AO Tennis 2

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 343 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • stability
AO Tennis 2 Game Cover
While there are still plenty of areas AO Tennis 2 needs improvements in, it is still an enjoyable tennis experience. Once you get the hang of the controls, it can be a delight to play in short bursts.
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"AO Tennis 2" is a tennis game that lets you create your own player, courts, and legendary matches using the Academy editing suite. Play as big names in the ATP & WTA circuits, such as Rafael Nadal and Ash Barty, and manage your career to reach the top. New game modes include reliving legendary matches and creating new challenges with the scenario editor.

Play Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 343 reviews
gameplay30 positive mentions
stability11 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and realistic gameplay experience with a variety of shots and a detailed character creation system.
  • Career mode is engaging, providing a sense of progression and a sunny tennis ambiance.
  • The graphics are impressive, with well-designed player models and environments that enhance the overall experience.
  • The AI difficulty is poorly balanced, leading to either overly easy or frustratingly hard matches, with the AI rarely making unforced errors.
  • There are numerous bugs and glitches, including issues with player movement and the game freezing during matches.
  • The online multiplayer experience is lacking, with connectivity issues and a small player base making it difficult to find matches.
  • gameplay87 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its mechanics and risk-reward system, while others criticize its unrealistic ball physics, clunky player movement, and inconsistent controls. Many users noted a steep learning curve and a need for improvement in animations and AI behavior, but some found enjoyment in the challenge and customization options available. Overall, while there are strong ideas and potential in the gameplay, significant issues detract from the overall experience.

    • “Gameplay is built around a risk-reward system of power and placement.”
    • “The mechanics of how the shots work are great in theory.”
    • “Overall, this game really takes a learning curve but once you master the mechanics it can become very competitive and enjoyable.”
    • “The main 'timing reticule' mechanic is inconsistent, janky, and never properly explained in tutorials.”
    • “Net play is made practically impossible due to the jankiness of the animations and general gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is horrible and so glitchy and unrealistic.”
  • graphics59 mentions

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the detailed character models and animations, as well as the overall visual quality, which is considered superior to other tennis titles. However, some users note issues such as outdated lighting effects and a lack of polish, comparing them to PS2-era graphics. While the visuals are generally deemed good, there is a consensus that there is room for improvement, particularly in refining character models and enhancing the overall graphical fidelity.

    • “The graphics are magnificent, the avatar creation is very detailed, and I always enjoy playing with my little starlet.”
    • “Additionally, the visuals of different venues within the game, the player models, the gear available to players, and the individual court surfaces all exceed any of the other tennis titles that have been released.”
    • “The game mechanics are smooth, the graphics are awesome, the courts are stunning, everything is well made.”
    • “The graphics are from PS2.”
    • “Gameplay is quite good, but it has bad animations and outdated graphics.”
    • “I found the mechanics bad and the graphics unappealing.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and character freezes that disrupt gameplay, particularly in career mode. While some users find the glitches amusing or manageable, the overall consensus highlights a lack of polish and balance, leading to frustrating experiences during critical moments in matches.

    • “It can't be understated enough that this game is buggy, unpolished, and unbalanced.”
    • “I like this game but the glitches and bugs are just too big of a problem.”
    • “But every time I run a game in career mode it crashes (freezes saying it can't load data). Other people have apparently reported this problem as well.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the background soundtracks and vocal effects that enhance the overall experience. While the gameplay may have some limitations, the quality of the music and sound effects, including crowd cheers and racket swings, contribute positively to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is highlighted as a standout feature.

    • “I enjoyed the background music more than the gameplay.”
    • “Great tennis game, great soundtracks, but there are too few gameplay modes.”
    • “The graphics are smoother and the sound is a bit better, especially now that they included a soundtrack.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from its quirky and often frustrating gameplay mechanics, such as unrealistic ball physics and AI glitches that lead to comical moments, like players stumbling or standing still during crucial points. While some players find the humor in these mishaps entertaining, others feel that the issues detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of genuine laughs and moments of frustration that can be amusing, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Nice and funny game.”
    • “There are also some unfixed bugs that force players to stand still instead of returning a ball, leading to very frustrating (or hilarious, when it's the AI doing it) points being lost.”
    • “Or the drop shot which seems to break the AI as even if it is placed where they can get to it, they often run over to it but then just stand there watching it bounce until they do this hilarious sideways stumble like they just missed it.”
  • story6 mentions

    The game's story is polarizing; some players find it non-existent or minimal, likening it to casual games like Temple Run, while others praise it as epic and complex, particularly highlighting the depth of the narrative in Dark Souls.

    • “The story is epic.”
    • “I love how the narrative unfolds, making it feel like I'm playing Temple Run for the story.”
    • “Understanding the story of Dark Souls adds so much depth to the experience.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “It's like playing Temple Run for the story.”
    • “Understanding Dark Souls' story is a challenge.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    While the game offers features like player and venue creation and a career mode that could enhance replayability, the poor execution of these elements diminishes their overall impact, leading to a mixed reception regarding replay value.

    • “infinitely replayable”
    • “infinitely replayable”
    • “While features like the ability to create players and venues, as well as the career mode, add depth, their ham-handed implementation lessens the replay value they provide.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to a frustrating experience, particularly due to AI behavior. While some acknowledge that it reflects the essence of the sport, many feel it detracts from overall enjoyment, making the game feel overly drawn out.

    • “Overall, it's boring, tedious, and drawn out to the point of torture - so I suppose they did capture the essence of the sport.”
    • “It's just too grindy.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization is inconsistent, with some users reporting significant frame rate drops and bugs affecting gameplay, while others find it well-optimized and able to run smoothly on lower-end hardware. Overall, the mixed feedback suggests that optimization issues may hinder the experience for some players.

    • “I like the game; the graphics are okay, and it doesn't consume much resources. It is very well optimized. I have an MSI 1050 Ti 4GB OC, and I can run it at max settings.”
    • “The game is significantly limited by poor optimization, with frequent frame rate drops and bugs. Sometimes your player will just decide not to hit a groundstroke even when you timed your backswing fine, so I have to recommend it with reservations.”
    • “I'm genuinely surprised that a game so recent is optimized so poorly, especially regarding movement, which is everything in tennis.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its immersive qualities, effectively simulating the experience of a real tennis match with features like coin tosses and the ability to challenge umpire calls. However, some users feel that the overall ambiance is too dark, detracting from the experience and suggesting a need for brighter elements.

    • “An immersive atmosphere that makes you feel like you're playing a real tennis match (e.g., there's a coin toss before every match, you can challenge umpire's calls, react to shots, etc.)”
    • “Good atmosphere.”
    • “The interview concept is a good idea, but it feels incomplete. The atmosphere is too dark; where is the light?”
    • “The game lacks a vibrant atmosphere, making it feel lifeless and uninviting.”
    • “While the setting has potential, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is well-received, particularly in career mode, which offers a comprehensive season of tournaments and enhanced character design options. Players appreciate the improved character designer and the initial cash provided to customize and upgrade their characters before gameplay begins.

    • “Career mode is good, with a whole season's worth of tournaments to work through and improve, along with all the usual character design options you expect from Big Ant.”
    • “The character designer for career mode is much better, and I liked that they give you starting cash to choose and upgrade your player before you even start.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by the limited options for character growth; it doesn't feel rewarding.”
    • “The character arcs are predictable and fail to engage me emotionally.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its heavy reliance on advertisements, which are prominently featured both in-game and externally, potentially detracting from the overall experience. Players have noted that purchasing the game for cooperative play may not fully justify the presence of these ads.

    • “A friend and I purchased together to play the co-op double career, which they advertise in several places in the game, even outside of Steam.”
    • “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which detracts from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

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