you can beat this guy please tell me how you did it because all the strategy I've tried has not worked. He seems to have no weakness. It's gotten to the point with me that I think I have a mental block because everytime I play him I seem to get sloppy and rush my shots. And I always seem to draw him every tourney by the quarterfinals. I'm losing 6-2 or 6-3 everytime. Haven't come close to winning a set.

I won. I cannot believe it. I lost the first set 0-6 and only had 15 points the entire set to his 30. Then I was down 2-5 in the 2nd set and he had match point. I then won the next 6 games, winning the 2nd set 7-5 and getting off to a 1-0 lead in the 3rd set. He ended up answering by winning the 2nd game, but I won the last 5 games to win it 0-6 7-5 6-1. I still can't believe it. He had 26 errors (10 unforced) and I outscored him 89-83 in total points.

My strategy was simple but a lot harder to execute but I ended up making it work. I served out wide when I was on the right and served inside when I was on the left. When he was serving, I top spun or sliced for the return down the line and would hit a top spin shot to the front corner cross court (for example, if I'm hitting it from the left, I aimed the top spin shot down and to the right). This got Djokovic to have to go out wide and inch up a little bit and then I would slice it back the other way. If he was able to return that, I would try to do a power shot back the other way because he usually returned it pretty weakly.

Wow, that was intense.

Note: The coach I use gives me Top Spin Invasion and Poisoned Slices.

Note x2: I'm now 28-1 in my career and I face Davydenko in the Finals.

[Seymour Scagnetti]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

I won. I cannot believe it. I lost the first set 0-6 and only had 15 points the entire set to his 30. Then I was down 2-5 in the 2nd set and he had match point. I then won the next 6 games, winning the 2nd set 7-5 and getting off to a 1-0 lead in the 3rd set. He ended up answering by winning the 2nd game, but I won the last 5 games to win it 0-6 7-5 6-1. I still can't believe it. He had 26 errors (10 unforced) and I outscored him 89-83 in total points.

My strategy was simple but a lot harder to execute but I ended up making it work. I served out wide when I was on the right and served inside when I was on the left. When he was serving, I top spun or sliced for the return down the line and would hit a top spin shot to the front corner cross court (for example, if I'm hitting it from the left, I aimed the top spin shot down and to the right). This got Djokovic to have to go out wide and inch up a little bit and then I would slice it back the other way. If he was able to return that, I would try to do a power shot back the other way because he usually returned it pretty weakly.

Wow, that was intense.

Note: The coach I use gives me Top Spin Invasion and Poisoned Slices.

Note x2: I'm now 28-1 in my career and I face Davydenko in the Finals.

Good stuff. Quite the comeback. Maybe the one weakness he has is mental (like in real life) because it is mentioned in the game notes that he is volatile and can lose his mental edge or something like that.

I do recall having a few runs of winning 7 or 8 points in a row as he made all these unforced errors but then he would get back on track. It did seem like he got flustered, just like in real life, for awhile and in your case it seems like he had a complete meltdown if 26 errors is any indication, which is pretty cool.

If that mental breakdown is actually something programmed by the devs then hands down this is the best AI is sports gaming history.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Good stuff. Quite the comeback. Maybe the one weakness he has is mental (like in real life) because it is mentioned in the game notes that he is volatile and can lose his mental edge or something like that.

I do recall having a few runs of winning 7 or 8 points in a row as he made all these unforced errors but then he would get back on track. It did seem like he got flustered, just like in real life, for awhile and in your case it seems like he had a complete meltdown if 26 errors is any indication, which is pretty cool.

If that mental breakdown is actually something programmed by the devs then hands down this is the best AI is sports gaming history.

I still can't believe I pulled that off. That was a match for the ages right there.

[Seymour Scagnetti]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

I still can't believe I pulled that off. That was a match for the ages right there.

You must have inspired me. Just met Novak in the finals of the Monte Carlo Open and I beat him too but boy was it intense and I was grinding my teeth the whole time.

As usual I lost the 1st set 6-3. All he did was break me once and I was toast because I have yet to break this guy. I was ready to toss my controller but then in the 2nd set I break him to start but then he breaks me right back and we go toe to toe until it's 5-5 and then I break him again and barely hold on to my serve and win 7-5. Almost every game in that set went to multiple dueces.

In the 3rd Noval started piling up the unforced errors. Best part was he tried rushing the net a couple of times out of the blue but to no avail. Great AI programming on that part. It was almost like he was deflated for losing the 2nd set and he made more errors in the 3rd set than the other 2 combined and I won 6-3 and let a nice yell because after 4 tries I finally got him. One more tourney win and I get to play some grand slams because Novak was always in my way in trying to win thjose major tourneys and would send me packing. It will be real fun playing Novak and Nadal in 3\5 sets because those guys are the hardest to play.

I swear the AI is programmed to get deflated after a tough set loss and vice versa or at least Novak is and that's simply amazing.

I don't think enough has been made about the in game animations. When Novak rushed to the net on one shot and I blew one past him, he started shaking his head in disgust but it was in the context of the point and not a cutscene. That effect really immerses you in the match.

The only thing I don't like is after winning the Monte Carlo I thought there might be a trophy presentation but it was the same cutscenes as the other tourneys, I hope winning a Grand Slam is different.

[Methlab]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Novak is impossible to beat for me. The guy's backhand and forehand are both strong and he seems to get to everything and can return serves pretty well too. He's the only pro I have yet to beat and haven't come close to doing it.

I beat him with Blake on hard. It was one of the funnest matches I have had against the AI, and it was really just a warm up match. He crushed me in the first set, I came back and took the second, and the third had him making some UE's that basically killed him.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

You must have inspired me. Just met Novak in the finals of the Monte Carlo Open and I beat him too but boy was it intense and I was grinding my teeth the whole time.

As usual I lost the 1st set 6-3. All he did was break me once and I was toast because I have yet to break this guy. I was ready to toss my controller but then in the 2nd set I break him to start but then he breaks me right back and we go toe to toe until it's 5-5 and then I break him again and barely hold on to my serve and win 7-5. Almost every game in that set went to multiple dueces.

In the 3rd Noval started piling up the unforced errors. Best part was he tried rushing the net a couple of times out of the blue but to no avail. Great AI programming on that part. It was almost like he was deflated for losing the 2nd set and he made more errors in the 3rd set than the other 2 combined and I won 6-3 and let a nice yell because after 4 tries I finally got him. One more tourney win and I get to play some grand slams because Novak was always in my way in trying to win thjose major tourneys and would send me packing. It will be real fun playing Novak and Nadal in 3\5 sets because those guys are the hardest to play.

I swear the AI is programmed to get deflated after a tough set loss and vice versa or at least Novak is and that's simply amazing.

I don't think enough has been made about the in game animations. When Novak rushed to the net on one shot and I blew one past him, he started shaking his head in disgust but it was in the context of the point and not a cutscene. That effect really immerses you in the match.

The only thing I don't like is after winning the Monte Carlo I thought there might be a trophy presentation but it was the same cutscenes as the other tourneys, I hope winning a Grand Slam is different.

I'm pretty sure there's a trophy presentation when you win a grand slam.

Also, update on my BNP Paribas Final or whatever it's called, I'm killing Davydenko in the Finals. He's just too slow.

Update: Destroyed Davydenko 6-1 6-0 in the Final to win my first Masters tournament. Gonna play the Sony Ericcson Open next. Looking at the Bracket, I have a match against a Level 15 guy from GBR but he's a great serve and volley guy which I generally struggle with (my only loss was to a serve and volley guy), followed by a match against Bernard Tomic assuming he wins his first match. If I reach the Semi-Finals, I might have a rematch with Davydenko. And I see Roger Federer is on the other side who just took over the #1 spot in the world so I'm pretty petrified about having to face him if I make it to the Finals again.

[Seymour Scagnetti]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

I'm pretty sure there's a trophy presentation when you win a grand slam.

Also, update on my BNP Paribas Final or whatever it's called, I'm killing Davydenko in the Finals. He's just too slow.

Update: Destroyed Davydenko 6-1 6-0 in the Final to win my first Masters tournament. Gonna play the Sony Ericcson Open next. Looking at the Bracket, I have a match against a Level 15 guy from GBR but he's a great serve and volley guy which I generally struggle with (my only loss was to a serve and volley guy), followed by a match against Bernard Tomic assuming he wins his first match. If I reach the Semi-Finals, I might have a rematch with Davydenko. And I see Roger Federer is on the other side who just took over the #1 spot in the world so I'm pretty petrified about having to face him if I make it to the Finals again.

I take it that you haven't played Federer yet because he's not that tough. I have yet to lose to him in 3 tries, although I did lose a set to him once. Just keep it away from his forehand and you should win in straight sets. His serve and power are understated in this game as Federer has one of the best serves in the game. He's not the hardest server but he's puts the most spin on it and is deadly accurate with it.

The only guys that have given me trouble are Novak, Nadal, Blake and Murray. Actually the last 2 guys might even be easier now since I haven't played them in awhile and I think I've gotten better since then.

One weird thing I have found is I have won every single tiebreaker I've been in which is about a dozen of them. It's either my intestinal fortitude that's the reason or maybe the AI lays off a bit in tiebreakers.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

Question regarding Career Mode:

I remember going through all the stats before and it told me that I was like 5-0 on hard surfaces, 3-1 on clay, 4-0 on grass, etc. but I can't remember where I saw that anymore. Could someone point me in the right direction.

[LorenzoDC]

Re: Top Spin 4 Impressions/Questions Thread

I take it that you haven't played Federer yet because he's not that tough. I have yet to lose to him in 3 tries, although I did lose a set to him once. Just keep it away from his forehand and you should win in straight sets. His serve and power are understated in this game as Federer has one of the best serves in the game. He's not the hardest server but he's puts the most spin on it and is deadly accurate with it.

The only guys that have given me trouble are Novak, Nadal, Blake and Murray. Actually the last 2 guys might even be easier now since I haven't played them in awhile and I think I've gotten better since then.

One weird thing I have found is I have won every single tiebreaker I've been in which is about a dozen of them. It's either my intestinal fortitude that's the reason or maybe the AI lays off a bit in tiebreakers.

I don't know how you guys do it.

Normal difficulty is cheese for me, too easy. But I can't win on hard. If my timing is off for one shot out of five, it seems that's enough for me to get creamed. And the good to perfect shots get returned most of the time, no matter the placement.

I've been practicing on hard against Federer in exhibition mode, and I've gotten to where I can mostly lose a set by just one break, and I think I've won maybe three sets out of a total of maybe thirty.

Is everyone's timing perfect when you win consistently on hard? Do you always have near perfect placement as well, near the lines or deep?

I'm playing with a level 20 offensive baseliner with FH 77, BH 77, SRV 77, VOL 45, POW 82, STA 79, SPE 56 and REF 52. I have skills at crushing passing shot and instant rocket.

Here are some places where I know I can improve: hitting the corners with good+ timing on serves, more consistent depth to the right handed opponent's forehand court during rallies, more effectively mixing in flat shots with good timing to take advantage of the player's power and ground strokes. I also know I suck at lobs and drop shots.

I feel like I could work on all those things and whatever else I figure out I need to do, though with all my practice, I'm getting a little discouraged.

On the one hand, a bunch of guys on here seem to be able to play consistently well on hard difficulty, but then again, if it takes me forever and it stops being fun in the meantime, I dunno if I want to keep at it.

And wouldn't you know it, I'm facing Novak in the Semis in the French next. I'm stuck with a career setting where sets are 3 games, and I've been winning one game in two sets when I try to play him. I know he's a beast, but I'd feel better if I could at least feel like I'm competing. I do see how he's prone to mini error streaks (seems like that the only time I win, on unforced errors, not many winners from me).

Ok, rant over. I don't want to play Madden again ferchissakes, so someone please talk me off the ledge!