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MMChrisS · 05-31-2012, 10:19 AM

For many people, EA Sports and sports video gaming are pretty much synonymous. But as its competitors continue to wither away, it’s worth noting that EA isn’t infallible. NBA Elite was the studio’s highest-profile recent failure, of course. But even the EA Sports games that actually make it into stores don’t always dominate the market. Let’s take a look at a recent EA release that, at this point, hasn’t done so well: Grand Slam Tennis 2.

Read More - Grand Slam Tennis 2 - What Went Wrong?

number1thumbs · 05-31-2012, 10:50 AM

it was unfinished with very little substance...glad to see it was a flop for EA

it's like the guy who walks on the court with all the new high-tech, expensive equipment but does not know how to hit the ball

rangerrick012 · 05-31-2012, 11:58 AM

This game had so much promise, with ESPN presentation and the Wimbledon licensing it definitely could have found a place in the market. Unfortunately the demo showed that the game had plenty of flaws that weren't capable of being fixed (namely guys like Nadal and Murray who are known for having 2 handed backhands hitting 1HBH regularly) which took the realism out of it for most tennis fans I knew who were looking forward to it. That and the lack of errors and overall wonky gameplay mechanics made it hard to get into it.

There was potential there, like the Total Racquet Control which was a good idea and actually not implemented that badly, but all in all it fell well short of the bar that TS4 had set.

bigdoc85 · 05-31-2012, 12:37 PM

Top Spin 4 beat Grand Slam Tennis 2 to market and without substantial improvements and distinctions from that game, this was doomed from release. EA should have learned from the NBA Elite / 2k 11 situation and put this on the shelf for a couple of years until everyone was anxiously awaiting its release.

Dazraz · 05-31-2012, 01:16 PM

GST2 has some questionable AI & a dumb career mode but at least it caters for Offline Multiplayer with in built tournaments. I really can't understand why 2K completely overlook this part of their Top Spin series. It's for this reason alone I go with EA's game.

rangerrick012 · 05-31-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazraz


	GST2 has some questionable AI & a dumb career mode but at least it caters for Offline Multiplayer with in built tournaments. I really can't understand why 2K completely overlook this part of their Top Spin series. It's for this reason alone I go with EA's game.

Gameplay doesn't matter at all? Just one missing feature? Honest question.

rman · 05-31-2012, 11:12 PM

Wow! Top Spin out sold MLB The Show..crazy.

taiketsu · 06-01-2012, 03:18 AM

I'm a big tennis fan and avid player so I really wanted to like this game, but that also prevented me from liking this game. The problem is that GST2 was designed as an arcade game to appeal to the masses so it was destined to be shallow.

I prefer Top Spin 4 as it plays more simulation, and there's a TON of hidden depth once you play at a higher level online. TS4 is the first tennis game where I feel my tennis knowledge was put to use. The game still has a couple small issues, but it really is the best tennis gameplay I've seen on consoles.

ps3veron · 06-01-2012, 05:01 AM

Well said folks, this game had amazing potential. As much as I like TS4, EA added quite a few presentation notches. We're talking ESPN commentary, official licenses and I for one loved the idea of that racket swing.

I still own the game and play it from time to time. Problem is, IMO it feels a little on the arcade side.

Not such a bad thing considering how much fun it can be but I would have loved a little bit more depth.

I'll say this though, EA's online is much better than 2Ks on this game. I don't know but I still really like this title.

Mos1ted · 06-01-2012, 06:22 AM

I don't currently own a tennis game, but Top Spin 4 has been on my radar for months. I just have a hard time finding a pre-owned copy where I live.

I was actually looking forward to Grand Slam Tennis 2, but given EA's mass appeal approach to the vast majority of its games, I knew that GST2 wouldn't hold my interest in the longterm. This day in age, I'm only interested in buying games that I can play and enjoy for months down the road.

I'm hoping EA sees this as a sign that trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator isn't always a good strategy, especially in a sport that isn't mainstream to begin with.

05-31-2012, 10:50 AM	#2
number1thumbs Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Jan 2011	it was unfinished with very little substance...glad to see it was a flop for EA it's like the guy who walks on the court with all the new high-tech, expensive equipment but does not know how to hit the ball

05-31-2012, 11:58 AM	#3
rangerrick012 Mr. Tony OVR: 42 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 5,454 Blog Entries: 6	This game had so much promise, with ESPN presentation and the Wimbledon licensing it definitely could have found a place in the market. Unfortunately the demo showed that the game had plenty of flaws that weren't capable of being fixed (namely guys like Nadal and Murray who are known for having 2 handed backhands hitting 1HBH regularly) which took the realism out of it for most tennis fans I knew who were looking forward to it. That and the lack of errors and overall wonky gameplay mechanics made it hard to get into it. There was potential there, like the Total Racquet Control which was a good idea and actually not implemented that badly, but all in all it fell well short of the bar that TS4 had set.

05-31-2012, 12:37 PM	#4
bigdoc85 Pro OVR: 22 Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 657 Blog Entries: 8	Top Spin 4 beat Grand Slam Tennis 2 to market and without substantial improvements and distinctions from that game, this was doomed from release. EA should have learned from the NBA Elite / 2k 11 situation and put this on the shelf for a couple of years until everyone was anxiously awaiting its release.

05-31-2012, 01:16 PM	#5
Dazraz Rookie OVR: 32 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kent, UK Blog Entries: 35	GST2 has some questionable AI & a dumb career mode but at least it caters for Offline Multiplayer with in built tournaments. I really can't understand why 2K completely overlook this part of their Top Spin series. It's for this reason alone I go with EA's game.

05-31-2012, 11:12 PM	#7
rman Rookie OVR: 4 Join Date: Jul 2002	Wow! Top Spin out sold MLB The Show..crazy.

06-01-2012, 03:18 AM	#8
taiketsu Rookie OVR: 5 Join Date: Feb 2006	I'm a big tennis fan and avid player so I really wanted to like this game, but that also prevented me from liking this game. The problem is that GST2 was designed as an arcade game to appeal to the masses so it was destined to be shallow. I prefer Top Spin 4 as it plays more simulation, and there's a TON of hidden depth once you play at a higher level online. TS4 is the first tennis game where I feel my tennis knowledge was put to use. The game still has a couple small issues, but it really is the best tennis gameplay I've seen on consoles.

06-01-2012, 05:01 AM	#9
ps3veron Pro OVR: 11 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Esterbrook	Well said folks, this game had amazing potential. As much as I like TS4, EA added quite a few presentation notches. We're talking ESPN commentary, official licenses and I for one loved the idea of that racket swing. I still own the game and play it from time to time. Problem is, IMO it feels a little on the arcade side. Not such a bad thing considering how much fun it can be but I would have loved a little bit more depth. I'll say this though, EA's online is much better than 2Ks on this game. I don't know but I still really like this title.

06-01-2012, 06:22 AM	#10
Mos1ted MVP OVR: 21 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Blog Entries: 6	I don't currently own a tennis game, but Top Spin 4 has been on my radar for months. I just have a hard time finding a pre-owned copy where I live. I was actually looking forward to Grand Slam Tennis 2, but given EA's mass appeal approach to the vast majority of its games, I knew that GST2 wouldn't hold my interest in the longterm. This day in age, I'm only interested in buying games that I can play and enjoy for months down the road. I'm hoping EA sees this as a sign that trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator isn't always a good strategy, especially in a sport that isn't mainstream to begin with.