Top Spin 3... "the thinking man's tennis title"

yeah, another one I don't quite know what to make of... the eurogamer review makes it sound good (ie slow and deep) but don't know how much time I have to invest in getting good at it

are you picking this up, jeff? could be persuaded by potential MP, altho we're never on at the same time : /

I got it last night (ps3 version though, sorry) but didn't have too much time to play yet. The presentation is very dry, which I kind of like. The gameplay seems fine - it's not exactly pick up and play - but it's not as difficult as some people seem to be making out. Basically the difference seems to be that you hold, then release the return button when you would start your swing. Compared to Virtua Tennis (the only other tennis game I've played in the last year or two at least), it feels more natural, a little slower, more subtle, and positioning seems to be more important (no crazy diving for balls).

I liked reading in the Eurogamer review that they had good experiences with the multiplayer - I haven't tried it out yet, but obviously want to after I've got a little more time in with the game.

It does feel more sim like, and in a way, I'm not sure if there is enough game there to justify a full retail release (there are a lot of court & players though + create a player). The career mode is kind of RPG like, where you slowly build up your character's attributes - which may be a good, slow way to ease oneself into the game, because when I've tried exhibition games with a leveled up pro I've got my ass kicked. It may end up being a grinding drag though.

ok the first page of that review made me break out in an avaricious sweat

xbox 360 demo up now

I got the DS version of this for playing on the train to work and must say it's actually quite enjoyable; would prefer to play those japanese tennis career RPGs but I don't speak japanese and anyway I'm not sure they're any good

this has a nice feel though; would have preferred 2D sprites/fire pro-style visuals over the blocky/grainy 3D nonsense it ships with but you can't have everything

remembered I have top spin 2 on the 360; and have been playing a bunch of the demo

almost think I prefer the physics and feel of TS2 over 3 : /