Table Tennis Review

Amidst the various genres in gaming, from the sports end, Microsoft is offering Rockstar Games Table Tennis for the Xbox 360 platform. Though the game hasn’t received as much media coverage, traditionally Table Tennis has been a popular game for many Indians as several housing societies as well as colleges have at least one table tennis table. So if you don’t have access to a TT table, this game will quench your thirst to play it.

Graphics:

Realistic! That’s the first thing that came to our mind when we played Table Tennis on the Xbox 360. You can expect to see all your favorite Table Tennis stars looking as though they are playing the game right in front of your eyes. Right here Right Now! And why wouldn’t they, as the game is powered by the same engine that will power the next GTA games.

Game:

Rockstar has done a good job with the game and if you look closely it can give good competition to EA Sports, the reigning champions when it comes to making sports games. This game really has the ability to put you in a temporary trance-like state, as your eyes move back and forth in the same manner as the ping-pong ball moves.

The menu layout is very simple, with very few options. There is the ‘Tournament’ mode in which you can play not just a single game, but three whole sets against your opponent. The ‘Exhibition’ mode allows you to choose between ‘Easy’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Hard’, after which you can play a single game with your opponent.

One might think that Table Tennis does not involve much skill and technique, but on playing Rockstar’s virtual simulation of the game, you will realize otherwise. There are four different types of shots- the topspin, backspin, left spin and right spin. These shots correspond to the four face buttons on the Xbox 360 controller. You can also use the right analog stick to trigger different types of shots. This method might just be a little difficult for noobs.

Here is a great tip: The longer you hold one of the shot buttons down during the ball’s approach, the more power goes into your shot behind the swing. While doing this you can also move the left analog stick during this charge-up period, to influence the direction of the shot.

Initially, the game might be a very simple one, using basic shots, but as you progress, you will gradually learn the amount of moves required which can eventually save you from losing a point in the game. Another awesome feature of Rockstar’s Table Tennis for the Xbox 360, is a very subtle one that makes use of force feedback. Here is how it works. As you charge up your return shot, and while using the left analog stick to aim it, the controller starts to rumble just as your aim gets closer to the edge of the table. This gives you a tactile sense, which kind of warns the player when they need to stop pushing toward the edge. This makes the aiming much more intuitive.

If you feel that you are not very good at playing table tennis, then you can always train yourself to compete against the world’s best by visiting the in-game training center by choosing the ‘Training Mode’. Here you can practice your shots, techniques, and styles. As we mentioned earlier, when you start playing the game, it seems very easy to play, but as you progress, you will realize that a whole new level of finesse and technique is required.

For example, to perform a soft shot, one would have to hold down the left bumper while pressing a spin button. If you use the soft shot, it can take the speed off the ball, and this can cause the ball to drop short when it is returned by your opponent. If you perform the soft shot perfectly, the ball can bounce twice on your opponent’s side of the table. You can even trick your opponent into misjudging the shot. How great is that?

There are eleven table tennis players, who represent very different styles of gameplay. There’s Haley from America, the fabulous Liu Ping from China, Jesper from Sweden and many more. You will have to unlock some of the characters as well. The players are realistic to the core; their eyes are filled with life and emotion, and the movements are so natural. Even as the players move around, their clothes move and sway along in a realistic manner. You can even see the sweat build up on the players, as the game gets more intense, complete with their skin glistening with sweat beads.

However only 4 players are available for play. You’ll have to unlock the other 11.There are quite a few locations to choose like the Chinese National Table Tennis Arena, the Midnight Sun Location and the Liberty Northside Prep. All realistic to the core and they are even packed with crowd who cheer the players on. Just like the players, most of the venues are also locked. This will keep you going for a long, long time.

All in all, we think that it is a wonderful game and it is worth every paisa you pay for it. So go on and play on…oops GAME ON!