Sega Superstars Tennis
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS
Reviewed on: PlayStation 3
Rated: E — Everyone
Game type: Sports
Rating: *** 1/2 (out of five)
What’s the premise?
It’s time to hit the hardcourt with the most ferocious competitors to ever hold rackets (no, not the Williams sisters) — the stars of Sega! Use of a mix of good, solid tennis fundamentals and some character-specific trick plays as you battle for your way through exhibition matches and tournaments as Sonic The Hedgehog, Tails, Nights, Gilius (from Golden Axe) and over a dozen more familiar faces.
This game is most similar to…?
The gameplay is based on Sega’s popular Virtua Tennis, so I’ll say that mixed with a little Mario Tennis 64.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
If your kid’s idea of fun is whacking a little yellow ball with a collection of quirky characters, then absolutely.
One player or more?
You can play singles, doubles and variations therein, as well as taking the action online for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
What’s missing?
It’s hard to put your finger on, but somehow the tennis action itself doesn’t seem to play as well as in Virtua Tennis.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
You’ll likely never confuse Alex Kidd for Andy Roddick, so just try to relax and enjoy this fun game without a John McEnroe-esque tirade.
And in the end?
If you’re after a realistic tennis experience, you’d better look somewhere else, but Sega Superstars Tennis does offer a lot to enjoy for those who don’t need to see the sweat on Lindsay Davenport’s forehead to have a good time.
Turning Point: Fall Of Liberty
Publisher: Codemasters
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Rated: T — Teen
Game type: First-person shooter
Rating: ** 1/2 (out of five)
What’s the premise?
Set in an alternate history where Winston Churchill is killed in 1931 and thus the Nazis conquer all of Europe, you take control of a construction worker named Dan Carson, who survives the initial German invasion of New York City and then joins up with the resistance forces to try and retake the home of the brave and the land of the used-to-be free.
This game is most similar to…?
There’re hints of Call Of Duty, a tiny bit of Resistance: Fall Of Man and really something from pretty much every first-person shooter around.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
It’s probably not a bad idea to teach your kid to shoot Nazi soldiers in their neighbourhood on sight, but I’m still not a big fan of giving games with guns to younger games.
One player or more?
You can system link up to eight gamers and go online multiplayer with the same amount.
What’s missing?
The game mechanics kind of suck (making targeting a real pain) and the enemy AI is simply dreadful.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Shoot bad guys. Duck when they shoot at you. Repeat.
And in the end?
The concept for Turning Point is a pretty good one, however the game itself just doesn’t measure up.
