"TopSpin 2K25 Grand Slam® Edition offers a comprehensive tennis experience with various themed packs. Enjoy the Grand Slam® Champions Pack, Under the Lights Pack, New Wave Pack, Rookie Rise Pack, and All Access Pass. Customize your player, rackets, and serve, while gaining boosts and VC. Immerse in major tournaments with exclusive gear and outfits. The Deluxe Edition also provides access to additional content."
The gameplay is fluid and engaging, reminiscent of the classic Top Spin series, making it enjoyable for both casual and competitive players.
The graphics, while not groundbreaking, are decent and the animations are smooth, enhancing the overall tennis experience.
The character customization options are extensive, allowing players to create unique avatars and personalize their gameplay.
The game requires a constant online connection for single-player modes, making it unplayable when servers are down, which has been a frequent issue.
The roster of playable characters is limited, missing many top players like Nadal and Djokovic, which detracts from the overall experience.
Microtransactions are prevalent, with many features and cosmetics locked behind a paywall, leading to a frustrating grind for players.
gameplay
624 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
40%
10%
The gameplay of *Topspin 2k25* has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fluid mechanics and engaging tennis simulation that appeals to both newcomers and veterans. However, criticisms highlight issues such as unbalanced multiplayer, a lack of depth in career mode, and the presence of microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. While the core gameplay is often described as enjoyable and addictive, many players feel that it falls short of the standards set by previous installments in the series, particularly in terms of content and polish.
“This game is easily the best tennis game on the PC and has superbly good gameplay and graphics.”
“The controls are fluid, allowing players to execute precise shots and employ strategic gameplay.”
“The gameplay remains solid, the graphics are still impressive, and the core mechanics are as engaging as ever.”
“Once you become competent with the mechanics, the difficulties are either too easy that you'll never lose a point, or hard enough that every point lasts forever.”
“Don't waste your money on this game unless it's free. Gameplay is not real at all; your 95 speed and 95 power is no match for their 63 and 67, it's broken.”
“The gameplay is mediocre, and the 'bad/good/perfect' mechanic for hitting the ball feels unpolished.”
graphics
276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
52%
19%
The graphics of Topspin 2k25 have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over their quality, particularly for a 2024 release. While some praise the realistic environments and player animations, others criticize the visuals as outdated, cartoonish, and lacking polish, often comparing them unfavorably to previous generations of gaming. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the gameplay may be engaging, the graphics do not meet the expectations set by modern AAA titles.
“Building upon its predecessors, this title presents refined gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and a compelling career mode that keeps players engaged.”
“Topspin 2k25 boasts some of the most impressive visuals seen in a tennis game, with beautifully rendered player models, realistic animations, and lifelike stadiums.”
“The stunning graphics, fluid gameplay, engaging career mode, and solid multiplayer options make it one of the best tennis games available.”
“The graphics are disappointing, especially for a 2024 release.”
“The graphics look really aged and sloppy for a so-called AAA game of 2024; players look cartoonish, the skin looks weird, eyes are dead, bland expressions, etc.”
“Insane input lag online makes the mode unplayable, the graphics look like they are from 10 years ago, and the lack of game modes is insane for a $60 price tag.”
monetization
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
58%
30%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a blatant cash grab due to the overwhelming presence of microtransactions, even after a full-price purchase. While some appreciate the gameplay, the pervasive microtransactions and limited content have left a sour taste, overshadowing the game's potential and leading to frustration among fans. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as exploitative, detracting from what could have been a standout tennis experience.
“The game offered a breath of fresh air in an industry plagued by predatory monetization practices, providing everything a tennis enthusiast could want without any hidden costs or pay-to-win schemes.”
“To me, this is the perfect tennis game and yes, it has microtransactions, etc., but I don't really care about all of that.”
“Topspin2k25: a stellar tennis game marred by unwelcome microtransactions.”
“This game is a massive cash grab that I cannot recommend: 2K's greed has killed Hangar 13's decent work.”
“After playing it a few hours, I have to say: I've never seen a game that is more of a cash grab than this one.”
“Horrific UI, unskippable cutscenes, microtransactions after a $60 game!”
grinding
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding the career mode excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring long hours to progress or unlock characters. While some enjoy the gameplay and the opportunity to improve their player, the overall sentiment is that the grind detracts from the experience, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Additionally, the economic model, which encourages purchasing in-game currency, further exacerbates the grind, leading to frustration among players.
“Career mode is atrociously grindy; no qualifications or players under level 15 means that you have to lose every match. The career mode is unrealistic, with no qualification courts and too arcade-like. The live/economy model is atrocious, and the music is terrible.”
“There could be a great game here, but bad design and economic decisions lead to a boring grinding fest.”
“The in-game mechanics are clunky and joyless, while the out-of-game mechanics are grindy and also not fun, just a poor effort.”
stability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, constant freezes, and graphical glitches that hinder gameplay. While some users note that the game runs well on certain platforms, such as the Steam Deck with tweaks, the overall experience is marred by server issues and a lack of depth in online modes. Regular updates have been promised to address these issues, but many still find the game frustratingly unstable.
“A few months after release, I can definitely recommend this game now if you're a tennis fan. It also runs great on Steam Deck with a few tweaks.”
“Game runs great on my machine with no noticeable bugs.”
“Game runs great.”
“The game is super buggy.”
“Terrible broken game, constantly freezes and has to be force closed.”
“On top of that, constant freezes and disconnects.”
optimization
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
30%
45%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frustrating stuttering and performance issues even on high-end rigs, while others report smooth gameplay on older hardware. Despite some complaints about graphics and texture quality, recent patches have improved performance for many users, suggesting that experiences may vary significantly based on individual setups. Overall, while there are notable optimization challenges, a portion of the player base finds the game runs adequately well.
“Performance after a few patches is now fine.”
“Performance: the game runs smoothly on my somewhat old hardware (RTX 2070, Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB RAM).”
“There doesn't seem to be any major performance issues affecting the majority of the player base.”
“Stuttering issues with a pretty strong rig made the game pretty frustrating to play as well.”
“Only playable on field in Steam Deck, all scenes and menus can't go through smoothly, weird environment rendering and horrible texture filtering, maybe an optimization problem.”
“Badly implemented microtransactions, no friend list or matches with friends, extremely limited doubles options, bare bones MyPlayer and career mode, terrible display options and optimization; the game is just ugly and I can easily keep going.”
story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
73%
20%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of a meaningful narrative, character development, and interactive elements like press conferences or rivalries. While some enjoy the gameplay itself, they acknowledge that the minimal story content, primarily conveyed through background podcasts, fails to enhance the overall experience. Overall, players feel that the game lacks a compelling storyline, making it feel more like a mobile game than a fully developed title.
“Press conferences, some storyline (rise to fame or something like that), maybe even some intro as a junior player that would determine the starting stats of our character.”
“It has a story mode in which you can play a custom-made character to rise to the top, and the character creator is decent enough.”
“My player is no different from just a mobile game like someone else said - there's no story of any kind - there's no mid-match commentary.”
“The only 'exposition' in your story is podcasts that play in the background while you're setting up for a match and they talk about 'an upcoming player.' No press conferences or rivalry drama to speak of, just play and win stuff with terrible cutscenes.”
“- mycareer content is very poor (no story, almost no real players)”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
25%
17%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the upbeat soundtrack and realistic sound effects that enhance the immersive atmosphere. While some players find the soundtrack enjoyable and deserving of recognition, others criticize certain aspects, such as annoying background music in menus and a lack of variety in character representation. Overall, the soundtrack is generally seen as a strong point, contributing positively to the gaming experience.
“The soundtrack complements the game well, featuring upbeat tunes and realistic sound effects that enhance the overall atmosphere during play.”
“You get used to the power bar pretty quickly and the soundtracks made the game even more immersive.”
“Mindgames, risks, large panels of hit and moves, honestly a good immersion with the stadiums, music, and a globally nice atmosphere.”
“Career mode is atrociously grindy, no qualifications or players under level 15 means that you have to lose every match (and career mode is unrealistic, no qualification courts, too arcady), the live/economy model is atrocious, music is atrocious.”
“You need to connect to a 2K account before getting to the main menu (while there is annoying music in the background).”
“But hey, check out the menu soundtracks.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by witty commentary that enhances the match experience and provides context, alongside amusing interactions between players. Many users find themselves laughing at their own gaming blunders, with the game's challenges often leading to a mix of frustration and hilarity. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch, making the experience enjoyable despite its difficulties.
“The commentators provide insightful and occasionally humorous banter, reflecting the energy of the match and offering context for key moments.”
“As a non-professional gamer, I’ve developed a knack for laughing at my own gaming mishaps—good thing, too, because Top Spin 2K25 has been a masterclass in testing my patience and sense of humor.”
“Let's just say it’s a bit like a trust fall where the person catching you is on their phone—laggy, unreliable, and occasionally hilarious in a masochistic way.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by an upbeat soundtrack and realistic sound effects, which work together to immerse players in the experience. The dynamic crowd reactions—cheers and groans based on player performance—further contribute to an engaging and lively environment, whether at Wimbledon or the US Open. Overall, these elements create a captivating atmosphere that keeps players invested in each match.
“The soundtrack complements the game well, featuring upbeat tunes and realistic sound effects that enhance the overall atmosphere during play.”
“Whether you're playing at Wimbledon or the US Open, the crowd's roars of approval, gasps of disbelief, and general atmosphere help immerse you into the game.”
“The crowd cheers and groans, depending on your performance, creating a dynamic atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout each match.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players express a desire for increased replayability through a more extensive roster of playable pro players, as the current limited selection diminishes the game's long-term appeal.
“I wish they would add more playable pro players, as the roster is limited.”
“There are only a few actual pro players that are playable.”
“I wish they would add more playable pro players, as the roster is limited.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a stark contrast in emotional impact, with some players finding the experience challenging, heartbreaking, and ultimately rewarding, while others criticize the dull animations as detrimental to the overall emotional engagement of the game.