As it prepares to be officially released this Wednesday, on PC, PlayStation and Xbox (at €59.99), Top Spin 2K25 will inevitably be closely scrutinized. The latest game from 2K Sports and Hangar 13 marks the great return of the most famous tennis sagas, thirteen years after the last episode. Although it is not yet assured of sales success, in a difficult market, the publisher is delivering one of the most successful simulations in recent years, while retaining the elements that made it successful.
Over time, Top Spin had built its reputation on its demanding handling and the quality of its gameplay, which gave virtual matches attributes close to those of the ATP circuit. This is still the case with this new version: it is important to hit shots at the right time, to be well positioned in relation to the ball, to be able to hit the best shots. The exchanges are thus very varied and are not limited to on-the-fly climbs to conclude the points.
With John McEnroe’s incessant comments, progression within the TopSpin Academy, a rather successful tutorial, is therefore demanding but rewarding. If the sensations are rather good with the controller in hand, the challenge for the game will now be to keep the flame alive, so that the enthusiasm does not dry up a few days after its release.
Online ranking available
Top Spin relies on its different modes for this: a Career allowing you to embody your avatar on the ATP circuit, in search of world No. 1, but above all 2KTour and World Tour, the online modes to face players with all four corners of the world. The presence of a global leader board could even give the game a competitive future. Players will also be motivated by the Center Court Pass, a seasonal reward system, which will push them to complete several challenges each “Season” to earn cosmetic rewards .
As for the content, Top Spin 2K25 is not as comprehensive as TieBreak, the official simulation of the ATP and the WTA signed Nacon, but still has 48 courts, including most of the major tournaments on the circuit, and around thirty renowned players playable… Some of whom are directly identifiable by their gestures, developed in motion capture. But players should quickly prefer to use their avatars, which are fully customizable.
Despite these obvious qualities, the newcomer of the Top Spin still suffers graphically, especially in the cutscenes, where the players’ faces appear very frozen. The whole thing is therefore a little old-fashioned and the atmosphere on the courts, far from being boiling, falls short of the tension created by the matches… But fans from the start should easily be able to get past it.