Rockstar Presents Table Tennis

[Leon Retro]

I received the game yesterday, and went through the training and a few matches. It's a really impressive title. I'm surprised how good the visuals are, they look really slick and crisp, and everything runs like a dream.

I guess some people will destroy me on Live, because it will take some time before I master the game.

Overall... it's a great game, and one I would recommend to everyone!

[Ish]

Hurrah! I finally beat someone on Live this evening. After playing some insane French guy.

[Myth]

I'm now Rank 25 on live at a score of 20W-10L and use Lui Ping unless it's a Jesper against me who I just can't play against when I'm using Lui Ping so then I'll switch to Jesper.

[Tetsuo]

Played this briefly with a friend tonight and thought it was utter toss. Most boring game I've played in a long time

It's achingly simple but in the worst possible way. Obviously if I were to play it more, I'm sure some of the game's "depth" could rear its head, but I found little incentive to play for very long.

[nonny]

Ok. First off great game... the more I play it the more I find out, so here are a few tips which may help people here, particularly when playing certain characters whether AI or online against people.

JESPER

- Stat-whores weapon of choice and a really annoying opponent. Way to overpowered and should be toned down (R* take note) but he is beatable.

- Either (a) pick a character with a similar speed return such as Mark or Sung Loo and then focus on aiming constantly towards his backhand side, never aim to his forehand with a top spin because it will comeback twice as fast and run the risk of priming you for a smash shot.

- Or (b) pick a character with good defense if you can use them. Here Cassidy, Kumi or Juergen are good because the can run around the court quickly and get out of jail... Carmen though, has 100% accuracy meaning she can return everything provided you get in position and dont overhit.

CARMEN

- Similarly Carmen is a tough nut to crack. DO NOT ever start trying to push her wide with spin shots because the angles she can return at will beat everyone in the game if you resort to this tactic. The best way to beat her is to return the ball deep into the court straight up the middle and start to push her back away from the table. Only then should you go for drop shots or a winning return across court.

MARK

- When you use Mark abuse his forehand. Like Jesper this guy has some serious power but he isnt as annoying as Jesper! The topspin on his forehand will put opponents on the back foot allowing you the upper hand to dictate angles for the winning shot.

- Against Mark... DO NOT aim to his forehand. Use back/side spin shots to force him off his guard out wide.

SUNG LOO

- Similar story though Sung Loo is a bit more of a rounded player. His best shot is his fierce backhand returns which react very quickly and he can even quickly change stance to move onto his backhand so watch for it...

SOLAYMAN

- Pretty much my favourite player in the game. An all round player who has good returns for all shots and a fair bit of power as well. His achilles heel is his age and his mobility. If you can use him well and know how to get in position he can compete against anyone.

- Against him your best approach is to make him run, force him wide and then punish him. He cant change direction quickly and alternating returns, mixing up direction and generally unsettling him is key to winning.

LIU PING

- Another great all round player and seriously under valued if used right. He is highly aggressive and mobile. What he lacks in any serious merits in any department. Literally a jack of all trades.

- Best bet to beat him if he is used correctly (or AI on max) is to make every return count. Keep your cool and dont be afraid to be aggressive yourself. Under pressure he tends to make mistakes and if you pick a player you know well use their main assets against him. The more specialised the better.

LUC

- I call this guy the spin doctor. He is a pretty good player but his main attack is back spin which when in focus is pretty lethal if you dont notice it. When returning his backspins never go for side spin and never go near table. Always hit it back deep and either with top or back spin yourself. If you dont you risk not clearing the net.

- When using him, mix up returns put max spin on the ball and when you put back spin on the ball use that time to position yourself for your opponents expected return (see above) so that you can get a better angle on the shot for the win.


Hmmm... I think thats it. Also if you play and win more than 50 matches against the CPU you'll unlock all the characters. A few more tips not focused on one particularl player.

- Positioning is everything. If you stand to either side of the ball on the extreme limit you get a better angle but you of course risk alot in doing this.

- Only go for the winning shot when your opponent is out of position. Watch them closely and use your returns to place them where you need them to be.

- The spin being returned to you is highly important. I am not 100% on this but it seems countering the spin affects the margin for error (ie, overhitting the table). If you hit the return same spin then it makes no difference but if you hit a back spin with a left/right it seems the margin for error is less than half. I believe speed of return also dictates this as well... if in doubt hit topspin as it has next to no risk for clearing the net (if going back court) and it will not have any detrimental effect from the previous spin shot.

- Learn to mix up your shots. Most of the tactics mentioned above for specific characters are one dimensional abuses of attributes but in an online game doing the unexpected is just as effective if not more.

- Learn to mix up your serves. Just as important. Its possible to return any serve (I've yet to come across) but its also possible to ace someone who isnt paying attention to your moves. It is also possible to completely change serve direction mid-serve if you are quick enough. Try lots of variations.

- Learn to react to the over-hit vibration. Getting into the perfect hit-zone is useful for building focus but you run the risk of overhitting. Learning to guage the controller vibration is important as you can counter it to some extent. If you think your about to overhit quickly change aiming direction and it will usually fall in... difficult to master but possible.


Note: I am in no way good at this game but this is pretty much everything I've found so far, most of which is obvious to anyone but might as well share them anyway!

[Jebus]

Played this briefly with a friend tonight and thought it was utter toss. Most boring game I've played in a long time

It's achingly simple but in the worst possible way. Obviously if I were to play it more, I'm sure some of the game's "depth" could rear its head, but I found little incentive to play for very long.

Sorry to disapoint you but there is no depth, at all...its just a few games of table tennis over and over, with many unlockables...hence the price.

[Leon Retro]

Played this briefly with a friend tonight and thought it was utter toss. Most boring game I've played in a long time

It's achingly simple but in the worst possible way. Obviously if I were to play it more, I'm sure some of the game's "depth" could rear its head, but I found little incentive to play for very long.

It's the best Table Tennis game you're likely to get. Like any sports game or competitive title, it has that pick-up and play element to it, but there is a lot of depth to the controls etc.. and mastering the game will take time.

It's not a game I see myself playing in single-player much. Like Pro-Evo etc... it's a sports title that demands 2-Player competition. Like any good 1-on-1 title, the game will shine when two evenly matched people compete.

I'm going to spend some time learning the game, and improving my skill level, before I go on Live. I can't see myself playing it all the time, but it's definitely a ' mood ' title, that will always deliver that manic fast paced competitive rush whenever I desire!

The game is pretty faultless imo.

[Jebus]

I'm suprised you think its "pick up and play" compatible? Maybe to gamers like us (who visit forums and talk about games) but not to the average joe. I think its rather difficult upon first play actually!

I know they explained WHY...but they could have added depth with the ability to play doubles. It's not like anyone was desperately waiting for the game really was it, they could have taken a lot longer to try and implement it. I mean this was announced what, 6-8 months ago? Less? It's almost certainly a budget title (at ?30...jesus) but I suppose as budget titles go it's not bad, I'm almost certain mine will end up in the trade forum in a few months.

I also don't understand why everyone has let them off including some form of career mode, which is a terrible error to not include nowadays!

The trouble is (for me at least) that my gaming habits have changed dramatically...where once I could be going through 5 games at once, now I tend to have one disc in a machine for a few weeks and I play it a lot (or in Oblivion's case it was in there for about 2 months!) and games like this won't stay in there long because (apart from this week) I don't manage to get on live enough and when I do I meet (usually) an American who beats me easily...I'd love to say swiftly but last match this chap had nicely put each game to 21 points!

[Leon Retro]

I'm suprised you think its "pick up and play" compatible? Maybe to gamers like us (who visit forums and talk about games) but not to the average joe. I think its rather difficult upon first play actually!

My Brother is crap at sports games in general, because he's into rpg's and adventures etc.. Well.. I showed him the game, and he sat down and went through a bit of training for a few minutes, then he had a few matches against the cpu, and he really picked things up pretty quick, and was doing some impressive shots etc... He won a few games on normal difficulty, and agreed the game is really good, but one that you would play now and then, rather than everyday!

I'm not bothered about the single-player mode really. The game is very solid on the technical front, and I really like the design of all the components. It really is much better than I imagined it would be, and one of the best 360 around at the moment. Sure, it could have more features etc.. but it still has a lot of fun to offer users of Live!

[Ish]

I also don't understand why everyone has let them off including some form of career mode, which is a terrible error to not include nowadays!

I let them off because I never play the career modes in this sort of game. Not even in my favourite: Virtua Tennis. I always find they just get in the way of the actual action.

[Jebus]

I do appreciate what you guys are saying and the most important thing about a games (still) for me is gameplay and this IS pretty good in that respect but I've only played a few more annoying games when you are completely outclassed (which shouldn't happen really) but an online player OR offline CPU player.

I just think its a game that looks very very good but will become boring very quickly, and for ?30 that could have been avoided with a career mode and doubles matches...

[Ish]

Fair points. Not things I miss as I say. I do think its far better online than off - that probably reinforces your points for many though

[randombs]

for ?30 that could have been avoided with a career mode and doubles matches...

lol that's probably WHY it's ?30. with those it probably would've been ?50 (rrp, before the links to vg+ start pouring in)

[Jebus]

I don't think it's acceptable to release a bare bones game and then claim THAT is why its cheap...how long til they all start doing that? I know thats a drastic claim but you know what I mean.

I think its ?30 because its Table Tennis and therefore it will always be a limited game in that respect...what more can you do with it? It's not like you can have the skills test things like in virtua tennis/top spin with hitting boxes etc, it just wouldn't work. Due to the nature of the sport there is nothign more you can do on the table than play table tennis.

What I'm getting at really is that there was no need for this game to come out so soon, not that there are any bugs I've noticed but why not spend a little longer and have the career mode and doubles...I can only imagine how fun it might have been to have 2 on 2 tournaments with people on here etc.

[peeveen]

Played this over the weekend ... really enjoying it.

I played the Amateur circuit as Lui Ping, and was demolishing every player, even got a double lockout against the American chick. Jesper was a wee bit trickier, but like everyone is saying, backspin soft shots (Y + LB) are the way to go. For a good points winner against him, use a backspin serve, hold the button down until you get maximum spin, but let the power fall to about 25% ... usually about one in four serves like this will result in him knocking it off the table or dumping it into the net.

Online, I played one guy (who used Luc) and hammered him in two games.
Then I played a Jesper, who beat me 11-0.
Then I entered a tournament, and beat everyone hands down except the two Jesper players ... the backspin tactic against the CPU still applies online, but obviously not quite so well. The "focus meter" of Jesper seems to take a bit longer to fill up, presumably because of his lack of spin power, so I hit charged backspin shots, wait for a full meter, hit LT, rinse and repeat. Still lost, but at least managed to put up a fight.