AO Tennis 2

The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the detailed avatar creation and overall visual quality, particularly in player models and court designs. However, some users note that the graphics can feel outdated, with comparisons to PS2-era visuals and issues like poor lighting and awkward animations. While the game is considered visually superior to many other tennis titles, it lacks the polish and refinement expected from a next-gen experience.

The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and character freezes that disrupt gameplay, particularly in career mode. Players frequently experience their characters becoming unresponsive during critical moments, leading to frustrating losses. While some users note that certain glitches can be amusing, the overall consensus is that the game is unpolished and requires significant improvements to its stability.

The music in the game has received positive feedback, with players appreciating the quality of the soundtrack and its enhancement of the overall experience. Many users noted that the background music is enjoyable and even more engaging than the gameplay itself, although some expressed a desire for more gameplay modes to complement the strong audio elements. Overall, the sound effects, including vocal cues and crowd cheers, are considered well-executed and contribute to the game's atmosphere.

The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional comedy stemming from bugs and unrealistic gameplay, particularly with AI behavior that leads to amusing moments, such as players stumbling or failing to react to the ball. While some find the humor enjoyable, others criticize it as stemming from poor design rather than intentional comedic elements. Overall, the game offers a blend of frustrating and funny experiences, especially in multiplayer scenarios.

The game's story is polarizing, with some players noting a lack of narrative depth, comparing it to games like Temple Run, while others praise it as epic and complex, particularly in the context of understanding the lore of Dark Souls. Overall, the storytelling experience varies significantly among players.

The game is generally considered to have high replayability due to features like player and venue creation, as well as a career mode. However, the execution of these features is criticized for being clumsy, which detracts from the overall replay value.

The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as frequent frame rate drops and bugs affecting gameplay, particularly in movement and stroke execution. While some players find it runs well on lower-end hardware, the erratic performance and timing system can be frustrating, leading to recommendations with reservations for potential players. Despite these issues, the game's career mode and customization options are praised, making it appealing for dedicated tennis fans willing to overlook the optimization flaws.

Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and drawn out, often describing it as boring and torturous. While some appreciate the game's capture of the sport's essence, the lack of variety in the player roster and repetitive AI behavior contribute to a frustrating experience. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant drawback, though some may still consider it worth purchasing on sale.

The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its immersive qualities, effectively simulating 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 better lighting.

Character development in the game is well-received, particularly in career mode, which offers a comprehensive season of tournaments for players to progress through. The enhanced character designer allows for greater customization, and the inclusion of starting cash enables players to upgrade their characters right from the beginning, enhancing the overall experience.

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 this focus on advertising may influence their enjoyment, especially in cooperative modes.